An Economic Analysis of Tourism and Recreation in the Northern Forest: Studying the Northern Forest Canoe Trail Project
Recreation and tourism are increasingly promoted as ways to expand local economies in the Northern Forest. But, how much do visitors’ recreational activities affect local businesses? To find out, NSRC researchers investigated the economic impact of paddler recreation along waterways of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) in six study regions from the Adirondacks to Northern Maine. The NFCT association works with communities to promote the trail and to develop campsites, signage, and portage trails.
Researchers collected visitor information, trip characteristics, and visitor spending data at paddler registration kiosks and through in-person and mail surveys. Discussions with land managers and business owners helped identify social and environmental challenges for communities seeking to attract paddlers. In 2006, approximately 90,000 visitors paddled waterways in the six study regions. Their spending created $12 million in total economic impacts, supporting about 280 jobs. The median paddler group spent about $215 per trip primarily at lodging establishments, restaurants, grocery stores, and service stations. Non-locals spent an average of $414-498 per trip, or $46 per person per day.
These findings suggest that spending by visitors to the NFCT may help diversify local economies. Economic benefits can be further enhanced by expanding camping and lodging opportunities on both public and private lands, constructing rustic shelters, developing and supporting guide training, holding canoe races and festivals, and participating in collaborative marketing efforts. At the same time, communities must work together to proactively minimize negative impacts of increased visitation, such as spread of invasive aquatic species, wildlife disturbance, increased traffic, overcrowding of waterways, and land degradation at campsites.
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