Business

Outdoor recreation contributes$730B to economy

By Joanne Kelly
Salem News
Published: September 19, 2006

From birdwatchers to mountain bikers, the active set accounts for almost $300 billion in annual retail sales and contributes more than twice that to the U.S. economy, according to a Boulder, Colo.,-based trade group.

Outdoor recreationists shell out $46 billion a year on the gear they need to hit the woods, the rivers and the slopes, according to a recent report by the Outdoor Industry Foundation. But they spend five times that much ($243 billion) on all the extras - food, lodging, entertainment and transportation.

"We've always known we have a larger economic impact - now we have the data to support it," said Kim Coupounas, board chairman of the Outdoor Industry Association and co-founder and CEO of GoLite, a Boulder-based apparel and gear maker.

The study does more than measure retail sales. It also tracks the "ripple effects" of the spending. In all, it estimates active outdoor recreation pumps $730 billion annually into the U.S. economy.

Among other findings:

* The industry supports about 6.5 million jobs.

* Annual tax revenues add up to $88 billion a year.

The trade group hopes the fresh statistics, the most comprehensive report it has commissioned, will help it make a stronger case for protecting the wilds from development, oil drilling and the like.

"The purpose is really to show the economic importance of outdoor recreation - we're a force," said Clint Wall, research director for the outdoor industry group. "That might change the dynamic in Washington."

Wall said the group wanted to take a "conservative" approach to defining the sector's economic impact. It left out sales of some vehicles, boats and other big-ticket items such as second homes and cabins.

The study showed three-quarters of Americans take part in outdoor recreation.

Topping the list of avid outdoors' types: wildlife viewing participants. Birding fanatics have been a boon to the segment, which attracted 66 million people last year.

Biking ranked second, with 60 million people taking part. Those taking to the trails for running, hiking, rock climbing or backpacking total 56 million a year.

By the numbers, outdoor recreation's impact in the U.S.

* $46 billion: Annual sales of clothing, gear and accessories

* $243 billion: Outdoor recreation trips involving food, lodging, entertainment and transportation

* $730 billion: The total amount the sector winds up contributing to the economy

Participants:

* 66 million: Wildlife viewing

* 60 million: Bicycling

* 56 million: Hiking, other trail activities

* 45 million: Camping

* 33 million: Fishing

* 24 million: Paddling

* 16 million: Snow sports

* 13 million: Hunting

Source: Outdoor Industry Foundation, Fall 2006 Report