Leaders of the RVIA and the outdoor industry submitted testimony to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, including in-person testimony heard Thursday from ORR Executive Director Jessica Turner.
The hearing allowed for consideration of several bills containing legislation that will increase and improve outdoor recreation opportunities across the nation.
Jay Landers, RVIA vice president, specifically cited in his testimony support of the Outdoor Recreation Act, as well as the Outdoors for All Act; the Parks, Jobs, and Equity Act; the Recreation Not Red Tape Act; and the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act.
“A hearing on this legislation could not occur at a more vital time given the increased demand for outdoor recreation our country is experiencing,” Landers said, citing 2016-2019 as the previous highest years for RV shipments. “That was before record numbers of new younger more diverse consumers turned to RVs in 2020. While many Americans have discovered RVs for the first time in the past year, the RV industry has been experiencing over 40 years of long-term growth that predates the pandemic. Access to the outdoors along with safe and adequate campground inventory must keep pace with the overwhelming demand from the American people.”
Lander called the increased demand encouraging and cited data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The BEA found in 2020 outdoor recreation generated $689 billion in output and supported 4.3 million jobs.
“Within diverse communities around the country, outdoor recreation on lands and waters plays a significant role in economic development, growth and resiliency, cultural vitality, and public health, particularly in rural America,” Landers testified.
ORR Executive Director Turner said the legislative package offers support and recognition that other industries of similar or smaller size have already received.
“It’s time the outdoor recreation industry receives the same recognition and focus,” Turner said. “These important bills do so much for this growing sector, and the millions of Americans seeking outdoor experiences now and for generations to come.”
Turner cited the 2020 BEA study. The agency found a 35% decline in trips and travel and 62% decline in outdoor recreation-related transportation and warehousing. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 75% of small businesses in the category that includes outdoor recreation reported large and negative effects in 2020.
“Overall, our sector was hit 31% harder than the national average, making our industry the second-most affected sector in the country behind food and accommodation,” Turner testified. “We are optimistic about continued positive trends in sales and participation and, fortunately, today’s bills take great strides in repairing this damage and bolstering our sector.”
Turner said the legislative package’s provisions would ensure outdoor recreation assets can support 21st century demands by adding tools to managers’ toolboxes and modernizing systems. She called for swift congressional action to approve the package and help the U.S. recover from economic recession, create sustainable jobs and communities, and contribute to overall quality of life in America,
