$140 billion, nearly 680,000 jobs and $48 billion spent on wages, an increase that has been estimated at 23% in the last three years. These are the US numbers of the recreational vehicle industry collected by the RV Industry Association (RVIA) in the RVs Move America Economic Impact Study. The economic impact is absolutely significant, with $73.7 billion generated by vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, $35.7 billion from campgrounds and related travels, and $30.5 billion from RV and trailer sales and service activities. These 140 billion are then accompanied by the $13.6 billion that the RV industry pays in federal, state, and local taxes.
“More Americans than ever before have discovered RVing and the incredible physical and mental health benefits that come from living an active outdoor lifestyle,” said RVIA President & CEO Craig Kirby. “The American-made RV industry is an essential part of the American economy that supports $140 billion in economic output and hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs. Every resident in America benefits from the substantial tax revenue brought in by the RV industry – taxes that fund roads, bridges, education, and the parks and recreation areas our customers visit.”
Outdoor recreation, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the United States Department of Commerce, represents 1.8% of the gross domestic product of the United States. This year, figures show that some 65 million Americans are planning a vacation in a recreational vehicle.
The RVs Move America Economic Impact Study includes all companies involved in the production, sale, rental, repair, storage, and service of recreational vehicles, as well as those in the aftermarket, financing, and insurance of RVs. The report also notes the economic impact of camping and travel expenses.
The American RV market continues to grow and is projected toward new records