Pic: Nate Dogg
By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Jan. 16, 2014
Tourists are major users of Squamish’s trail network and they pumped between $2.7 and $4 million in the local economy on weekends alone last summer, according to the latest study by Squamish Off-road Cycling Association (SORCA).
“If we were to include weekdays, the number is estimated to be over $8 million,” said vice-president of SORCA, Jeff Cooke.
SORCA conducted this economic impact study using automated trail counters to measure 1339 riders on Half Nelson, Cam and Phils, and Jacks Trail.
SORCA also interviewed 451 riders of which 75 per cent were visitors.
Based on traffic and interviews, SORCA estimates at least 25,000 made their way up to Squamish on the weekends alone past summer.
“If we were to include weekdays, the number is estimated to be over $8 million.” SORCA vice-president Jeff Cooke.
As many as 40 per cent of visitors stayed overnight for an average of 2.5 nights.
For overnight visiting riders, the majority spending is in accommodation (37 per cent), restaurants (21 per cent), groceries (14 per cent), bike shops (14 per cent).
Cooke said SORCA hasn’t yet quantified the added benefits of the Test of Metal series of races and the traffic they generate.
“The numbers we have generated are a very conservative assessment,” he said.
92% of riders rated Squamish trails at 8 or higher on a scale of 1-10.
48% of visiting riders reported riding 5 or more times in Squamish annually.
43% of visitors were aware of the trail pass program, while 13% bought one.
Visitor Distribution
Lower Mainland 55%
Whistler 1%
Other BC 18%
Other Canada 4%
US – Pacific North West 9%
Other US 3%
This year, SORCA is also hoping to secure a $60,000 municipal grant in aid, the funding it got last year from the district.
The grant enables SORCA to hire people in the summer to work on trail maintenance.
Jim Crute says
You want to bring money into the community – This is the way to do it!!
NOT bringing in 35,000 people all at once to a Music Festival!!! Send the SVMF to Pembie!
Dave says
I couldn’t agree more Jim. But to further this kind of trend, Squamish has to make the outdoors even more accessible. We need more trails and we need to make the other side of the river more within easy reach to achieve this. The Gondola is good and it offers a small trail system but the “park- protectionist” will have a say and certainly put the brakes on expansion, (which is probably a good thing). To gain more access to the other side of the river we need a bridge or sophisticated cable system; even another Gondola . The late Frank Bauman had always suggested a Gondola here over the present one but why not have both. We should not be just talking about biking, but all sports to which these adjacent areas lend themselves. Other suggestions could be zip-lining, Tarzan swings and bungee jumping… all very popular sports in many other countries. The opportunities in Mountainous terrain are vast. I recently visited Costa Rica and realised how quickly it is emerging from its original third world status with the help of controlled tourism, using these kind of things. Its main industry is computer chips which is non polluting but tourism and outdoor activities are very important…also it is not shirking its responsibility for wildlife protection either. Squamish will not survive as a town if we do not have a rich cocktail of Industry AND vibrant, diverse tourism. Let us not put unnecessary blocks on either.