Tourism and Recreation: Tourism and Recreation Industry

Features over 700 reports on U.S. industries and a growing collection of global industry reports. The U.S. reports are written at the 5-digit level of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Each report of about 25-30 pages uses Michael Porter's "Five Competitive Forces" framework.

Amusement and theme park companies operate mechanical rides, water rides, games, shows, themed exhibits, refreshment stands and other attractions. Establishments may also lease space on a contract basis.

This industry creates, manages and promotes live performances and events, ranging from concerts and theater performances to state fairs and air shows. Some promoters lease space from stadium, arena and theater owners, while others own venues.

Operators in this industry include hotel and resort accommodations with private or shared facilities, and with or without meal services and restaurants attached. This includes both chain and franchised operators. However, it excludes all other forms of accommodation such as motels, caravan parks and camping grounds, youth and backpacker hotels, and bed and breakfast establishments

This industry operates fitness and recreational sports facilities that feature exercise and other active physical fitness conditioning or recreational sports activities, such as swimming, skating or racquet sports. Companies are also involved in facilities management and fitness instruction.

Operators in this industry provide short-term lodging in hotels, motor hotels, resort hotels and motels. Establishments may also offer food and beverage services, recreational services, conference room and convention services, laundry services, parking and other services. This industry excludes hotels that have casino facilities attached.

This industry includes public and private establishments that preserve and exhibit nature. It includes national, state and city parks, as well as bird and wildlife sanctuaries, conservation areas and natural wonder tourist attractions like caves and waterfalls. Industry revenue is based on park budgets, as opposed to park-generated revenue; therefore, it relies heavily on government funding. This industry excludes amusement parks, zoos, botanical gardens, museums and historical sites.

Industry establishments primarily include racetrack operators; racing participants such as cars, horses or dogs; independent athletes such as boxers, golfers or race-car drivers that participate in live sporting events before a paying audience; and businesses such as sports trainers that provide specialized services required to support participants in sporting events or competitions.

Sporting goods stores retail new sporting goods, including bicycles, camping equipment, exercise and fitness equipment, apparel, footwear and other sporting goods and accessories. Products are sourced from sporting goods manufacturers and wholesalers and then sold to the general public via retail stores. Department stores, mass merchants and retailers that exclusively retail apparel are not included in this industry.

Time spent on leisure and sport includes, but is not limited to, time spent socializing and communicating, watching television, surfing the internet, playing games, reading, playing sports, exercising, participating in recreation as well as traveling to and from these activities. The data between 2003 and 2010 is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Time Use Survey; the remainder is estimated by IBISWorld. Additionally, the figures presented pertain only to Americans aged 15 and over.

Businesses in this industry plan, package, market and sell multiple vacation elements, including air or surface transportation arrangements and accommodations. Package tours are generally sold to the public through travel agents, and tour or wholesale operators are included in this industry. Suppliers that primarily provide accommodations, such as owners or operators of hotels, resorts and cruise lines, are not included in this industry.

Tourism is defined broadly to include spending by visitors whose primary travel purposes are business, convention or conference travel, government business, and the more familiar tourism for leisure, vacation or to visit friends and relatives. Major industries that benefit from tourism expenditure include domestic and international air transportation, accommodation services, food services, drinking places, automotive rental and travel arrangers.