Page 12 - GBC Winter 2020 ENG

Key Findings
Data for this Study was derived from multiple sources, including targeted golfer and course operator surveys. These were then weighted appropriately to accurately reflect the Canadian universe. The model then mapped out the interprovincial industry and consumer trans- actions of the entire economy, generating both national and provincial economic impacts. Altogether, tens of thousands of data points were combined, and the entire process took a full year to complete.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: THE ULTIMATE BENCHMARK When looking at the key findings, let’s start at the top and then break down the components. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the final monetary value of all goods and services produced annually. It is golf’s contribution to Canada’s overall GDP and goes beyond things like actual golf operations to include all impacts, such as household incomes and taxes generated. For the 2019 calendar year, Canadian golf’s GDP totalled $18.2 billion.
This is a significant result. Firstly, it shows growth over the 2013 results, which, in 2019 equivalent dollars, was $15.9 billion. So, our industry grew by an average of 2.4% per year over the previous 6 years. This is a reassuring outcome. Healthy industries grow.
“The Economic Impact Study further reinforces the incredible financial, employment, charitable, tourism and positive environmental impact that the sport and the business of golf are affecting across Canada, ”explained Laurence Applebaum, CEO of Golf Canada and current Chair of We Are Golf. “This third iteration of the study provides the golf industry with a powerful snapshot of the magni- tude that our sport has on the
Golf Industry Contribution Increased By 14% – The golf industry accounts for $18.2B of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP), up from $15.9B (2019$s) in 2013.
Participation – Canadian golfers played 12.2 rounds, with an estimated 57.0M annual rounds Canada wide in 2019 (down from an estimated 60.0M annual rounds in 2013).
Travel – Canadians made approximately 4.8M trips involving golf, including 3.0M in their home province and 1.8M outside their home province and abroad.
Employment – The golf industry directly employed 149,844 full-time, full-year equivalent positions. The golf industry is a job provider for youth with 48% of its workforce identified as students.
Land Management – Golf course operations manage between 155,000 and 175,000 hectares, including 30,000 to 35,000 hectares of wildlife and wetland area.
Canadian Golfers Spent an Average of $1,795 on Golf – Totalling $10.2B in expenditures. In 2019, Canadian and visiting golfers spent:
• $8.6B on travel (Accommodation, transportation, and food
and beverage expenditure account for the largest share of travel expenditures with $2.7B, $2.7B, and $1.9B, respectively.)
• $2.7B on golf equipment and supplies
• $935.3M on transportation; and
• $19.8M on golf related events
Canadian Golf Course Operators – A total of 2,283 facilities were estimated to be operational in 2019, accounting for 2,043 courses (18-hole equivalents). Canadian course operators spent around $3.8B on the following:
• $1.6B on wages and salaries
• $756.6M on course operation
• $164.1M on pro shop, retail, food and beverage services • $291.3M on office and administration
• $150.3M on income and property taxes
• $163.9M on repayment & interest on long-term debt
• $14.0M on donations; and
• $49.9M on miscellaneous expenditures
12
Golf Business Canada