Study: Golf is a Major Contributor to the Canadian and British Columbia Economies

Study: Golf is a Major Contributor to the Canadian and British Columbia Economies

November 5, 2020 ctn_admin

The recently released Economic Impact of Golf in Canada report released by the National Allied Golf Association (We are Golf) underscores the importance of the Golf Industry in Canada and British Columbia.

The headline statistic in the report details that the Canadian golf industry contributed $18.2 billion to national GDP in 2019, which is up 14.5% from the previous report, released in 2014 which was based on data from 2013.

Focusing on the figures for British Columbia, the report identified a contribution of $3.7 billion British Columbia’s GDP, an increase of 82.3% from the 2013 data. The Allied Golf Association of BC (AGA-BC) sees the report as an indication of the golf industry’s strength in B.C. and a reinforcement of the importance of golf to British Columbia’s economy.

“To me, what stands out is that there are numerous indicators pointing to strength across the Canadian and British Columbia golf industries. The NAGA report and the recent data highlighting the increase in rounds played during summer 2020 to yOy national growth of 11.5% and provincial growth of 16.8%, both speak to the work the Canadian golf industry, as a collective, has done to grow the game, create stability and lay the groundwork for continued success,” said Trevor Smith, president of the Allied Golf Association of British Columbia.

Highlights for the Canadian Golf Industry:

$18.2 Billion to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up 14.5% from $15.9 Billion (2109$) reported in the 2014 report (2013 data)
248,878 direct and indirect jobs with as many as 48% of those identified as students.
$10.6 Billion in Household Income (direct, indirect & induced, up 27.7% from $8.3 Billion in 2013)
$19.3 Billion in Spending from green fees to equipment, including $8.3 Billion in golf-related travel.
$3.9 Billion in Government Tax Revenue ($1.8B federal and $2.1B provincial)
$727 Million industry-wide on capital expenditures.

Highlights for the British Columbia Golf Industry:

$3.7 Billion toward British Columbia’s GDP (up 82.3% from 2.03 Billion in 2013)
52,183 Jobs (up 18.6% from 44,000 in 2013)
$2.3 Billion in Household Income (up 81.1% from 1.27 Billion in 2013)
$858.0 Million in Taxes (331.2 Million in 2013)

As the unifying voice of five major golf industry associations in British Columbia, the AGA-BC also looks closely at how the industry coordinates amongst varied associations to achieve positive results. In this vein, Smith also highlighted collaboration as a key contributor to recent successes and as a core pillar of continued growth.

“One highlight in the report that could be missed is that the growth encompassed gains in both primary and supporting categories,” said Smith. “This goes to show that strong Canadian and British Columbian golf industries require all partners to be invested, involved, and collaborative. We all play a role in the success of golf – the more we can work together, the more we will be able to support the growth of the game, the economy of British Columbia, and the economic outlook for Canada, as a whole.”