The Northern Forest Canoe Trail: economic impacts and implications for community development

Abstract

Recreation is increasingly promoted as a sustainable means of diversifying rural economies, yet few studies have explored how the characteristics of a recreational activity and its economic impact can vary significantly between communities. This research examined the economic impact of paddler recreation in six communities along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Results indicate that approximately 90,000 visitors paddled the waterways in 2006. Their spending created $12 million in economic impacts, supporting about 280 jobs. However, economic impacts varied considerably between communities, due to differences in the number of users, trip lengths, lodging choices, group size, travel distances, and use of outfitters. This finding suggests that, while expenditures by visitors may help diversify local economies, community development practitioners and land managers must be cognizant of the conditions that facilitate visitor use and spending to ensure that potential economic benefits contribute positively to community development.

Keywords:

• applied economics
• rural community development
• rural economic development
• tourism/recreation

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Northeastern States Research Cooperative for funding the research and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail staff for their collaboration throughout the project.