News Release
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CYCLE TOURISM WORKSHOP TO HELP BUSINESSES DEVELOP NORTH BAY, MATTAWA AND WEST NIPISSING AS CYCLING DESTINATION
Hosted by Discovery Routes Trails Organization, the Ontario By Bike Network will be delivering two free cycle tourism workshops tailored for regional businesses to be held in the City of North Bay on May 5 th and the Town of Mattawa on May 6 th .
These informative two-hour workshops will offer tourism businesses and organizations key insights on how to become certified as a bicycle friendly location through the Ontario By Bike Network and reach the growing cycling market in Ontario. Workshop highlights will also include discussions on the province's growing cycle tourism product, regional and local cycling developments, demographic and trip planning characteristics of cycle tourists, as well as what services and amenities will attract cyclists to local businesses.
"The province is experiencing a shift in demand from both domestic and international tourism markets. Consumers are increasingly looking to incorporate cycling and cycling–related experiences on holidays and businesses must understand the unique needs of cyclists to effectively position themselves in the marketplace. Our workshops, partnerships and programs do just that," says Transportation Options' Executive Director, Louisa Mursell.
Launched in 2010, the Ontario By Bike Network is currently active in 29 regions across Ontario and has seen over 1,650 attendees register for 54 workshops. Ontario By Bike Network certifies businesses and locations under the following categories; accommodations, food service providers, tourist attractions, campgrounds, business areas and other bicycle-related businesses. With over 1,000 Ontario By Bike businesses already participating in the program, businesses will be joining a growing provincial network allowing them to connect with the increasing number of cycle tourists and local cyclists across Ontario.
“The workshops are part of a larger initiative led by Discovery Routes to develop the region as a destination for cycle tourists and connect local efforts to the provincial cycle tourism product. With a long history of promoting the vast network of trails in the region, moving into bicycle tourism is a natural evolution for the organization,” said Jennifer McCourt, Executive Director, Discovery Routes Trails Organization.
North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce President Jake Lacourse stated, “This is an untapped market for tourism in the region. Bicycle enthusiasts travel throughout Ontario and
our region is preparing to welcome them to our enhanced trails with further connections. Bicycle tourism is much like our ATVers and Snowmobilers that travel with limited luggage but with their wallets. This active group doesn't require a lot of infrastructure but need the assurance that the businesses are welcoming and open to this type of traveller.”
While the workshops are open to the public; owners, managers and/or staff of accommodations, campgrounds, cafes, restaurants, tourist attractions, bike shops and other cycling-related businesses are encouraged to attend to learn more. The two workshops will be held on:
Date/Time:
Tuesday May 5 , 2015 – 6:00pm - 8:0 0pm
Location: C larion Resort Pinewood Park, 201 Pinewood Park Drive, North Bay, ON P1B 8Z4 RSVP: www.ontariobybike-workshops-northbay-mattawa.eventbrite.ca
Date/Time:
Wednesday May 6, 2015 – 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Canadian Ecology Centre, Box 430, #6905 Hwy.17, Mattawa, ON POH 1V0 RSVP: www.ontariobybike-workshops-northbay-mattawa.eventbrite.ca
QUICK FACTS Ontario By Bike Network currently has over 1,000 certified bicycle-friendly participating locations in 29 regions across Ontario. To date, over 1,650 attendees have registered for 54 workshops in Ontario. The Network will continue to expand to other regions in 2015, such as Lambton and Brant Counties, as well as the City of London. Cycling and cycle tourism are growing markets. Exploring Ontario by bike is becoming an increasingly popular touring option for cycle tourists from Ontario, Quebec, USA, and international origins. The Network and workshops will help businesses attract more cyclists. Ontario By Bike workshops are free to attend. More facts and stats on cycle tourism in Ontario are available at: www.ontariobybike.ca/from-niche-to-now
ABOUT THE ONTARIO BY BIKE NETWORK The Ontario By Bike Network is a project of Transportation Options, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable mobility and tourism solutions across Ontario. For more information, visit www.transportationoptions.org. Other successful Transportation Options' projects include the Bike Train Initiative (www.biketrain.ca) and Parkbus (www.parkbus.ca).
For more information, visit www.ontariobybike.ca or phone 1-866-701-2774. For more information about Discovery Routes Trails Organization and local cycling programs, go to http://discoveryroutes.ca
For workshop registration, go to www.ontariobybike-workshops-northbay-mattawa.eventbrite.ca
