From more than 1,000 lakes and ponds to hiking the White Mountains and fall foliage, nature drives New Hampshire’s economy.A new U.S. Department of Commerce report said New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation industry is responsible for nearly 32,000 jobs and contributed nearly $4 billion to the economy last year.It’s the largest recorded measurement for New Hampshire since the department began the reports in 2012.”I think it’s important for people to understand how important outdoor recreation is as an economic driver for the state,” said Jessyca Keeler, president of Ski New Hampshire.The report showed that the industry accounts for 4.5% of the Granite State’s workforce, generates $1.5 billion in wages and ranks ninth in the country for outdoor recreation as a percentage of a state’s GDP. Keeler said from boating, hunting, hiking and snow sports, the demand for outdoor activities and the jobs needed to make them a reality for natives and tourist continues to grow.”I know we employ thousands of people and those numbers go up during the months as well. Think about seasonal jobs,” Keeler said.However, Keeler said unpredictable weather patterns make it crucial for New Hampshire resorts to adapt to the impacts of climate change to sustain the industry.”You get extreme heat events or extreme storms. These things matter, and they have an impact on our industry,” Keeler said.With the winter sports season quickly approaching, Keeler expects the state’s usual influx of visitors, a boost that often helps end the year on a high note for tourism.
From more than 1,000 lakes and ponds to hiking the White Mountains and fall foliage, nature drives New Hampshire’s economy.
A new U.S. Department of Commerce report said New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation industry is responsible for nearly 32,000 jobs and contributed nearly $4 billion to the economy last year.
It’s the largest recorded measurement for New Hampshire since the department began the reports in 2012.
“I think it’s important for people to understand how important outdoor recreation is as an economic driver for the state,” said Jessyca Keeler, president of Ski New Hampshire.
The report showed that the industry accounts for 4.5% of the Granite State’s workforce, generates $1.5 billion in wages and ranks ninth in the country for outdoor recreation as a percentage of a state’s GDP.
Keeler said from boating, hunting, hiking and snow sports, the demand for outdoor activities and the jobs needed to make them a reality for natives and tourist continues to grow.
“I know we employ thousands of people and those numbers go up during the months as well. Think about seasonal jobs,” Keeler said.
However, Keeler said unpredictable weather patterns make it crucial for New Hampshire resorts to adapt to the impacts of climate change to sustain the industry.
“You get extreme heat events or extreme storms. These things matter, and they have an impact on our industry,” Keeler said.
With the winter sports season quickly approaching, Keeler expects the state’s usual influx of visitors, a boost that often helps end the year on a high note for tourism.