Outdoor recreation industry added $13.6B to Pa. economy in 2021
Pennsylvania has the sixth-largest outdoor recreation economy in the nation
By Cassie Miller – Capital-Star
HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania’s booming outdoor recreation industry continued to grow in 2021, according to new data.
A report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that outdoor recreation contributed $13.64 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy, including 152,000 jobs, and 1.6 percent of the commonwealth’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Outdoor recreation continues to be a thriving and significant industry within the commonwealth and this data helps us better understand what we are doing well, while also providing guidance on where we can grow this industry for its own sake and to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians.” Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner said. “Unlike economic development through other industries, development through outdoor recreation also stimulates physical health, mental wellbeing, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability.”
The $13.6 billion outdoor recreation added to the GDP is a 22 percent increase from 2020.
Nationally, outdoor recreation generates $862 billion in economic output, accounting for approximately 3 percent of all jobs in America.
“The BEA data underscores how important it is to invest in public lands, waters and infrastructure for all types of recreation in Pennsylvania,” Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, said.
