Covid-19 Impacts on the Outdoor Recreation Economy

In partnership with the Oregon State University Outdoor Recreation Economy Initiative

Just a few short months ago outdoor recreation was growing faster than almost any other industry, contributed over $778 billion to the U.S. economy and employed over 5.2 million Americans. Now, 79 percent of outdoor businesses have had to lay off or furlough employees and 89 percent are seeing decreased revenue.

According to the US Census Bureau which measured Covid-19 impacts on small businesses, 75 percent of small business in our category are reporting large and negative effects. Overall, we have been hit 31 percent harder than the national average, making us the second most affected sector in the country behind ‘food and accommodation’. - (U.S. Census Bureau Small Business Pulse Survey).

Action is needed on smart policies and investments that will save the outdoor recreation economy so this sector can do what it does best – revitalize communities, create jobs, support healthy people, improve quality of life and provide access to amazing outdoor experiences for generations to come.

Data on Covid-19 Effects by Industry

Recreation by Industry

Respondent’s Market Share

*Number of Trade Association
Employees

*Number of Member
Businesses

*Number of Member Business
Employees

*Association annual revenue (2019)

*Industry annual revenue (2019)

Workforce Survey Results

Has the global coronavirus pandemic disrupted your industry's supply chain and/or distribution of product?

  • 91 percent are experiencing difficulty with production and distribution
  • 48 percent experiencing significant impacts
  • *A decrease from our previous survey in May.*

What percentage of your industry businesses’ employees have been furloughed or laid off?

  • Reported furloughed/layoffs have decreased.
How have industry members employment needs changed when compared to last year's employment needs?

  • 47 percent of our member’s businesses have laid off or furloughed a portion of their workforce
  • 36 percent of businesses are reporting they are hiring and more employees are needed
  • * This is the first uptick in hiring reported amongst our membership since the start of the pandemic.*

83 percent of ORR’s Members Depend on Seasonal Employment

Covid-19 impacts on seasonal hiring:

How have sales and revenue changed for your association and for your members?

Trade Assocations

  • 70 percent report a decrease in revenue
  • 13 percent seeing a decrease of 50-75 percent or greater
  • 9 percent reporting an increase compared to one year ago

Industry Businesses

  • 65 percent of outdoor industry businesses are experiencing a decrease in sales
  • 17 percent seeing a decrease of 50-75 percent or greater
  • 22 percent of businesses are reporting an increase compared to one year ago
How have budgets and expenses changed for your association and for your members?

  • 50 percent of trade associations and industry businesses are reporting a sustained tightening of their budgets compared this time last year
  • 4 percent of industry businesses have reported in increase in their budgets compared to this time last year

Associations' Specific Results

What percentage of your trade association's employees have been furloughed or laid off?
  • 46 percent of our trade associations businesses have laid off or furloughed a portion of their workforce
  • *This is a sustained level from our previous survey.*

How trade associations needs for employment have changed when comparing the month surveyed to last year's employment needs.

Trade associations are reporting improving conditions with an increase in hiring while temporary furloughs are decreasing compared to May, however there is still an increase in layoffs compared to this time last year.

ORR Tweets

Participating Trade Associations

Data Disclaimer

*This interactive web dashboard enables users to track the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) workforce survey.The supporting dataset is collected monthly and uploaded into this web application. The data displayed is reflective of the answers and estimates provided by the participating associations.