International Snowmobile Manufacturers
Association
Haslett, MI - Recreational spending and outdoor
activities are much bigger economic drivers than most people realize. A recent study found that
consumer spending on outdoor recreational activities generated $646 billion in
national sales and services last year in the U.S. alone.
Economic impact analysts report that
snowmobilers in North America have generated more than $30 billion on economic activity
directly related to snowmobiling each year. These expenditures include:
- Equipment
- Clothing
- Accessories
- Snowmobiling vacations
- Etc.
The economic benefits of snowmobiling in North
America generate jobs for approximately 100,000 individuals, mostly in rural
parts of North America. The snowmobiling
community generates significant income tax revenues and state tax revenues as
well as reducing unemployment and welfare payments. Millions of dollars in tax
revenues are derived from snowmobile related businesses such as hotels,
restaurants, manufacturers, service stations, insurance agencies, hardware
stores, banks, credit unions and more.
In addition to the positive economic
impact, snowmobilers also pay millions of dollars in gas tax which helps build
our trails, trail heads and roadways to snowmobiling destinations.
An example of an economic impact study
showing the growth of snowmobiling activity and the importance of snowmobiling
can be seen in reviewing the study recently done for the New York State Snowmobile
Association by the Potsdam Institute for Applied Research in Potsdam, NY. The organization showed a 1998 economic
report of $476 million dollars. In the 2012 report, snowmobilers were surveyed
and the economic impact of snowmobiling was calculated to be $875 million
dollars annually. Yes, this is an 84 percent increase in 14 years. This is a
substantive increase, above and beyond the growth of the economy, the rate of
inflation. The positive impact snowmobiling has on the economy compared to other
activities is remarkable.
The survey also profiled snowmobilers and
shows that snowmobilers have a high level of satisfaction with the snowmobile
trails and with access to restaurants, fuel and rated the overall fun of the
sport at more than 90 percent.
New York's report was
joined by a positive report from the South Dakota
snowmobiling community prepared for them by the University of South Dakota.
The University found that snowmobiling generates $131.6 million dollars in
annual economic impact in South
Dakota. This
economic activity gave direct and indirect support for more than 1,400 full
time jobs.
The direct effects of snowmobiling are
impressive in providing employment opportunities for hundreds of workers in the
snowmobile industry and the related hospitality industries and tourism industries.
The staff of Plymouth
State University
in New Hampshire conducted a study for the New
Hampshire Snowmobile Association and found that the total impact on New Hampshire's economy
generated by snowmobiling was $586 million dollars annually.
The survey found that visitors to New Hampshire spend approximately $114 per visitor per
day when snowmobiling in New
Hampshire.
Yes, snowmobiling is an important part of
the economic engine for all winter tourism areas. If you have the
infrastructure of trails and related accommodations along with snow cover, your
area will generate millions of dollars of economic activity by welcoming
snowmobilers to visit and enjoy your area.
Individuals questioned in the surveys told
us that on an average annual basis, they take eight snowmobile related trips
per winter. Typically a snowmobiling trip lasts two days and snowmobilers are
finding the level of service and quality while snowmobiling is high and above
average on the satisfactory table.
Snowmobiling is a very important part of
the economic engine throughout North America and is growing in Northern Europe
and Russia.
It is estimated that snowmobiling generates more than $3 billion worth of economic activity in the
countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland
and Russia. It is expected that the economic impact of
snowmobiling will continue to outperform the GDP growth of most countries.