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Local businesses take note: |
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Travelers visiting the International Selkirk
Loop report spending nearly $5 million in our
region |
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November 21, 2014 |
 The
International Selkirk Loop is a significant
travel destination, a roadway coursing through
beautiful scenery and remarkable recreational
opportunities in Northern Idaho, Eastern
Washington, and southeast British Columbia.
The Northern Idaho portion passes right through
Boundary County.
Officials of the International Selkirk Loop have
recently completed an online traveler survey
that provides valuable information for the
member communities and businesses of the scenic
Loop region. The survey asked thousands of
travelers a variety of questions concerning
interests while visiting the area, their
planning preferences, and also surveyed spending
habits related to the economic impacts this All
American Road Scenic Byway brings to the region.
The results of the survey not only provide the
International Selkirk Loop with the demographics
of travelers visiting the area, but also
provides them with insight as to how to support
those travelers interests to encourage them to
stay in the area longer.
“The information we have gathered is exciting,”
says Stephanie Sims, Executive Director of the
International Selkirk Loop. “We have found that
travelers are staying longer, modes of travel
around the loop have changed, as well as some
emerging interests in activities that we have
not seen on previous surveys.”
Knowing who the International Selkirk Loop is
marketing to has been key to their past success
and will again dictate any necessary changes to
their marketing strategy.
The Results
Our travelers are well-educated, affluent baby
boomers between the ages of 40-69, 50% of whom
are planning to spend 3-5 days traveling the
Loop. They are a web-based travel culture; 94%
are accustomed to booking accommodations online,
and 40% of them plan their trips two months or
less prior to departure. This survey group
(5,371 people) spent over $4,860,000.00 while
visiting the area.
Predominantly a rubber tire market with emergent
modes of travel trends in
bicycle and motorcycling touring. Fuel costs may
be a factor, although RV travel remained at 10%,
which is the same as an earlier survey.
Accommodations in Bed and Breakfasts and in
cabins are now equal to hotels and motels.
Hiking continues to be the most popular activity
for travelers looking to visit the area, and the
International Selkirk Loop's hiking maps are
some of the top items requested from area
businesses. Wildlife viewing has always been a
popular activity for travelers, however this
survey showed an increased interest in bird
watching. Another emerging activity that we have
not seen before is an increased interest in
museums, cultural, and historical sites.
About the International Selkirk Loop
The International Selkirk Loop is a 280-mile
(450-km) scenic drive encircling the Selkirk
Mountains in northeast Washington, northern
Idaho and southeast British Columbia. The Loop
was established in 1999 as a non-profit
corporation designated to enhance the local
economy through the promotion of tourism along
its route.
For more information on the International
Selkirk Loop, and to join the Loop organization,
visit
www.selkirkloop.org |
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