Measuring the outdoor recreation economy for the nation, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia. New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) statistics shows that outdoor recreation accounted for 2.2% ($563.7 billion) of current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) for the nation in 2022. “The strong data from BEA are in sync with our own sales numbers showing continued and immense consumer interest in outdoor recreation with powersports vehicles,” said MIC President and CEO Erik Pritchard. “In fact, our data demonstrates dual-sport motorcycles have doubled in sales since 2016, and off-road motorcycle sales are on a significant growth trajectory.”
A recent Outdoor Recreation Roundtable webinar – which included the MIC's Scott Schloegel, senior vice president at the Government Relations Office – reviewed some of the 2022 data, showing that outdoor recreation:
• Accounted for 2.2% of America's gross domestic product
• Accounted for 3.2% of U.S. employment
• Grew at a rate of 4.8% compared to 1.9% for the U.S. economy
• Doubled its job growth compared to that of the U.S. economy
“This analysis demonstrates outdoor recreation's powerful and positive economic impact on the U.S. economy and jobs as the nation continued to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic and Americans continued to prioritize time outside,” the ORR stated.
“Having annual data from BEA will help legislators understand the significant economic impact that the outdoor recreation industry brings to our nation, and why investments to protect and grow access to public lands and waters is essential to the health of America and Americans,” adds Pritchard. “It also proves that big dividends come from federal funding for programs like the Recreational Trails Program, which benefits motorized and non-motorized recreational interests for people of all abilities.”
RVing was the largest conventional activity for the nation at $35.5 billion. Boating/fishing was the second-largest conventional activity for the nation at $32.4 billion. Motorcycling/ATVing was the third-largest conventional activity for the nation at $11.5 billion in current-dollar value added and was the largest conventional activity in Wisconsin. The states with the largest contributions were Wisconsin ($1.1 billion), California ($1.0 billion) and Texas ($877.4 million).
Additionally, snow activities for the nation accounted for $7.0 billion in current-dollar value added and was the largest conventional activity in three states. The states with the largest contributions were Colorado ($1.4 billion), California ($688.2 million) and Utah ($601.8 million). See the full findings here:
https://www.bea.gov/news/2023/outdoor-recreation-satellite-account-us-and-states-2022