The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable submitted comments to the U.S. Tourism Policy Council and International Trade Administration on a national travel and tourism strategy currently under development.
The strategy will create pathways for visitors to enjoy outdoor resources. ORR highlighted American public lands and waters as its priority in the strategy.
“Outdoor recreation creates opportunities for economic development, physical and mental health, community bonding, family experiences, job creation, and climate solutions,” wrote ORR. “In activities including boating, fishing, hiking, biking, climbing, hunting, camping, RV/motorized use, and more, outdoor recreation is more popular than ever.”
The Roundtable’s comments outlined specific ways it would like the Federal Government to address tourism and travel in the U.S.
First, ORR advocated for investments into outdoor recreation opportunities on public lands and waters, and in the communities supporting them. The group noted that in 2020, national parks alone added $28.6 billion to the nation’s economy and accounted for 234,000 jobs. However, ORR said, enjoying places like these is no guarantee—they rely on high-quality outdoor recreation infrastructure like roads, campgrounds, and visitor centers in addition to the infrastructure supporting those opportunities.
Read the full comments submitted by ORR here.
