Outdoor recreation contributed $3.4B to Maine's GDP, report shows

People are in kayaks paddling on the water.

File photo / Laurie Schreiber Revenue in Maine from canoeing and kayaking increased 24% from 2022 to 2023.

Write a Comment

Maine’s outdoor recreation economy continues to grow, a new report reveals.

In 2021, the industry generated $2.8 billion in economic output, representing a 19.3% increase over 2020 and accounting for 26,090 jobs.

In 2022, spending on outdoor recreation surged 16.5% to generate $3.3 billion in gross domestic product and 29,080 jobs.

From 2022 to 2023, the industry grew 9%, creating $3.4 billion for Maine's economy and accounting for 29,863 jobs, a report last week shows.

The data comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.

This is the seventh consecutive year the bureau has released government data on the sector.

Key findings

Outdoor recreation made up 3.7% of Maine’s economy, ranking Maine No. 6 among states in the share of GDP contributed by the sector.
29,863 people work in the outdoor industry in Maine, a 2.7% increase from 2022.
Maine’s outdoor recreation industry added 783 jobs last year.
Manufacturing of outdoor recreation gear and equipment contributed $311 million, a 16.8% increase from 2022.
Outdoor retail contributed $824 million to Maine’s economy, a 3% increase.

Notable contributions

Activities that contributed to the sector in 2023 included:

Boating and fishing — $384 million
RVing — $265 million
Outdoor gear and equipment — $196 million
Snow activities (includes skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling) — $108 million
Guided tours/outfitted travel — $97 million
Fishing (excludes boating) — $62 million
Climbing/hiking/tent camping — $46 million

Snow fun

A noteworthy increase over 2022 was snowshoeing and snowmobiling, which grew 44% even as skiing and snowboarding remained stable.

Other increases over 2022:

Fishing (excludes boating) — 45% increase
Canoeing/kayaking — 24% increase
Boating and Fishing — 16% increase
Climbing/hiking/tent camping — 15% increase
Guided tours/outfitted travel — 11% increase

“Outdoor recreation is not only a cornerstone of Maine’s identity; it’s a dynamic driver of economic growth,” said Jenny Kordick, executive director of Maine Outdoor Brands, a Portland-based trade group of more than 180 members.

“With an increasing demand for outdoor experiences, we’re seeing more innovation and job creation than ever before.”

The industry is looking to expand the role that outdoor recreation plays in Maine’s economic landscape, with the development of a 10-year outdoor recreation economy roadmap, scheduled to be unveiled Jan. 16.

The roadmap will identify trends, challenges and opportunities facing the outdoor recreation economy and will outline strategies to enable future success, according to industry representatives.

“The latest data underscores the significant role outdoor recreation continues to play in Maine’s economic landscape,” said Jeff McCabe, director of the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation. “As demand for outdoor activities rises, we must continue to work thoughtfully with the businesses and natural assets to ensure sustainable growth.”