Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 134-Regional and Community TrailsA number of regions and communities have developed hiking trails. They are valuable assets asthey provide a popular recreational outdoor activity for visitors. Generally such trails don’t playas significant a role as demand influencers but they add to the appeal of a region or area formany visitors and can help extend stays in an area. They are therefore worth supporting fromthat standpoint. However, the level and type of support would not be the same as for majordestination ‘icon’ trails. Rather, for those regional/local trails that can be demonstrated to havetourism potential the kind of support should be of the following nature and scope:o Capacity building and support for community trail groups:o Technical support on trail design, construction, user rules, preparing fundingproposals, etc.o Funding and equipment support for trail development and managemento Trail market readiness. Basic market readiness issue include:o Signage – directional, trailhead, on trail – both regulatory and interpretiveo Trailhead facilities – parking orientation, rest areaso Appropriate trail surface quality conditions for the target marketo Insurance, approvals and land owner consent in placeo Guidebook, mapo Interpretationo Safety services, communicationso Management (of users and use) and maintenance programDetermination of whether trails have tourism potential should consider the following factors:o A high level of overall quality of experience including natural features such as scenery(particularly coastal scenery), and ecological features as well as cultural factors. Trailsthat have the potential to deliver “icon” experiences drawing on natural or naturalheritage features should be given particular consideration.o Be in relative proximity to traveller services such as accommodations, restaurantso Be located in designated destination areaso Be in relative proximity to other visitor attractions so as to contribute to creating a criticalmass of experienceso Either be on public lands or have written agreements with the landowner for thedevelopment and use of the land for a recreational trailo The character and standard of development that exists or is being planned. Specifically,the extent to which the trail meets or will meet the trail market readiness issues identifiedabove.Consideration should be given to developing a Trail Standards Manual in the province, providingguidance to trail development groups as to appropriate standards for different types of trails.Nova Scotia has such a manual that could form the basis for a similar publication inNewfoundland and Labrador.THE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study