New York boaters spend $2.4 billion in 2003
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – A recent study funded by New York Sea Grant found that recreational boaters in New York state spent $2.4 billion last year despite the poor summer weather, NYSG said in a press release yesterday.
In a first-of-its-kind effort, Cornell University researchers sent questionnaires to a sample of New York’s half a million registered boaters attempting to directly measure expenditures related to recreational boating and the impact of that money on the state’s economy.
With the information obtained from those questionnaires, the researchers now estimate that, in 2003, recreational boating had a total statewide economic impact of $1.8 billion, accounting for approximately 18,700 jobs, and contributing $728 million to labor income.
Researchers at Cornell University’s Department of Natural Resources found that for expenditures related to boating trips – 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.
NYSG coastal processes and facilities specialist Jay Tanski, who served as project manager, said 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.
The New York Sea Grant study broke out expenditure and economic impact figures by boating region and major water body:
Trip related expenditures:
Non-trip related expenditures:
Total economic impact by region:
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