Yorkshire boating brings in tidal wave of income

According to the British Marine Federation, boating tourism generated £3.7bn nationally in 2012-2013, a figure estimated to be larger than the income generated by the 2012 Olympic Games over a 12-year period, including its build-up and legacy.

Having been in the doldrums owing to the recession, the federation is expecting more people to take part in water-based activities as the economy improves.

In Yorkshire, where there are two coastal marinas and 16 more inland, 327 people are directly employed in boating tourism including marinas, as well as passenger boats, charter boat hire and sea schools, with another 4,845 indirectly.

The £205m generated in 2012-13 represents 5.5 per cent of the national total.

In contrast, the South-East, which has a large number of boating tourism activities on the River Thames and the south coast, generates a third of boating tourism expenditure, with the South West generating the second largest turnover.

Nationally, canoeing was the most popular activity, with 1.2 million people taking part in 2012, followed by small sail boat activities.

People taking part in boating and watersports spend around £46 a day, including outlay on boating goods and services, boat hire, marina and tuition fees.

Canoeing, rowing and motorboating accounts for most of the boating tourism spending in Yorkshire.

Nigel Hamilton, chairman of British Marine Federation Tourism, said: “Boating tourism is a very diverse segment of the UK tourism market and makes a valuable contribution to the economy of Yorkshire and the Humber.

“Despite the industry experiencing some challenging times in recent years as a result of the global financial crisis and subsequent recessions, prospects for future growth now look good as we expect participation rates in water-based activities to rise.”

Tourism Minister Helen Grant said: “These are important statistics to a Government which recognises the crucial role that the overall tourism sector plays in economic growth.”