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Sea Grant study finds
recreational boaters benefit economy The national economy may go through highs and lows, but in a New York Sea Grant-funded study Cornell researchers found that the state's recreational boaters spend $2.4 billion last year despite the poor summer weather. The effort is the first of its kind to directly measure expenditures related to recreational boating and their impact on the state's economy. Using questionnaires sent to a sample of New York's half a million registered boaters, researchers estimate that in 2003 recreational boating had a total statewide economic impact of $1.8 billion, accounted for approximately 18,700 jobs and contributed $728 million to labor income. Researchers found that for boating trip related expenditures such as launching fees, lodging, food and gas, boaters spent over $431 million statewide. The survey also tabulated how much boaters spent on boat purchases, equipment, boat repair, insurance and annual fees associated with the use of marinas and yacht clubs. Overall in 2003, almost $2 billion was spent statewide on these non-trip related expenses. Of this figure, $1.2 billion was for boat purchases. "With these research findings, it is clear that recreational boating is big business and an important economic generator for the people of New York state," said Jack Mattice, New York Sea Grant director. "The intent of the study was not only to quantify the impact of boating, but also to provide information that will help managers, planners and other decision makers make more informed decisions regarding coastal resource use and development." As one of the nation's major boating states, boating is key recreational industry in virtually all areas of New York. The New York Sea Grant study broke out expenditure and economic impact figures by boating region and major water body: Trip related expenditures: •$173 million associated with trips to and in regions bordering the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes. •$53 million associated with trips to and in the Hudson River area •$162 million associated with trips to and in the New York City/Long Island Metropolitan Area Non-trip related expenditures: •$661 million associated with the economic regions bordering the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes $194 million associated with the Hudson River region •$907 million associated with the New York City/Long Island Metropolitan Area •$600 million associated with the economic regions bordering the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes $184 million associated with the Hudson River region •843 million associated with the New York City/Long Island Metropolitan Area. The estimates were based on a mail survey of 6,000 boaters registered in New York state in 2003. These figures may be conservative for the marine region since data indicate boating activity may have been suppressed because of the weather that year. June was one of the wettest on record and the threat of Hurricane Isabel striking New York's marine coast in September resulted in many people pulling their boats early, further shortening the season. In addition, the figures do not include spending by transient boaters and others who are not registered in the state. Non-motorized boaters, such as kayaks, canoes and small sailboats, are also likely to have made economic contributions throughout the state, but were not included in the study since they are not registered. For a downloadable copy of the report, go to:"<http://www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/coastalgeo/boatingexpenditures03.htm> or go to New York Sea Grant's home page www.nyseagrant.org and follow the links. |