Florida's outdoor recreation industry is worth $58 billion
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Florida raked in more of its revenue from outdoor recreation than any other state in the South last year.
Why it matters: The Sunshine State remains a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts — and its natural playgrounds pump billions of dollars into the state's economy each year, even while hurricanes dampen the mood.
Follow the money: Florida ranks second in the nation for total value added from the great outdoors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), at $58 billion. That's about 3.6% of the state's GDP.
- We're a premier spot in the U.S. for boating and fishing, which generated $4.2 billion here — the largest sum nationwide. Hunting brought in around $677 million.
- Our recreation industry and related tourism also contributed over 460,000 full- and part-time jobs, or 4.6% of total employment last year.
Zoom in: Florida is home to 175 state parks (including 100 miles of beaches) and three national parks (Biscayne, Dry Tortugas and the Everglades).
Zoom out: The great outdoors united the state twice this year.
- First, against a leaked plan to build golf courses, pickleball courts and hotels on park lands. And then again, when 67% of voters supported a ballot effort to enshrine the right to fish and hunt in the state constitution.
The big picture: The outdoor recreation industry is now valued at $1.2 trillion nationwide, accounting for 2.3% of the U.S. economy and 5 million jobs, the BEA found.
- The top activities are boating and fishing and RVing, while the fastest-growing are bicycling, snow sports and hunting.