By Lynne Adkins

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Tourists are spending a lot of money in Philadelphia when visiting the national parks.

The latest figures show that in Philadelphia visitors to the local National Parks were quite valuable to the local economy, according to Jane Cowley, spokeswoman for Independence National Historical Park.

“We have three national park units; Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko national memorial and the Edgar Allan Poe national historic site and combined 3. 6 million visitors spend a little over $150 million a year and that goes to support 2100 jobs in the local area.”

She says the money supports local jobs in hotels, restaurants, retail and transportation.