Outdoor Recreation Provides Boost to Economy

Here is an interesting press release that might be worth a read with regards to the impact on the economy that outdoor recreation has: Enjoy!

Backwoods CEO Shares Key Findings from 2012 Outdoor Industry Association Report

 $646 Billion Spent on Outdoor Recreation Last Year, Supporting 6.1 Million Jobs 

AUSTIN, Texas (August 13, 2012)—Backwoods’ CEO, Jennifer Mull, a member of the Outdoor Industry Association board today shared key findings from the 2012 Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) report that was released earlier this summer. The report aims to illustrate how outdoor recreation is a larger and more critical sector of the American economy than most people realize. Within the report are facts about the 140 million Americans who spent $646 billion on outdoor recreation last year, supporting 6.1 million jobs for Americans and creating $39.9 billion in federal tax revenue and $39.7 billion in state and local tax revenue. The report outlines the overall impact on the nation, and OIA is now analyzing the data further to create a new report that will be available in early 2013 with valuable statistics on the impact of outdoor recreation broken down by each of the 50 states. Commissioned by the OIA, this report is a follow-up and expansion of the previously distributed document and data from 2006. 

“The findings here show just how important this is [outdoor recreation] to our local and national economy and proves that the outdoor recreation industry can continue to be a growing generator of jobs and serve to strengthen the economy if we make the effort to invest in America’s parks, waters and trails. The research provides valuable insight on why investing in the outdoors benefits the entire community, from the jobs that are created and sustained, to the activities people participate in,” Mull, said. “Not only is the outdoor industry an economic driver and jobs generator, it’s the key supporter of local activities that help fund projects that keep our parks and trails open in the first place.”

Outdoor enthusiasts, as the report states, are not confined to traditional demographics or activity segments, they seek “meaningful” outdoor experiences in their own backyards and in different places across the country. Outdoor recreation includes people of all genders, ages, shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and income levels throughout America. The report points out that garages filled with bicycles, dirt bikes, backpacks, boats, skis, tents, hunting rifles and fishing gear show a continued affinity with the outdoors, even in the midst of The Great Recession the country experienced since the last report from 2006. In fact, an analysis of comparable activities demonstrates that the outdoor recreation economy grew approximately 5 percent annually between 2005 and 2011, when many other industries contracted.

The report takes a conservative approach in tracking direct annual spending by Americans in pursuit of outdoor recreation across 10 activity categories (bicycling, camping, fishing, hunting, motorcycling, off-roading, snow sports, trail sports, water sports and wildlife viewing) and it is not inclusive of every activity that could be recognized as outdoor recreation.

Additional findings from the report are listed below: 

-The $646 billion is divided into two categories, $120.7 billion spent on apparel, footwear, equipment, vehicles, accessories and services, and $524.8 billion spent on food/drink, transportation, entertainment, activities, lodging and souvenirs/gifts.

-More than 725 million annual visits to state parks provided a collective $20 billion to communities surrounding state parks nationwide.

-Nearly 35 million people visit national wildlife refuges, supporting almost 27,000 private sector jobs and producing about $543 million in employment income.

-The National Park Service estimates $32 million would be lost per day if budget cuts shut down the parks.

-Americans spend nearly as much on snow sports ($53 billion) as they do on Internet access ($54 billion).

-Americans spend more on bicycling gear and trips ($81 billion) than they do on airplane tickets and fees ($51 billion).

-Annual consumer spending on outdoor recreation is only third to “financial services and insurance” and “healthcare,” ahead of gasoline, pharmaceuticals and household utilities. 

-More American jobs depend on trail sports (768,000) than there are lawyers (728, 200) in the U.S. 

America is globally recognized as the leader in outdoor recreation. Advancements in technical apparel, footwear and equipment for outdoor activities are driving innovation and entrepreneurism, while creating a demand for highly skilled workers in areas like technology product design, manufacturing, sustainability and global commerce. These advancements have lead to diverse career opportunities that exist beyond product-related jobs. When Americans spend time in the outdoors, their spending directly supports professions like guides and outfitters, lodging operators, park managers and rangers, concessionaires, small business owners and many more.

“Our focus at Backwoods has always been getting individuals and families more involved in opportunities to explore the natural resources in their own backyards and across the globe,” Mull, said. “By choosing to spend more time outdoors, you’re not only creating memories that will last a lifetime, your financial support helps generate economic security and sustainability for generations to come.”

The report reminds readers that outdoor recreation is a growing and diverse economic sector that is a vital cornerstone of successful communities that should not be ignored and that the economic, social and health benefits of outdoor recreation are undeniable.