For the Adirondack North Country Region, the economic potential for increased tourism exists in the form of vacations with a bicycling focus. The region is replete with beautiful scenery, mountains, lakes, and has a significant historic and cultural heritage. The lodging industry is well rooted in the area with accommodations ranging from bed and breakfasts, to small inns, to Great Camps, to motels/hotels, to campgrounds. For the bicyclist, there already exists a network of highways and roads highly desirable for bicycling touring. A recent increase in the number of bicycle shops in the region will provide the technical support necessary for individuals and groups touring the region.

There are at least four types of information necessary for determining how to entice bicyclists, and those who might be interested in bicycling, to the Adirondack North Country Region:

In order to obtain this type of information about the region, the Bicycle Master Plan study team undertook a two part survey effort. The study team designed one questionnaire specifically for the lodging industry in the Adirondack North Country Region. Another questionnaire was developed for bicyclists and other tourists to the region. The summary and recommendations based on the survey results provide interested tourism and bicycle-related businesses with insights on the most cost effective means of developing their own promotional materials, and offer insights on a regional marketing approach focused on bicycling.

The profile of bicyclists documents patterns of recreational use, how they decide where to go, where they stay, what they spend, specific needs and preferences, attractions and activities of interest, and ratings of such in the North Country. The lodging owner survey results tend to confirm the same type of behaviors, needs, preferences, etc. and demonstrate the lodgings' capability of satisfying them. Also documented are lodging owners' present promotions, and future promotion considerations.

The bicyclist and the lodging surveys provide us with a foundation of information that can be used, first, to entice the bicyclist to the area, and second, to make their visit as enjoyable as possible. Bicycle maps, events, and articles seem to be key to attracting bicyclists, while scenery, good roads, rural countryside, lakes, and quality lodging make their visits most enjoyable.

A total of 460 B&Bs, hotels/motels, and campgrounds were surveyed in the spring of 1994 for the Bicycle Master Plan project. Even though the lodging owners are traditionally people who have very little time to spare -- only 25% of household income is provided by lodging business -- many took the time to answer the 10 page questionnaire. The results are based on a response of 94 of 240 B&Bs surveyed (36%); 22 of 120 campgrounds (20%); and 16 of 51 hotels/motels surveyed (31%). Due to the large percentage of B&Bs comprising the sample (71%), the survey results reported on here primarily reflect the attitudes of B&B operators. Where appropriate, such as with average room rates, the results are reported by lodging type.

Since there are some 300 B&Bs in the 14 county region north of the Mohawk Valley, approximately with 1 out of every 3.5 B&B owners are represented in the survey findings. The campgrounds listed in the Adirondack Regional Accommodations directory (most complete listing of campgrounds in the region) in addition to those listed by Oswego County's tourism office were each mailed a survey. The timing of the survey effort -- winter -- was likely a major influence on the low response rate among campground owners/managers. The hotel/motels were randomly selected based on 4 to 5 establishments for each of the 14 counties in the region. The surveys should be viewed as exploratory, and will hopefully be the in a series of in-depth looks at the Adirondack North Country tourism industry. The complete lodging survey results provided in the Bicycle Master Plan Appendices, attached.

Results of the survey show that the lodging industry is tuned into the bicycling phenomenon and interested in becoming more involved in attracting this market. Overall, 52% of the lodging participants feel that bicycling is on the increase. This attitude is reinforced by the 98% who responded that they would like to attract more bicyclists to their business. A strong interest was stated for being involved in advertising in a regional brochure or map focusing on bicycling, with over 64% responding positively. So far, only 10% of the lodgings have done any advertising directed specifically at bicyclists. In addition, 70% indicated they are interested in offering bicycle touring packages, the highest response rate among the nine travel packages listed.

The lodging industry in the Adirondack North Country Region has some experience with bicycle touring. Findings from the study showed that 69% have had guests who were traveling by bicycle. The same percentage of lodging establishments reported having one or more guests who brought bicycles with them in 1993, and 41% said that one or more of their guests wanted to rent bicycles last year.

It appears that there is a viable interest in bicycling touring from both parties, the lodging industry and the traveler. Lodging owners estimate that at least 62% of the bicyclists staying with them are more interested in bicycling on paved roads, rather than on dirt roads or trails. The roads and trails preferred by bicyclists are by and large very close to the lodging establishments because the owners estimate that 84% of their bicycling guests usually leave by bicycle right from the front door.

Lodging owners note that bicyclists especially appreciate healthy foods high in carbohydrates, complemented by fresh fruits. Bicyclists were observed to be most interested in relaxing, swimming, exploring historic sites, and enjoying scenery. These perceptions of the lodging owners were confirmed as accurate by the bicyclist survey respondents. According to lodging owners, especially important to the bicyclist is the need to store bicycles where they can be locked up. A place to work on and clean their bicycles is also greatly appreciated. Some B&Bs mentioned that their garage and a garden hose have adequately served their bicycling guests. Close to 3/4s of the B&Bs, 1/4 of the campgrounds and 1/2 of the hotel/motels offer secure, covered bicycle storage.

In terms of attractions and points of interests in the vicinity of lodging establishments, the choices are as varied as the places to stay themselves. For example, over 50% of the lodging sample have historic sites, museums, and mountain biking trails directly adjacent or within a short drive (less than five miles) of their property. Almost 75% have lakes, rivers, hiking trails, swimming spots, and scenic overlooks either directly adjacent or within a short drive (less than five miles). As indicated by the bicyclist survey respondents, these types of attractions are exactly what most bicyclists are looking for.

The advertising done by the lodging industry to attract travelers appears very diverse, yet the dollars spent by the industry in the area will remain steady for the next year. Only a quarter will spend more on advertising next year. The most popular advertising strategies include: individual brochures, accommodation directories, and direct mailings. The majority promote locally (51%) and use local and regional publications rather than national publications. Of significance to groups interested in developing bicycle maps, 64% of the lodging owners indicated they would like to be contacted about advertising in a brochure or map focused on bicycling.

The lodging industry in the Adirondacks appears to be open and willing to attract more bicycle tourists and seems eager to put their efforts forward to capture some of this market. Most accommodations feature the diversity of attractions and points of interest in close vicinity valued by bicyclists. How many regions in the country can boast of having lakes, rivers, and hiking trails within the vicinity of three-quarters of their lodging establishments, and one-third adjacent to a swimming spot?

It appears that tourists who stay overnight in the Adirondack North Country Region will find that the average B&B rate of $59 is very reasonable compared to the natural average of $75 per night/couple (Emerick 1992). The rates for campgrounds average $21/night/campsite, while hotels average $71. A third of the B&Bs offer lunch and dinner, as do more than 2/3s of the motels. Almost all lodging types offer a total capacity that would accommodate the average 5 to 13 person bicycle tour group size