Regional Community Entrepreneurship through Tourism: The Case of Victoria’s Rail Trails

How to cite this study

Beeton, S. 2010. Regional community entrepreneurship through tourism: the case of Victoria’s rail trails. International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development 2(1-2): 128-148.

Overview

This study summarizes the spending patterns and travel characteristics of respondents cycling on the Murray to the Mountains trail in Australia. A comparison of results to the author’s previous 2003 study on the same trail found that the overall economic contribution per person per trip grew from AUS$203 in 2003 to AUS$483 in 2006, not accounting for inflation.

Relevance

Quantifying the environmental, health, and economic benefits of transforming publicly-owned land like a rail line into a cycling route is relevant to trail developers and community planners building support for the route. The demographic and behavioral insights gained from the survey can be used to develop and market the trail effectively. For example, in this study the author learned that most travel groups on the trail included families, suggesting that family restaurants or lodging could accommodate and encourage these groups on the route. 

The time period for data collection may bias the estimates. The author collected data during Easter holiday break, a time that is popular for tourists. However, the results are similar to the 2003 study that was undertaken during the same period, indicating the 2006 study’s results are reasonably consistent estimates over time, but may not be representative of other time periods throughout the year.

Location

This study is located in North East Victoria, Australia.

Trail Type

The Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail (MTM) is a rail trail that connects the towns of Wangaratta, Beechworth, Myrtleford, Porepunkah, and Bright. There are 98 km of track that supports cycling, horse riding, and walking.

Purpose

In a previous 2003 study, the author studied the economic impact of three rail trails. However, the data collection occurred after a series of summer bushfires that resulted in fewer people on the cycling trail. To address the bushfire effect and study the characteristics and expenditures of respondents using a well-developed trail over time, the author conducted this study using the same methodological approach on the Murray to the Mountains trails – one of the trails in her previous work.

Findings

• Out of 625 cyclists, 396 were men and 239 were women. All traveled in groups. Most groups traveled with partners or family. There may have been more families or groups due to the Easter holiday. 
• 11% of cyclists were under 10 years old, suggesting the family-oriented use of the trail. 
• A little less than 25% of respondents did not spend on food and beverage, while others’ expenditures ranged up to AUS$1,000. 
• 19% of respondents spent money on bicycles; the average expenditure was AUS$54.19. 
• On average, respondents spent AUS$27 on accommodations per person per day, AUS$147 on food and beverages, AUS$47 on transportation, AUS$10 on cycling, and AUS$27 for an “other” category. 
• The total economic contribution per person in 2003 was AUS$203 and increased to AUS$483 in 2006. The author does not appear to account for inflation.