KOA reinforces its leadership in outdoor hospitality and industry research at the National Executive Forum on Health and Outdoor Recreation. The event highlights the importance of time spent outdoors in addressing rising national challenges related to mental health, chronic disease, and overall wellbeing. As a sponsor and active contributor, KOA played a central role in shaping the dialogue.
The invite-only Forum convenes senior leaders across healthcare, government, and the outdoor recreation industry to examine how outdoor recreation can address these challenges. The event emphasizes cross-sector collaboration, evidence-based research, and scalable solutions, positioning outdoor recreation as a critical lever in preventive health.
KOA brought forward proprietary insights from its annual Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report, one of the industry's most comprehensive longitudinal studies on traveler behavior and outdoor engagement. The report provides valuable data on how people travel, why they seek the outdoors, and the benefits of spending time in nature.
The Forum featured a panel discussion titled 'The Health x Recreation Challenge and Opportunity,' where KOA President and CEO Toby O'Rourke joined leading voices from health systems and outdoor organizations to advance the role of outdoor hospitality as essential infrastructure in a modern, prevention-focused health ecosystem.
According to O'Rourke, camping sits at the intersection of two critical priorities: health and human connection. The findings from KOA's report confirm that access to nature is not a luxury but a foundational element of wellbeing.
Insights from KOA's 2026 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report further underscore the growing alignment between outdoor travel and personal wellness. The data shows that being in nature alone improves wellbeing, slowing down and being present are primary travel goals, and spending time outdoors leads to measurable improvements in sleep quality and stress recovery.
The Forum brings together over 130 executives, policymakers, and thought leaders to shape the future of outdoor recreation as a driver of public health outcomes. This event highlights the importance of collaboration between industry stakeholders to address pressing national challenges.
KOA's leadership in outdoor hospitality research underscores its commitment to delivering accessible and high-quality outdoor experiences that promote wellbeing and human connection.
As the outdoor recreation industry continues to evolve, KOA's role as a thought leader and innovator will be crucial in shaping the future of this critical sector.
The role of outdoor hospitality in delivering access to nature is crucial for modern healthcare.
