TREAD Agency

Economic Data for 2021 Shows Record-Breaking Numbers for Outdoor Industry

A new report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2021 found that the national outdoor recreation economy outperformed the overall economy, growing by 18.9% compared to the national economic average growth of 5.9%. The report attributed $862 billion in economic output to outdoor recreation and 4.5 million jobs. 

A few of the highlights that came out of the report:

• $862 billion in economic output
• 1.9% of GDP
• 4.5 million jobs created

Trips and travel coming back, record sales in many outdoor segments, manufacturing increasing, and the drive to continue to recreate for quality of life allowed our industry to bounce back from the effects of COVID-19 in 2020.

This is the fifth year that the data has been released. “The BEA data underscores how important it is to invest in public lands, waters, and recreation infrastructure from coast to coast and for recreation activities of all types,” said Jessica Turner, President of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR). “From creating jobs and increased profit for small businesses in local economies to larger boons to our national economy, this sector is a consistent driver, even in times of economic uncertainty. The strength of the outdoor recreation economy reflects what many in the industry have long known to be true. There are infinite benefits that come from more people spending time outdoors, and they’ll only grow with continued investment.”

Read “What They’re Saying – Outdoor Recreation Leaders on New BEA Data.”