Island Trails hopes to attract more tourists through 'soft adventure' tourism

Island Trails, the non-profit group that maintains hiking and biking trails in the province, hopes to attract more people to the trails, through a focus on soft adventuretourism.

This year's campaign by Tourism P.E.I. has a focus on soft adventureactivities such as kayaking, cycling, and hiking. Island Trails members discussed how the trails could play a role in that focus at its annual general meeting Thursday evening.

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Vision 2021

The focus on soft adventure tourism is based on Vision 2021, a five-year tourism strategy developed by the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I., which noted that outdoor activities haven't been promoted as well as they could be.

TIAPEI CEO Kevin Mouflier spoke about the strategyat Island Trails' AGM. The group also heard from Island Trails board member Ken Miller, who shared his personal experience with soft adventure tourism in other parts of the world.

Miller and his wifehave recently travelled to a number of international destinations to go hiking.

"We were feeling increasingly that we were seeing things internationally that might be useful to share with folks here on the Island," said Miller.

For one thing, Miller said he has noticed that the popularity of hiking seems to be increasing, andbelieves it would be smart for P.E.I. to capitalize on the growing market.

Learning from other countries

Miller said his travels have also taught him what other destinations do well when it comes to promoting soft adventure tourism. He said he was particularly impressed with his experiences in Ireland and New Zealand.

"They just do it so well. It makes it quite painless, and you can put together the sort of packages that you need. The information is all there, it's easily accessible," said Miller of his experience organizing his trips to New Zealand.

He thinks P.E.I. could learn a lesson from those countries, by offering easy, one-stop ways for people to plan a vacation.

If they're packaged properly, then people will find it. And if it's easy to book, easy to find, easy to do; they'll do it.- Ken Miller

"I think that today people seek out vacation opportunities in soft [adventure] tourism by looking for the activity first. They're not seeking out the restaurant orthe B&B or the accommodation. They're seeking out the activity, and then they're looking for the other things," said Miller.

"If they're packaged properly, then people will find it. And if it's easy to book, easy to find, easy to do; they'll do it."

Mouflier agreed that creating more of a one-stop shopwould be useful for attracting more tourists, and that ispart of TIAPEI's goal.

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