Yet misconceptions persist from decades past, that commodity products such as timber and minerals have the higher economic values to Southern Appalachian communities. In fact, timber benefits in dollars from the national forests nationwide are less than four percent those of outdoor recreation. It seems that everyone is coming to the mountains , and those visitors to the national forests are letting us know what is really important. Recreation visitors increased by seventy-two percent between 1976 and 1991 and the number is expected to double by 2040. Many activities like hiking, paddle sports, biking, hunting, and fishing are increasing at even higher rates.
Visitors are only part of the story.
Businesses and residents are remaining in the region, and new ones are moving here, consciously choosing natural amenities and scenic beauty over income potential. For the same reasons the region is becoming one of the fastest growing retirement areas in the country. It is largely the national forests that surround the Parkway s route that provide the sought-after scenic backdrop. And it is that same scenic backdrop that the movie industry seeks in the region where it spends hundreds of millions of dollars locally on feature movies like Nell and The Last of the Mohicans . The rivers and streams of the region alone, are an invaluable treasure.