The Bureau of Economic Analysis has new data showing the massive economic impact of the leisure economy, which is particularly pronounced in the West.
The outdoor recreation economy includes activities such as boating, skiing, camping and ATV riding. Last year it accounted for 2.2 percent of the country’s GDP – or about $560 billion.
This number increased by 4.8 percent compared to the previous year, well above the overall economy. However, the increase was also much slower than the jump in 2021.
In many Western states – such as Montana, Wyoming and Utah – the recovery’s share of the economy was significantly higher than the national rate.
“I think the data we saw today shows how valuable they have been to every state’s economy,” said Chris Perkins of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, which represents the industry. “But it goes without saying that the Mountain West and western United States have a high concentration of public lands and waters that support recreational activities.”
Wyoming, Colorado and Nevada saw the largest year-over-year increases in the value of recreational activities, all at near or above 20 percent.
This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, KUNC in Colorado and KANW in New Mexico, with support from partner stations throughout the region. The Mountain West News Bureau is funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
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