As the summer season gets underway, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating June 2024 as Great Outdoors Month. A strong gesture to salute the contribution of outdoor recreation to the health of the economy and the well-being of Americans.
A resolution that may seem a little symbolic, but which, beyond that, guarantees recognition and, above all, ensures that the sector will continue to be accessible to as many people as possible.
This applies not only to the national parks, but also to boating and the hundreds of thousands of boat launches, and in general to all the infrastructures that enable people to enjoy boating in the best possible conditions, whether by the sea or on our beautiful lakes.
It has to be said that boating is a sector of major importance. It represents an economic impact of $230 billion and over 800,000 jobs. And even if the figures are slightly down on the prolific years 2020, 2021 and 2022, more than 1 million people will become boat owner in 2024 (853,000 pre-owned - 272,000 new), according to the NMMA forecasts.
A fad that's waning a little, but remains solid. A figure that shows just how much Americans love boating, and it's hard to argue with them. Between the incredible sites just waiting to be explored and the multitude of activities available from a boat, boating remains the best way to get away from it all.
What's more, at a time when a heat wave is affecting almost the entire country, there's no better place to beat the heat than on the water...
