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This data shows that people continued to venture into the outdoors for health, wellness, and adventure in record numbers last year as businesses across the industry worked to expand participation and bring more people into the outdoors.
ANOKA, Minn. — Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO), the parent company of 41 renowned brands that design, manufacture and market sporting and outdoor lifestyle products to consumers around the globe, today joined other outdoor industry companies in celebrating the latest economic data for 2021, which showcased outdoor recreation’s powerful and positive impact on the U.S. economy.
According to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), outdoor recreation generates $862 billion in economic output, 1.9 percent of national GDP and 4.5 million jobs. This means the outdoor recreation economy contributes more to the U.S. economy than oil and gas extraction, mining, and agriculture. The report includes national and state level data.
According to the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), which published an in-depth report on the news, this is the fifth consecutive year that BEA has released government data on this critical industry sector, which has played a vital economic and social role throughout the pandemic, has since sustained remarkable growth, and continued to bolster local economies.
“The latest BEA numbers are a testament to the power of outdoor recreation, and we are thrilled to see our industry’s economic impact grow,” said Chris Metz, Vista Outdoor CEO and a member of ORR’s CEO Council. “This data shows that people continued to venture into the outdoors for health, wellness, and adventure in record numbers last year as businesses across the industry worked to expand participation and bring more people into the outdoors. The goal now: Build on that momentum. We will stay focused on increasing access to public lands, building more recreation infrastructure and growing participation across all outdoor activities.”
ORR noted the outdoor recreation economy has come back stronger than ever after the COVID-19 pandemic — up 25 percent from $689 billion in 2020 — and remains a steady source of strength nationally and a booming job creator locally.
“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 ORR. “From the creation of 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.”
Vista Outdoor is a proud supporter of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations representing the $862 billion outdoor recreation economy. ORR focuses on the growth of outdoor recreation by building a better environment for the sustainable growth of outdoor recreation businesses and driving a broader understanding of the value of the outdoor recreation economy.
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About Vista Outdoor Inc.
Vista Outdoor (NYSE: VSTO) is the parent company of more than three dozen renowned brands that design, manufacture and market sporting and outdoor products. We serve a broad and diverse range of consumers around the globe, including outdoor enthusiasts, golfers, cyclists, backyard grillers, campers, hunters, recreational shooters, athletes, as well as law enforcement and military professionals. Our reporting segments, Outdoor Products and Sporting Products, provide these consumers with a wide range of performance-driven, high-quality and innovative outdoor and sporting products. Our operating model leverages shared resources across brands to achieve levels of excellence and performance that would be out of reach for any one brand on its own. Brands include Bushnell, CamelBak, Bushnell Golf, Foresight Sports, Fox Racing, Bell Helmets, Camp Chef, Giro, Simms Fishing, QuietKat, Stone Glacier, Federal Ammunition, Remington Ammunition and more. Vista Outdoor products are sold at leading retailers and distributors across North America and worldwide. For news and information, visit our website at www.vistaoutdoor.com.