The U.S. economic impact of the outdoor industry has exceeded the trillion-dollar mark for the first time.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis late last week released economic data from its Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account for 2022, showing the outdoor industry generated $1.1 trillion in economic output for the United States, up 19% from 2021.
“The state of the outdoor recreation economy is strong, and sustained investment in outdoor recreation and our shared public lands and waters pays dividends for our local and national economies and quality of life,” said Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, in a news release. “Our industry continues to provide benefits to communities across the country – big, small, urban, and rural alike.”
“Outdoor recreation is not only a source of physical and mental health benefits but also a key driver of job creation and economic development for rural and urban communities alike,” said Taldi Harrison, director of community and government affairs for REI Co-op. “The latest findings from the Bureau of Economic Analysis underscore the importance of continued investments in public lands, recreation infrastructure, and reducing barriers to increase participation.” Click here to read the entire article.