Economic Benefit

  • River Management Society's, An Economic Argument for Water Trails, 2015, highlights studies on various water trails and the economic impact they have had on local economies. All studies looked at visitor spending for outfitters, lodging, restaurants and grocery shopping, retailing and servicing, activities, and transportation.
    • Studies show that paddlers spend $103-126 per day trip, and $255-268 for overnight trips.
  • Closer to home, see the Huron River Water Trail's Economic Impacts Report, 2016. The report's key findings show that the 5-county region contributes $53.5 Million in economic output, of which $29.9 Million is direct spending; and the Huron River provides an economic value of $150 Million annually in ecosystem services.

 

Additional Resources and Studies on Economic Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

compiled by Barbara Nelson-Jameson, National Park Service - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, May 4, 2017

  • Impacts of Trails

 

  • Outdoor Recreation Impacts

 

  • Economic Benefits of Parks

 

  • Economic Impacts of Conservation
  • The Trust for Public Land, Conservation Economics, shows conservation returns from $4 to $10 for every dollar invested.

 


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