‘A Common Misconception’ All Snowmobile Tourism is from PEI and Nova Scotia

In 2017 the NBFSC celebrated its 35th Anniversary of organized snowmobiling. There are other “Federations” around us that have been incorporated longer but none that have been able to capitalize on winter tourism with the success of New Brunswick and the NBFSC. We are grateful for the tremendous support that we receive from all tourists, especially our friends in PEI and Nova Scotia. Some of them seem to live here in the winter.

Our early leaders recognized the importance of winter (snowmobile) tourism at the very beginning.  The earliest success came with the White Gold – Blanc D’Or campaign; still the phrase used by many to this day including our elected officials. It was memorable, effective, unique and creative; it assisted the volunteers to make N.B. a true four season tourist destination. Today, the Province’s – Tourism department’s own data shows that snowmobile tourism continues to be the leading sector every winter and leading trail sector – period.

However the numbers and trends are changing. Quebec resident snowmobilers are beginning to find New Brunswick, both for our groomed trails and for our off-trail experiences. Quebec snowmobilers are and will become the prominent visitors and best opportunity for our collective winter tourism expansion. Winter snowmobile tourism will find new revenue in both groomed trails and on Crown Lands, for off-trail riding.

Quebec quite simply is the largest Canadian market for snowmobiles. It is where the snowmobile was invented. It is where more Trail Permits are sold than anywhere else. It is part of their ‘fabric’, way of life and I would say culture. Quebecois embrace winter and everything that it brings in a positive sense.

What about the USA? Today, we have American snowmobile tourists and we would like more, but unlike Quebec they do not understand our Canadian cost structure. Why do I need a Trail Permit, my snowmobile is registered? Why do your hotels cost more? Why do your meals cost so much more? Why is your gas so expensive? And do I need a Passport? None of these objections are relevant to a potential Quebec snowmobile visitor.

The NBFSC hosted our annual Tourism Weekend again in 2017. See the results here, over the past four (4) seasons. Our largest growth of visitors is now from the Regions of Quebec, followed by NS/PEI, then Maine and various other Provinces and States. We had 1651 Visitors registered in 2017 for three days.

The Province is very close to releasing a new Tourism Growth Strategy that we are pleased to have been consulted about and included in multiple meetings this past year. We anticipate a new direction and renewed focus including winter tourism. We are supportive and pleased the Province and department realize that old strategies were not showing growth.

New Brunswick is linked virtually to Quebec with five (5) groomed snowmobile trails now. We are linked by language; we are linked by similar financial structures and most importantly linked by a passion for snowmobiling.