High gas prices and an unstable economy are largely to blame for continually falling visitation to the Vicksburg National Military Park – the city’s No. 1 attraction – park officials speculate. However, the city’s other attractions have yet to feel the effects, although some expect a downturn in tourism is inevitable.

“It’s a combination of factors,” said Terry Winschel, park historian. “Gas prices, the state of the economy, the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the hectic lifestyles Americans lead these days all leave a very narrow window for people to take family vacations.”

Visitation at the park from January through April is down 36 percent from last year, but only down 8.6 percent from 2006. National parks across the country have been netting fewer and fewer tourists each year since 2000, with attendance down about 3 percent overall.

Visitation to Vicksburg’s other top tourist stops – the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, Old Court House Museum and the Battlefield Museum – were all up from January through March compared to last year. April statistics for all attractions are not yet available. Old Court House Museum Curator and Director Bubba Bolm said he anticipates visitation will begin to slump this summer.

By the numbersVisitation to the Vicksburg National Military Park:JanuaryFebruaryMarchApril200829,73035,54355,33567,126200728,54342,473103,782119,074200637,22434,52764,72669,046″There could be a big drop-off in June and July solely because of gas prices,” he said. “April and May are usually big months due to school groups taking end-of-the-year trips, but after that I’m sure we’re going to start feeling the effects.”

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gas is $3.79 nationwide, compared to a $3.11 a year ago and $2.90 in 2006. The flooding Mississippi River is also partially to blame for down numbers in April at the VNMP, as river cruise ships were unable to dock in Vicksburg from April 1 through May 14. The ships carry an average of 300 tourists, many of whom tour the park and other attractions in the city. Some were bused from boat dockings in Natchez – but that was optional for travelers.

Winschel said higher admission rates may also be a factor in lower visitation. “Even a small rise in admission almost excludes a large number of families in America,” he said.

By a congressional mandate, all national parks began charging entrance fees in 1988. Since then, admission per vehicle has gone from $3 to $8.

Annual visitation numbers at the park have been consistently falling over the past decade. Slightly more than 1 million visitors toured the park in 1998 and 1999, and numbers topped 900,000 each year since until 2005, when about 703,000 visitors were counted. In 2006, roughly 676,000 visited the park, and attendance saw a slight increase last year with approximately 699,000 visiting.

VNMP Superintendent Monika Mayr said although visitation is down considerably from last year in the past two months, sales in the book store are only down by 13 percent.

In an attempt to drive up attendance and broaden the parks appeal, the VNMP and Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau are collectively promoting the battlefield as a place for art enthusiasts to visit. It has been estimated the value of the approximately 1,300 statues, monuments, busts and bronzes in the park and throughout Vicksburg is somewhere in the ballpark of $3 to $4 billion.

“There are, I believe, 73 Tiffany bronzes in total, which is an unbelievable collection in it’s own right,” said VCVB Executive Director Bill Seratt. “Some of the leading artists and foundries in America created the works in the park, and we think there’s a demographic who would really enjoy knowing more about them.”

The VCVB is in the beginning stages of developing a brochure promoting the works of art in the park, which Seratt said should be ready in a few months. Last week, the park began featuring a book in its book shop that highlights the art history of the park.

“We’re trying to expand our themes,” said Mayr. “The book and the companion brochure the VCVB is putting together will hopefully attract visitors who wouldn’t otherwise visit the park.”