Parks Canada + Boating = A Beautiful Thing! Darlene Upton Parks Canada 1
5 NATIONAL PARKS 2 37 NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES 1 WORLD HERITAGE SITE NATIONAL URBAN PARK 2
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The Parks Canada Boating Offer 4
Partners with you in Tourism and Boating 5
2016 Canal Usage Statistics Boats Locked: Trent-Severn Waterway : 123,352 (increase of 6% from 2015) Rideau Canal: 59,301 (increase of 1.2% from 2015) Sault Ste. Marie Canal: 1680 (includes 48,000 tour boat passengers) Mooring Trent-Severn Waterway: 12,736 (increase of 6% from 2015) Rideau Canal: 11,389 (decrease of 0.4% from 2015) Sault Ste. Marie: n/a Fun Fact: Trent-Severn Waterway experienced a 20% increase of American Boaters in 2016! 6
Other Sites Statistics 7
Boating Survey Results Favourite Boating Destinations Georgian Bay (21%), Lake Ontario (14%) and the Trent Severn Waterway (12%) were respondents top three favourite boating destinations. Ontario Recreational Boating Market Respondents were mostly male and between the ages of 45 and 64. Canoes, kayaks, or rowboats are the most common type of boat owned (40%), Most respondents moor their boat at private marinas (33%) or in the water near their cottage or home (29%). When it is time to get out on the water, respondents stay close to home. Visiting a new boating destination is dependent on water conditions (82%), navigation conditions (78%), and distance (72%). Shore-based factors are of secondary importance in attracting respondents to visit a new boating destination. 8
Boating Survey Results Trip Characteristics and Frequency Most respondents go recreational boating on the weekend (54%) or during their summer vacation (16%). Only 14% of respondents are weekday boaters. Respondents prefer boating trips of one day or less. Storm warnings (86%) and wind speed (78%) are the most important factors influencing frequency of boat activities in a boating season. 9
Boating Survey Results 10
Boating Survey Results Ontario s Canal Waterways 38% of respondents went boating on Canals in 2013, 53% planned to visit in the next 2 years The beauty of the natural landscape along Ontario s canal waterways is what makes the experience the most enjoyable (31%). Water conditions (79%) and personal skill at navigating the canals (73%) are determinants for respondents to explore the canal system. Safety along the canals (78%) is a key factor in inspiring a respondent to enter the canal system for the first time or to explore them more often. Equipment rentals (8%) are not something that would entice exploration. 11
Boating Survey 2018? Live Poll Question Do you see value in the Boating Survey being done again to look for change and any trends? Yes No Not Sure 12
Infrastructure Investments 14
Infrastructure Results 15
New Visitor Experience Products 16
New Visitor Experience Products Cabins Campgrounds Yurts otentiks 17
Learn-to events 18
#NHS100 #FREE #CANADA150 #FREELOCKAGE 19
Building a Strong Future Live Poll Question Which of the following Learn-to events would you like to see take place at Parks Canada locations? Learn-to-Paddle Learn-to-Lock Learn-to-Camp All of the above None of the above 20
Building a Strong Future Live Poll Question Should Parks Canada invest more in mooring options for boaters in our places? Yes No Not Sure 22
Building a Strong Future Live Poll Question Should Parks Canada invest more in accommodation options for boaters in our places, e.g., o TENT iks, restored lock houses? Yes No Not Sure 24
Building a Strong Future Live Poll Question Is there a need for better real-time information for boaters on the canals (e.g. lockage times, mooring availability?) Yes No Not Sure 26
Building a Strong Future Live Poll Question Do you have any innovative ideas for promoting boating you would like to share with us? (Examples could include special events, new products, marketing) Please specify 28
Next Steps Getting ready for 2017 Lots of student hiring Infrastructure projects ongoing Continuing to: Develop strategic partnerships Increase experience opportunities Attract investment Promote the experience 30
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See you in 2017! 32