In its latest report on the state of the outdoor industry,
the Outdoor Industry Association shows once again how important the outdoors
are to the United States
economy. That includes off-roading, motorcycle riding and snowmobiling.
For example, according to the OIA's report, outdoor
recreation participants annually spend $13 billion on gear, accessories and
vehicles for off-roading. Add another $53 billion for trip-related sales and
the total is $66 billion. See page 17 of the attached report for even more
economic figures.
Here are some highlights of OIA's report, "The Outdoor
Recreation Economy:"
Economic Benefits:
- 6.1 million American jobs
- $646 billion in outdoor recreation spending each year
- $39.9 billion in federal tax revenue
- $39.7 billion in state/local tax revenue
This comes from the report's introduction:
"Much has changed since 2006 when Outdoor Industry
Association commissioned the first economic study on outdoor recreation in the United States.
The Great Recession radically altered consumer spending habits, unemployment
reached its highest level in decades, and federal and state deficits resulted
in massive spending cuts.
"Yet, more than 140 million Americans made outdoor
recreation a priority in their daily lives, proving it with their wallets by
putting $646 billion of their hard-earned dollars right back into the economy.
Even better, this spending directly results in highly sought-after jobs for 6.1
million Americans.
"At the core of the outdoor recreation economy is the outdoor
consumer, whose diverse interests fuel a robust and innovative industry.
Today's outdoor lovers aren't confined to traditional demographics or activity
segments. They seek meaningful outdoor experiences in their backyards and in
the backcountry. They are all genders, ages, shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and
income levels. They live throughout America, and they view outdoor recreation
as an essential part of their daily lives. They fill their garages with
bicycles, dirt bikes, backpacks, boats, skis, tents, hunting rifles and fishing
gear. This is redefining the outdoor industry, an evolution that is evident in
the growth of sales and jobs since 2006.
"In short, outdoor recreation is a growing and diverse
economic super sector that is a vital cornerstone of successful communities
that cannot be ignored. Most importantly, outdoor recreation is no longer a
"nice to have," it is now a "must have" as leaders across the country recognize
the undeniable economic, social and health benefits of outdoor recreation."
The full report is included in the attached PDF.
