Mountain bike tourism may provide significant benefit to communities, as shown by economic impacts of $38 (CDN) million realized in the Sea to Sky Corridor region of British Columbia, Canada in 2006. This outcome originated with regional stakeholder collaboration and community mountain bike trail planning dating back to the early 1990’s. Despite the growth in mountain bike tourism, formal research into community mountain bike tourism development is still in its infancy. To explore the critical success factors necessary to build sustainable tourism capacity for the development of mountain bike tourism, industry expert analysis of a modified Delphi method was utilized in this empirical study. A literature review, followed by online surveys of selected experts led to the creation of a framework for community-based mountain bike tourism development to support sustainable community mountain bike tourism development strategies. Community planners need to be cognizant of applicable critical success factors necessary to ensure the execution of a sustainable tourism development strategy, which meets visitor expectations and reflects community values to ultimately achieve desired. Potential benefits to those communities that get the mix and application of critical success factors correct may include: efficient allocation of resources, increased recreational opportunities for locals and visitors, increased visitation and taxation revenues, and regional entrepreneurial opportunities. Negative impacts of inaction or inefficient collaboration may include: constraints on tourism development opportunities, stakeholder conflict, and environmental degradation. This framework may be beneficial to clusters of tourism stakeholders for mapping-out long-term objectives and to achieve planning and operational efficacy. Use of the framework may assist in nurturing community development through efficient planning, investment, and allocation of resources towards building sustainable tourism capacity and creating a diversity of product appealing to a wide range of potential consumers, locally and globally.

1. MOUNTAIN BIKE TOURISM
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
IN BRITISH COLUMBIA:
BENEFITS OF COLLABORATION
May 3, 2013
Ray Freeman
School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Royal Roads University

2. COLLABORATION
• “creating new value together.”
(Kanter, 1994)

3. WHY MOUNTAIN BIKE
TOURISM?
• gaining critical-mass globally
• cost-effective for communities
• leverages partnerships
• community benefits

4. COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF
COLLABORATION
• new opportunities for visitors and locals
• destination awareness
• tourism revenue, taxation revenue
• community infrastructure
• spin-offs for direct and indirect businesses
• social capital...between collaborators

5. FAWCETT AND COMPANY
CYCLING EXPEDITIONS

6. NOURISH INSIGHT

7. GLENDALE GARDENS
victoriadailyphoto.blogspot.ca

8. SPINNAKERS GASTRO
BREWPUB & GUEST HOUSES

10. Timur and Getz (2008)
Stakeholder
Analysis

11. BENEFITS OF FOSTERING
COLLABORATION
• Sharing of ideas leads to innovative policies
• Collaboration can overcome power
imbalances
• Collaborative efforts may also promote a
shared ownership of the results

12. SUCCESS
 requires gaining TRUST…
through planning, strong facilitation and
effective collaboration

13. SEA TO SKY CORRIDOR CLUSTER
Source: http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/documents/sea-to-sky-trail-strategy.pdf

14. SEA TO SKY ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY
• Visitors to the North Shore, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton corridor
• $10.3 M revenue (June 4 to September 16, 2006)
• Whistler Mountain Bike Park $16.2 M
• Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival $11.5 M
• $38 M cumulatively
• Whistler: 1 millionth rider in 2011 (over 12 yrs)
Source: Mountain Bike Tourism Association, 2006

15. SCOTLAND
• Mountain biking generates $119 million pounds
per year in Scotland
...with the potential for another $36 million pounds
Source: Highlands and Islands Enterprise, 2013

16. Contingent Factors
(Emerging Clusters)
Framework for Community-Based Mountain Bike
Tourism Development
Community
Champions /
Stakeholders
/ Political Will
Physical
Geography /
Terrain /
Trails
Funding
Sources
(Public /
Private / In-
Kind)
Legislation /
Regulatory
Frameworks

17. Non-Contingent Factors
(Maturing Clusters)
Mountain Bike
Clubs / Schools /
Camps /
Programs
Infrastructure
/Supporting
Services
Mountain Bike
Culture /
Lifestyle /
Events
Destination
Marketing /
Mgmt

18. • Successful Integration
...is derived from Community Champions & Partnerships
• Conversations & Partnerships
...can reveal hidden resources & opportunities (Outliers)
• Strategic Planning
...requires a collective vision, and consideration of
Critical Success Factors
• It’s been done before…
you don’t need to reinvent the wheel!
How to Plan for Collaboration

19. Questions?
Ray.1Freeman@RoyalRoads.ca
Ray@LeftCoastInsights.com
Thank you!