Steven Potts, CEO of the Boating Industry Association of Victoria, said boating destination tourism provides a valuable economic contribution to coastal, regional and country areas with expenditure in a range of areas from accommodation to food and fuel.

"Especially over summer, boating tourism can boost local economies as people venture ashore to enjoy the ambience of coastal or river based townships.

"Currently 95% of the Victorian recreation vessels are trailered, less than 8 metres in length with 68% of Victoria's 172,000 registered boats being operated on Port Phillip and Western Port Bays." 

Roy Morgan Research in 2014 found that 86% of boat owners planned to take a boating trip within the next twelve months. 

Mr Potts said the Boating Industry Snapshot Destination Boating will be delivered digitally to boat owners as part of an extended ongoing social media campaign in partnership with the regional tourism boards to promote boating facilities and water activities.

"Boating holidays are becoming more desirable to boat owners thanks to cheaper petrol prices, better trailers, larger trailable boats and rising inland waters. 

"Lower interest rates are also playing a part making it easier and cheaper for people to finance buying a boat." 

Left: Michael Harris, Executive Chairman, Marine Media Group P/L;
Paul Benjamin, President, BIAV; Tony De Domenico, Chairman, Places Victoria;
Steven Potts, CEO, BIAV; David Heyes, BIAV Board member; Mary Papantoniou, BIAV and
John Haber, Managing Director, Haines Hunter.
Top left: Irene Hoe, Vice President, BIAV; John Stevens, Chairman,
Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine Board and
Carl Cowie, CEO, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council at the launch at Parliament House

The 2014 Victorian Boating Survey found the most common boat in Victoria is a four to five metre cabin vessel valued from $15,000 to $25,000. 

Mr Potts said with Victoria's population forecast to double by 2050, the current use of the Bays by the community will also double, especially with a lack of green space, with communities in rapidly growing areas such as the west of Melbourne turning towards the use of BLUE SPACE, providing a major growth long term for marine tourism.
 * There are more boats than caravans or motor cycles in Victoria. 

Click here to download the Boating Industry Snapshot Destination Boating.

Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Corporate Media Communications, BIAV - Mobile: 0417 329 201