Boating Industry Association promotes Victorian boating tourism

The Victorian marine industry has launched a campaign to promote boating tourism as summer approaches.

The Boating Industry Snapshot: Destination Boating publication will be delivered digitally to boat owners as part of an ongoing social media promotion, with the aim of encouraging boaties to explore beyond their local ramp.

Research conducted by Roy Morgan in 2014 suggests 86 per cent of boat owners were planning to travel somewhere with their vessel in the next year.

Steven Potts, CEO of the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIA Vic), said boating destination tourism provided 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,” Mr Potts said.

One striking example of this is the boom to Portland tourism created by the recent Southern Bluefin Tuna run, which has even seen anglers travel from interstate for their crack at a 100kg-plus bruiser.

Mr Potts said the digital campaign would be promoted in partnership with regional tourism boards to highlight boating facilities and water activities.

“Boating holidays are becoming more desirable to boat owners thanks to cheaper petrol prices, better trailers, larger trailerable boats and rising inland waters,” he said. “Lower interest rates are also playing a part making it easier and cheaper for people to finance buying a boat.”