ARRA (Americans For Responsible Recreational Access) reports that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) confirmed what many in the outdoor recreation community have suspected: America’s entire outdoor recreation industry had a record-breaking year in 2021. Headed by activities like boating, RVing and ATVs, the new data shows that outdoor recreation generates $862 billion in economic output. Outdoor recreation also generates 4.5 million jobs (3% of employment) and saw an inflation-adjusted gross domestic product for the outdoor recreation economy increase of 18.9% last year — topping the 5.9% increase in the overall U.S. economy.
“These new numbers from the BEA demonstrate beyond a doubt exactly how the outdoor recreation industry has created a strong and resilient base for our country’s economy,” explained Mike Passo, Executive Director of American Trails. “Trails of all stripes, including motorized, hiking, biking, equestrian and water trails, form the base upon which the outdoor recreation economy is built. American Trails is proud of all that trails do for our country—they move hearts, people, communities and economies.”
Specifically BEA listed motorcycling and ATV riding (including UTVs) as the nation’s fourth largest “conventional outdoor recreation” activity for 2020-2021, with $8.1 billion in current-dollar value added for the economy – up from $7.3 billion the previous year. Snowmobiling added an additional $2.2 billion in current-dollar value. “Outdoor recreation has been a bright spot throughout the pandemic – and continues to show growth,” added Christine Jourdain, Executive Director of the American Council of Snowmobile Associations. “The recent BEA data confirms what the outdoor recreation enthusiasts have known; life is better when you’re outdoors having fun with friends and family.”
“To those of us in the powersports industry, these are not surprising numbers… We’ve seen outdoor recreation giving a real boost to America’s economy during the pandemic as more people throw a leg over a motorcycle or ATV or get behind the wheel of a side-by-side to enjoy family time in the beautiful outdoors,” concluded Erik Pritchard, President and CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Council. “The BEA data confirms that communities large and small, from all corners of America, benefit from outdoor recreation. We’re proud to be part of the responsible recreators who are generating nearly a trillion dollars in economic value across the country.”
On November 15, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable hosted a reception in the Kennedy Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building, to celebrate the data released by BEA. The event was well attended by representatives from the outdoor recreation community, members of Congress, and staff. Senators Manchin (D-WV), Heinrich (D-NM), and Braun (R-IN) spoke about their passion for outdoor recreation and the need for bipartisan efforts to advance outdoor recreation legislation. Additional speakers included Mark Keam, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration; Glenn Hughes, President, American Sportfishing Association; Luis Benitez, Vice President for Government Affairs and Global Impact, VF Corp; and J. Daryl Anthony, Director, Maryland Office of Outdoor Recreation.