Winnebago Industries unveiled its annual Spotlight Survey.
The survey results showed outdoor recreation participation increasing for the fourth consecutive year. Participation elevated from 60% in 2020 to 79% in 2021, 82% in 2022 and 89% in 2023.
Winnebago Industries Chief Marketing Office Amber Holmes said, “We are excited to see a continued interest in spending time outside and a deeper understanding of the benefits nature can provide.”
The manufacturer expects the momentum to continue in 2024. When planning for 2024, 86% of respondents said they expect to increase or maintain their current outdoor activity participation levels. Nearly all respondents (95%) said they plan to engage in outdoor activities this summer. The percentage of participants who plan to go camping this year increased from 35% last year to 37%. RVing participation remained at 11% of respondents, matching 2023 levels.
According to Holmes, survey participants reported outdoor activity’s top three impacts were physical health improvement, mental health improvement and stress reduction.
Holmes said, “Our latest insights reinforce a strong link between outdoor activities and physical and mental well-being.”
More than two-thirds of participants (69%) said outdoor time is a good way to reduce screen time.
Nearly two-thirds (63%) of survey respondents began participating in outdoor activities as children. Nearly half of Gen Z respondents (45%) said they feel comfortable outdoors. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of millennials strongly agreed they feel comfortable outdoors.
