Grounded hiking festival in Esperance, WA, activates local trails to build awareness of the region as a year-round destination for hiking.
Though there is economic benefit from all scales of trail-based events, you can also aim high and attract an international-level event. Over the past three years, Crankworx Cairns, held at Smithfield MTB 22 Park, has delivered $ 19.5 million in economic impact to the region, with 23,644 attendees staying for more than 67,000 room nights. The 2024 event alone delivered $ 7 million in economic impact from over 8,000 attendees. Additionally, hosting the world’ s most watched mountain bike event has generated over 1.9 million broadcast views globally for Cairns. 23
5. Develop or promote complementary experiences for those travelling with trail users Make it easy for trail users to convince their non-trail-using travel companions( such as partners and children) to come along too. Trails can provide business opportunities for new entrepreneurial activities that are not trail based and wouldn’ t be sustainable if it was not for the trails.
Wellness experience Floating Sauna Lake Derby in the small town of Derby, Tasmania, home of the famous Blue Derby Mountain Bike Trails, is not necessarily a trail business( though who doesn’ t love a sauna after a big day of riding?) but it would not exist if it wasn’ t for trails attracting visitors to Derby, according to its owner.
Ottaba Llamas in Esk, Queensland,( Brisbane valley) provide visitors with the unique experience of walking llamas along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
In Victoria, Indigo Shire Council created the Indigo Epic Mountain Bike trail connecting the Beechworth to Yackandandah through a landscape rich in First Nations and gold-mining heritage. In its first year the trail led to an 18 % increase in spend in dining, entertainment and accommodation. 24 The trails have enabled non-trail related businesses to flourish on the back of increased visitation, providing visitors with reasons to stay longer to experience local attractions, small businesses, and cultural activities.
6. Ensure trails are well maintained and managed Positive trail experiences result in repeat visits and recommendations( growth in visitation), so it’ s important to have well-maintained trails, ensure visitors feel welcome and part of a community, and have fantastic experiences, from clean loos to great food, and everything in between. Ensure an effective trail management and maintenance system is in place for your trail so the trail experience does not degrade over time. While there is no onesize-fits-all‘ best practice’ management