Economic and Fiscal Impact of the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council

The Challenge

The Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (Council) is an organization of volunteers dedicated to trail preservation, promotion, and development in Vermont. In late 2015, the Council sought a consultant to conduct an economic impact study to convey and quantify the economic presence that organized trail-based recreation contributes to the Vermont economy.

The Solution

The Council commissioned Camoin Associates to complete an economic and fiscal impact analysis to study and report on four of its member organizations, including the Catamount Trail Association, the Kingdom Trails Association, the Vermont All-Terrain Sportsman’s Association, and the Green Mountain Club.

The Impact

Camoin Associates worked with the Council to develop a trailhead survey to collect data on the location of origin, spending habits, trail use and activities, and other information requested by the Council.

Using the data collected during the survey, the analysis calculated the jobs, sales, and earnings created as a result of the trail systems existing in Vermont, as well as the tax revenue generated for the State as a result of the activity.

In addition to the report, Camoin Associates provided the Council with an infographic detailing the findings of the analysis to be used for marketing and grant applications.

Services Provided:

• Economic and fiscal impact infographic
• Visitor spending profile
• Economic impact on visitors
• Estimate of occupancy, sales, and property tax revenues
• Direct use benefit analysis

View the economic and fiscal impact infographic (PDF)