1. Ontario Snowmobiling Tourism Statistics 2015
Fall 2017

2. This report summarizes key characteristics of visitors and visitor spending of trips in Ontario which included the activity of Snowmobiling. Data was sourced from Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey, Some slides include an index table which simplifies the comparison of Snowmobiling and total trip statistics. Since total trips equals 100, an index of 105 indicates Snowmobiling is 5% higher than total, similarly an index of 90 signifies Snowmobiling is 10% lower than total. Index Interpretation less than 80 Snowmobiling trips underdeveloped versus total trips Snowmobiling trips similar to total trips greater than 120 Snowmobiling trips overdeveloped versus total trips 2

3. Visits and Spending
Region
Visits
(millions)
Visitor Spending
($ billions)
Ontario Total
141.9
25.4
Ontario Snowmobiling
0.4
0.1
Ontario Snowmobiling proportion of Ontario Total
0.3%
In 2015, there were 387,000 Snowmobiling visits in Ontario, representing 0.3% of total visits in Ontario
Snowmobiling visitors spent $75 million, accounting for 0.3% of total visitor spending in Ontario
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

4. Snowmobiling and Total Visits by Origin
Snowmobiling vs. Total
Visit Index
Ontario
109
U.S. 44
Other Canada 52
Overseas 26
Ontario residents accounted for the majority of Snowmobiling (94%) and total (86%) visits
U.S. visitors accounted for 4% of Snowmobiling visits compared to 8% of total visits
Visitors from Other Canada comprised 2% of Snowmobiling visits and 5% of total visits
Overseas visitors accounted for less than 1% of Snowmobiling visits and 2% of total visits
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

5. Snowmobiling and Total Spending by Origin
Snowmobiling vs. Total
Spending Index
Ontario
154
U.S. 44
Other Canada 23
Overseas 32
Ontario residents accounted for the majority of Snowmobiling (85%) and total (55%) spending
U.S. visitors accounted for 6% of Snowmobiling spending compared to 14% of total spending
Visitors from Other Canada comprised 2% of Snowmobiling spending and 9% of total spending
Overseas visitors accounted for 7% of Snowmobiling spending and 22% of total spending
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

6. Ontario Snowmobiling Visitors by Region of Residence
Snowmobiling vs. Total
Visits from Ontario Index
Reg 1 35
Reg 2
164
Reg 3 78
Reg 4 52
Reg 5 43
Reg 6
183
Reg 7
165
Reg 8 98
Reg 9 88
Reg 10 62
Reg 11
Reg 12
Reg 13
397
25% of Snowmobiling visitors from Ontario are from Region 6 compared to 14% of total visits and 19% from Region 13 (5% total visits)
Note: Ontario origin Snowmobiling visitors represented 94% (362,000) of visits and 90% ($64 M) of visitor spending
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 6

7. U.S. Snowmobiling Visitors by Region of Residence
Snowmobiling visits
(Total visits)
Mountain 0%
(2%)
West North Central
59%
(5%)
East North Central
17%
(39%)
New England 8%
(4%)
Mid Atlantic 0%
(36%)
Pacific, Alaska, Hawaii 6%
(3%)
South Atlantic 0%
(8%)
South Central 9%
(3%)
59% of U.S. Snowmobiling visitors came from West North Central states
Note: U.S. Snowmobiling visitors represented 4% (14,000) of visits and 6% ($5 M) of visitor spending
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 7

8. Destination – Snowmobiling Visits by Region
Snowmobiling vs. Total
Destination Index
Reg 1 7
Reg 2 21
Reg 3 24
Reg 4 39
Reg 5 50
Reg 6
Reg 7 92
Reg 8
276
Reg 9 49
Reg 10 35
Reg 11
258
Reg 12
716
Reg 13
397
25% of Snowmobiling visits took place in Region 13 compared to 6% of total visits, 23% in Region 12 (3% total), and 11% in Region 8 (4% total)
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 8

9. Snowmobiling Visits by Length of Stay
Snowmobiling vs. Total
Length of Stay Index
Same-day 37
Overnight
210
Avg # nights 83
The majority (76%) of Snowmobiling visits were overnight visits. For comparison, 36% of total visits in Ontario were overnight visits
The average number of nights spent on Snowmobiling visits was 2.6, below Ontario’s average of 3.2 nights
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

10. Snowmobiling $/Trip by Length of Stay
Snowmobiling vs. Total
$/Trip Index
Total
108
Same-day
100
Overnight 66
Snowmobiling visitors spent an average of $194/trip ($179/trip for total trips)
On average, overnight visitors spent almost 3 times as much per trip as same-day visitors
Total trip spending, not just spending on Snowmobiling
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

11. Snowmobiling Spending by Category
Snowmobiling vs. Ontario
Spending Index
Transportation
133
Accommodation 76
Food & Beverage
113
Rec./Entertain. 51
Retail/Other 39
The largest proportions of expenditures were spent on Transportation (48% Snowmobiling, 36% total) and Food & Beverage (31% Snowmobiling, 27% total)
Snowmobiling visitors spent a smaller proportion on accommodations, 13%, than total visitors, 17%
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

12. Other Activities done by Snowmobiling Visitors
Activity
Snowmobiling Visit Participation
Index vs Total
Any Outdoor/Sports Activity
100%
582
Snowmobiling
36644
Fishing
22%
655
Visit Friends or Relatives
17% 51
Hiking
14%
307
Cross-country Skiing
11%
3120
Wildlife/Bird watching 9%
385
Play a sport 7%
339
Skiing/Snowboarding
994
Restaurant or bar 6% 86
Activity
Snowmobiling Visit Participation
Index vs Total
Hunting 5%
1112
Sightseeing 77
Boating 4%
107
Museums/Art Galleries
148
Canoeing
183
Shopping 44
National/Provincial Nature Parks
139
Zoos/Aquariums/Botanical Gardens
229
Historic Sites
109
Cultural Performances 87
Activity
Snowmobiling Visit Participation
Index vs Total
Indigenous 3%
1948
ATV
1351
Sports Events 83
Casinos
134
Movies
383
Festivals/Fairs
122
Camping
103
Visit a beach 74
Golfing
247
Cycling
273
Snowmobiling visitors do not participate in many other activities with 22% fishing, 14% hiking, and 11% cross country skiing
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

13. Main Purpose of Snowmobiling Visit
Snowmobiling vs. Total
Purpose Index
Pleasure
167
VFR 82
Business 19
Other 18
VFR: Visiting Friends and / or Relatives
Most trips were pleasure trips (59% compared to 35% of total trips)
Other includes shopping, medical, religious, hobby/trade show, etc.
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

14. Snowmobiling Visits by Accommodation Type
Snowmobiling vs. Total
Type Index
Private
142
Commercial 38
Campground 60
The majority (87%) of overnight Snowmobiling visits were spent at unpaid accommodations such as private homes and cottages, compared to 61% of total visits
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

15. Snowmobiling Visits by Time of Year
Snowmobiling vs. Total
Quarter Index
Jan-Mar
437
Apr-Jun 13
Jul-Sept 8
Oct-Dec 32
The majority of trips occur in the winter months with 87% of Snowmobiling trips taking place in Jan-Mar versus 20% of total trips
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 15

16. Snowmobiling Visits by Gender
Snowmobiling vs. Total
Gender Index
Male
130
Female 65
Males made the majority (70%) of Snowmobiling visits. For comparison, 54% of total visits in Ontario were among male visitors
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

17. Snowmobiling Visits by Party Size
Snowmobiling vs. Total
Party Size Index
1 person 44
2 persons 75
3+ persons
231
Avg party size
135
With children
138
Avg Party Size
With children % %
55% of Snowmobiling visits were among groups of 3 or more people compared to 24% of total visits
17% of Snowmobiling visits included children versus 12% of total visits
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 17

18. Domestic Snowmobiling Visitor’s Income
Snowmobiling vs. Total
Income Index
< $50 K 46
$50 K- $75 K
143
$75 K - $100 K
118
$100 K+
117
42% of Canadian Snowmobiling visitors in Ontario had a household income greater than $100,000 compared to 36% of total visitors
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

19. Domestic Snowmobiling Visitor’s Education
Snowmobiling vs. Ontario
Education Index
< High School 34
High School 53
Some post-secondary
138
University degree 98
55% of Canadian Snowmobiling visitors in Ontario had some post secondary education compared with 40% of total visits
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

20. Snowmobiling Summary
In 2015, there were 387,000 Snowmobiling visits, accounting for 0.3% of total visits in Ontario. Snowmobiling visitors spent $75 million, or 0.3% of total visitor spending in Ontario.
Ontario residents accounted for 94% of visits and 85% of spending, residents of Other Canada accounted for 2% of visits and 2% of spending, U.S. visitors represented 4% of visits and 6% of expenditures, and overseas visitors accounted for less than 1% of visits and 7% of spending
25% of Snowmobiling visitors from Ontario are from Region 6 compared to 14% of total visits and 19% from Region 13 (5% total visits)
25% of Snowmobiling visits took place in Region 13 compared to 6% of total visits, 23% in Region 12 (3% total), and 11% in Region 8 (4% total)

21. Snowmobiling Summary
The majority (76%) of Snowmobiling visits were overnight visits. For comparison, 36% of total visits in Ontario were overnight visits. The average number of nights spent on Snowmobiling visits was 2.6, below Ontario’s average of 3.2 nights
Snowmobiling visitors spent an average of $194/trip ($179/trip for total trips). On average, overnight visitors spent almost 3 times as much per trip as same-day visitors
The largest proportions of expenditures were spent on Transportation (48% Snowmobiling, 36% total) and Food & Beverage (31% Snowmobiling, 27% total). Snowmobiling visitors spent a smaller proportion on accommodations, 13%, than total visitors, 17%
Snowmobiling visitors do not participate in many other activities with 22% fishing, 14% hiking, and 11% cross country skiing
Most trips were pleasure trips (59% compared to 35% of total trips)

22. Snowmobiling Summary
The majority (87%) of overnight Snowmobiling visits were spent at unpaid accommodations such as private homes and cottages, compared to 61% of total visits
The majority of trips occur in the winter months with 87% of Snowmobiling trips taking place in Jan-Mar versus 20% of total trips
55% of Snowmobiling visits were among groups of 3 or more people compared to 24% of total visits. 17% of Snowmobiling visits included children versus 12% of total visits
42% of Canadian Snowmobiling visitors in Ontario had a household income greater than $100,000 compared to 36% of total visitors
55% of Canadian Snowmobiling visitors in Ontario had some post secondary education compared with 40% of total visits