The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy

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The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy

• A 730 Billion Annual Contribution to the US
  Economy

Amy Roberts Outdoor Industry Association
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Data Sources Methods

• Harris Interactive 14,000 completed surveys,
  (U.S. Census Bureau for wildlife-related
  activities)
• Scientifically adjusted to reflect the general
  U.S. population
• Economic impacts by IMPLAN
• Developed for the U.S. Forest Service, now used
  actively by over 1,500 agencies, universities
  businesses. Based on U.S. Census Labor
  statistics.
• Methods and results reviewed by panels of
  researchers and independent academics

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What is Included in Active Outdoor Recreation?

• 8 Activity Categories
• Bicycling - Paved-road and Off-road
• Camping - RV and Tent camping at a campsite
  Rustic lodging
• Fishing - Recreational fly and Recreational
  non-fly
• Hunting - Shotgun, Rifle, and Bow
• Paddling Kayaking (recreational, sea,
  whitewater), Rafting, Canoeing
• Snow sports Downhill skiing, Snowboarding,
  Cross-country/ Nordic, Snowshoeing
• Trail Trail running, Day hiking, Backpacking,
  Rock Climbing
• Wildlife Viewing Bird watching, Other wildlife
  watching

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Active Outdoor Recreation EconomySnapshot

• Contributes 730 billion to the US economy
• Generates 289 billion annually in retail sales
  and services across the U.S.
• Touches over 8 percent of Americans personal
  consumption expenditures more than 1 in every 12
  dollars circulating in the economy

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Active Outdoor Recreation EconomySnapshot (cont)

• Generates 88 billion in annual state and
  national tax revenue
• Supports nearly 6.5 million jobs across the U.S.
• Provides sustainable growth in rural communities

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Who Drives the Recreation Economy?

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Active Outdoor Recreation Retail Sales
State of the Industry Report
2006

• Americans spend 289 billion on outdoor gear and
  trips
• 46 billion on active outdoor recreation gear
• Equipment, apparel, footwear, accessories,
  services
• 243 billion on outdoor recreation trips
• Day and overnight
• Food and drink, transportation, lodging,
  entertainment/activities, souvenirs/ gifts/ misc.

Over half of recreation visits to National
Forests are day trips
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The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy Employs
America

• Active Outdoor Recreation supports 6.5 million
  jobs
• one in 20 Americans make a living from economic
  activity stimulated by the Recreation Economy
• Sustainable, career oriented jobs
• Affects all of Americas major economic sectors
• From leisure and hospitality to manufacturing

Camp-based recreation could employ the entire
state of Utah
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Jump-Starting Rural Economic Development

• According to the US Department of Agriculture,
• rural tourism and recreational development
• Spikes employment growth rates
• Buoys earnings and income levels
• Lowers local poverty rates
• Shepherds improvements in local educational
  attainment and health
• Creates sustainable, balanced economic
  development

The sales tax revenue of Fruita (CO) has
increased by 51 over the past 5 years
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Colorado Recreation Economy

• Contributes over 10 billion annually to
  Colorados economy
• Supports 107,000 jobs across Colorado
• Generates nearly 500 million in annual state tax
  revenue
• Produces 7.6 billion annually in retail sales
  and services across Colorado
• accounting for 4 of gross state product

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Idaho Recreation Economy

• Supports 37,000 jobs across Idaho
• Generates 154 million in annual state tax
  revenue
• Produces 2.2 billion annually in retail sales
  and services across Idaho more than
• 5 of gross state product

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Montana Recreation Economy

• Contributes over 2.5 billion annually to
  Montanas economy
• Supports 34,000 jobs across Montana
• Generates 118 million in annual state tax
  revenue
• Produces nearly 2 billion annually in retail
  sales and services across Montana
• accounting for 7.5 of gross state product

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Nevada Recreation Economy

• Supports nearly 20,000 jobs across Nevada
• Generates 116 million in annual state tax
  revenue
• Produces 1.8 billion annually in retail sales
  and services across Nevada

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Oregon Recreation Economy

• Contributes more than 5.8 billion annually to
  Oregons economy
• Supports 73,000 jobs across Oregon
• Generates 310 million in annual state tax
  revenue
• Produces 4.6 billion annually in retail sales
  and services across Oregon
• - accounting for 3.4 of gross state product

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Utah Recreation Economy

• Contributes 5.8 billion annually to Utahs
  economy
• Supports 65,000 jobs across Utah
• Generates nearly 300 million in annual state tax
  revenues
• Produces nearly 4 billion annually in retail
  sales and services across Utah
• accounting for almost 5 of gross state
  product

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Washington Recreation Economy

• Contributes more than 11.7 billion annually to
  Washingtons economy
• Supports 115,000 jobs across Washington
• Generates 650 million in annual state tax
  revenue
• Produces 8.5 billion annually in retail sales
  and services across Washington
• accounting for 3.5 of gross state product

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Trends in Active Outdoor Recreation Participation
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Industry Snapshot Participation
Americas Favorite Outdoor Activities
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Whats HotWhats Not

• Majority of growth in participation in specific
  activities
• Canoeing
• Snowshoeing
• Trail running
• Kayaking
• Free-heel skiing
• Slower growth
• Backpacking
• Multi-day trips

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Whos Playing? Women
State of the Industry Report
2006

• Favorite activities for women biking, hiking,
  fishing, trailrunning
• Women make 80 of family spending and vacation
  decisions.
• Motivators are personal growth, social,
  relaxation, escape
• Women have shorter blocks of leisure time done
  by lunch
• Attract the Mom, and you have the family

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How Youth Get Active

• 90 of active adults were introduced to
  activities before 18
• Younger children are introduced by the
  parents/family
• Teens also influenced by
• mentors and groups
• Millennials are
• multi-cultural/multi-racial
• Need mentor chains that reflect who they are

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What Americas Youth Likes To Do OutsideFavorite
Outdoor Activities - Age 6 to 17 years of age
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The Challenge Keep Kids Outside
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Attitudes about Active Outdoor Recreation
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Personal Attitudes

• 2 out of 3 Active Americans agree that it is more
  important to protect NPS resources than allow for
  expanded uses like off-road vehicles and the
  building of man-made structures.
• 67 want the National Park Service to favor
  maintaining the natural beauty of the park and
  protecting its air and water quality over
  man-made additions.
• 64 want the National Park Service to place a
  higher importance on human powered activities
  such as hiking, biking, paddling and camping over
  motorized activities such as off-road vehicle use
  and personal watercraft use.
• 2 out of 3 active Americans expect a lack of
  corporate presence (billboards, signage,
  corporate sponsorship, establishments)

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Personal Attitudes

• OUTDOOR RECREATION
• 80 of participants say that outdoor activities
  decrease stress, promote feelings of
  accomplishment and make them feel younger
• 50 use outdoor recreation at their main form of
  exercise
• Strengthens family relationships (79)