Case Studies
To view the various case studies done on various outdoor recreation businesses around Nevada in the original report, read them here:
Nevada Outdoor Recreation Economy COVID Impact Report.pdf
Case studies start on page IV-1.
Summary and Recommendations
Summary
With all of the data collected through this study, it’s clear that Nevada’s outdoor recreation economy is a vital part of our state’s economic health and growth, and should be supported by the community and protected by policymakers.
Our outdoor economy is diverse, with a multitude of recreational activities for residents and visitors alike. All of these activities support our outdoor recreation economy and result in the employment of almost 60,000 people in the state. These jobs span across multiple industries all over Nevada.
According to the report, employees and operators in the outdoor recreation economy earn more than $2.6 billion in wages and salaries, annually, which is about 1.5%Nevada’s total annual labor income. As the largest sub-sectors of the outdoor recreation economy in terms of employment and income, the retail trade, accommodation and food services, and arts, entertainment, and recreation industries were also some of the industries most heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, businesses in the ORE experienced mixed economic impacts from the pandemic. [Pg. V-1]
Altogether, the pandemic caused businesses to enforce strict guidelines, close during the shutdown from March to April 2020, lay off employees in response to budget cuts, or even permanently close due to lost revenue. It also limited the capacity of certain businesses, reduced the number of visitors who visited Nevada in general, and caused a great loss of income from both businesses and workers alike. In particular, the accommodations and food services sector saw the most concentrated loss.
As the report explains, “It is important in a time like this to recognize the large and diverse contributions the outdoor recreation economy makes on the economy of Nevada and to take measures to support and grow the industry and protect the public lands on which it relies,” [Pg. V-1].
Recommendations
From the data shown in this study, there are a number of ways that policymakers at all levels of government can take action to support our outdoor recreation economy.
The following paragraphs are taken verbatim from the report’s recommendations:
▪ Protect and Fund Public Land
Protecting and funding public lands to keep them open and accessible for all Americans.
Increased enthusiasm for outdoor recreation means there is a need to protect existing public lands and adequately fund their upkeep and maintenance in addition to expanding and improving public land offerings, which require additional funding and federal action.
▪ Support Outdoor Recreation Businesses
The recreation economy is greater than the sum of its parts.
This means that the ecosystem of outdoor recreation businesses can only flourish in the long run when all businesses are thriving. While some outdoor recreation businesses have seen their customers return, many others have not. Many accommodations, food service, and transportation businesses continue to be impacted by the pandemic and are operating at a loss.
Policymakers should reach out to these industries and provide aid in the form of financial assistance, subsidized capital finance, emergency grants, and other types of short-term financial aid to help businesses sustain themselves until customers return.
▪ Support Outdoor Recreation Workers
Policymakers should also provide targeted financial assistance to outdoor recreation employees.
Many employees work in the outdoor recreation economy because they are passionate about their work and want to share that passion with others. Moreover, these workers often make less than the median household salary, meaning they are less likely to have financial safety nets to help them through difficult times.
Policymakers can avoid permanent damage to the recreation economy by making sure these workers have the resources they need to sustain themselves and their families until they can return to their jobs. [Pg.s V-1, 2]
Call to Action
The report concludes by stating the following:
“The impacts of the pandemic are being felt by outdoor recreation businesses and employees right now. Many of these businesses and employees have been enduring the impacts for nearly a year and need ongoing assistance beginning today. The new Congress and upcoming state legislative sessions offer opportunities to meet this challenge head-on by providing important resources that will ensure the outdoor recreation economy not only survives but thrives in the future,” [Pg. V-2]
Source
BBC Research and Consulting
Nevada’s Outdoor Recreation Economy and COVID-19: Economic Impacts and Case Studies Get Outdoors Nevada
February 16, 2021
Nevada’s Outdoor Recreation Economy and COVID-19: Economics Impacts and Case Studies Prepared for Get Outdoors Nevada 21 N. Pecos Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting 1999 Broadway, Suite 2200 Denver, Colorado 80202-9750 303.321.2547 fax 303.399.0448 www.bbcresearch.com bbc@bbcresearch.com
