Trail Based Tourism Development Alex Naar, Director, Sustainable Tourism Outreach Carol Kline, PhD, Assistant Professor Center for Sustainable Tourism at ECU October 18 th, 2013
Understanding Tourism Understanding Bicycling s role in Tourism Examples from North Carolina Why Sustainability Matters
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What is Tourism? The activities of people traveling to, and staying in, places outside their usual environment for not less than 24 hours or one night and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business or other purposes. (World Tourism Organization)
NC s Strengths Compared to Competition Natural and Scenic Beauty
Host Community Infrastructure
Residents per Mile of Trail Source: NC Outdoor Recreation Plan 2009-2013
Attracting Young Workforce
Attracting Young Workforce 3 General Observations 1) Multi-level disconnectedness 2) Equal feelings of hope and concern about progress in the region. 3) Amenities and cultural/natural resources are vital to young professionals.
Retirement Migration
Retirement Migration
Retirement Migration
Why Do Older People Move? Move 1: Amenity-related services. Move 2: In-home or community-based assistance. Move 3: Institutional or in-home skilled care. Source: Jim Mitchell, Ph.D., Anticipated Changes in NC s Older Population: Preparation
Small Towns Program Project Project Project Event Project Event Initial Impact Initial Impact Initial Impact Second Level Impact Second Level Impact Second Level Impact Second Level Impact Second Level Impact Second Level Impact Third Level Impact Third Level Impact Third Level Impact Third Level Impact Third Level Impact
E-Metrics (Entrepreneurship Metrics) Indicators that measure a community s ability to leverage entrepreneurial opportunities Ten categories/ 70+ elements with one s community s environment Physical infrastructure Financial infrastructure Business support services Training/education assistance Networking opportunities Governance/leadership Human capital Community culture Quality of Life General contextual factors
How to Measure No one way to measure all the EMetrics variables Secondary Data Surveys Interviews/Focus Groups Combined this is a powerful tool to provide a snapshot of a community s strengths and areas of needed improvement
Sample Results Location Physical Physical Physical Physical Physical Physical Physical Physical Financial Financial Financial Financial Affordable building/land Districts zoned Highway accessibility Airport accessibility Adequate water/sewer Adequate phone Dependable high-speed internet Good built landscape Community foundation funds Investment assessments/ matching funds Variety of financial products County A B A A F B B B C B B B B County B B B N D C B B N N B D B County C A C A D A B C C C F N B County D B C C D B B C D D F D C County E A C B D A A D C C C D C Town A D N A D N A A A C N N B Town B D C C C D B C B C D N C Town C B C D F B B C D D F D D Town D B C B B B B B B D D D B Town E A B F N B A B B B D B B Town F B F C F D B D C C D D C Town G B A C D C C D D N D D D Town H C A A A A A B D C B B D Town I B A B B B A A C F C A A Town J B A C D A B B C A B B B Financial tools & services
Sample Results
Business Conditions
Quality of Life
Word Association Towns
Knowledge of Available Amenities
Secondary Data
Needed Research! Understand how non-motorized bike/ped trail use by visitors and local residents contributes to the goals of North Carolina communities Studies exist that link trails to public health outcomes (focuses on residents) Studies exist that link trails to economic development (focuses on property values, business attraction, tourism)
Needed Research! Trail users general demographic information, (providing a profile of current trail visitor and resident trail users), Trail use (how often, long, and intensity the trail is used), satisfaction with the trail experience, Perceived infrastructure gaps (what resources are needed to increase frequency, duration, and intensity of use), Spending patterns associated with trail use, Perceptions of access, safety, and other key trail resources that would further encourage behavior that meets community goals This information will determine how trails contribute to the economic and physical health of communities in North Carolina as well as what critical elements are yet needed when developing trails.
What is Sustainable Tourism?
Independent note on a questionnaire I think tourism is like seasoning on food. Some can make an improvement, a little more can make it perfect. A lot ruins it and makes a good thing disgusting.
What green practices travelers want Range of local cultural and heritage things to do 97% 3% Important Not important Conserves natural spaces 96% 4% Local crafts nad produts 95% 5% Recycles 88% 12% Conscious of tourism impacts 84% 16% Conserves water 83% 17% Local/sustainabl food 83% 17% Conserves energy 81% 19% Green attractions 74% 26% Green lodging 71% 29% Green certification 66% 34% Alternative transportation 63% 37% n=423 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Conserves natural and open spaces Not Important 4.5% Somewhat Important 35.9% Extremely Important 59.6% n=426
www.sustainabletourism.org Serving the Region, State, and Nation