Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) released its Economic Impact report as a part of the annual Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report series.
The report, the tenth and final report in the series, dives into the economic impact of camping, from benefits to barriers. It shows that spending habits paired with desired experiences from outdoor enthusiasts generate many benefits to local economies, including supporting small businesses, increasing taxable revenue and supporting job growth.
By continuing to innovate and adapt to changing consumer preferences, the outdoor hospitality industry is not only strengthening its economic position but also playing a vital role in connecting people with nature. As the sector grows, it has the potential to create lasting positive impacts on both the environment and the local economies. While the industry has grown substantially in the past decade, there are still barriers to camp, the topmost being weather, knowledge of the outdoors and financial security.
“Campgrounds across North America are key partners in their communities, driving visitation and strengthening local economies,” said KOA President and CEO Toby O’Rourke. “Not only is camping growing, but our report finds that campers feel camping is an affordable option to travel. This is especially relevant today when people overwhelmingly are concerned about the economy.”
Key report findings:
- This past year, campers increased their average daily spend by $28 per person, spending $156 per person, per day. This amount increases by camper, with glampers and families spending more.
- It is estimated that campers spent about $49 billion in local communities during their trips.
- The future looks bright. Eight-in-10 campers suggest that they plan to either increase or keep their camping trips consistent. Not only are more people experiencing the outdoors, but they are spending more days outside. The number of active camping households that camp three or more times annually has increased by 98% since 2014.
To view the full 2024 Economic Impact report, visit http://koa.uberflip.com/i/1529238-2024-koa-c-oh-economic-impacts/0?. The Camping & Outdoor Hospitality series of reports are available at KOAPressroom.com.
The results of the most recent iteration of the North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report are based on a total of 4,100 surveys completed among a random sample of U.S. (n=2,900) and Canadian (n=1,200) households.
