Tourism

Basic Aspects of the Issue

Tourism in Manitoba takes on several types.

• eco-tourism where tourists engage in ecological activities in an ecologically friendly manner
• agri-tourism where tourists spend a period of time exposed to the agricultural sector
• fishing and hunting where tourists are engaged in pursuits of fish and game
• event based tourism where tourists are attracted to and engage in events at a specific location
• fly-over tourism where tourists fly over Manitoba en route to more interesting places to visit, an may look down briefly on Manitoba and think "My, what a friendly place!"...which I guess is one better than the tourist in Keewatin Ontario, lost in a maze of torn up streets due to installation of sewer and water, who asked me, "How do I get out of this arm-pit of a town?!"

I once produced a 90-minute audiotape for auto tourists going up and down the highways of Manitoba, bringing out the history and background of the areas they were driving through. It amazed me when I saw just how much there was to do in Manitoba, and how much fascinating history there actually is here.

Most of Manitoba history centers around the junction of he Red and Assiniboine Rivers which were the two main transportation routes until very recently. The "capital region" of Winnipeg and surrounding municipalities still accounts for 75% of Manitoba's population, so if tourists like people, that is where they want to be. If they prefer landscape to people then they head north. If they are into agriculture and big skies, they head west.

The development of freshwater fishing facilities, particularly in northern Manitoba, is complicated by unsettled Native Land Claims. The development of required infrastructure is hampered by uncertainty of long-term ownership rights. One government negotiator mentioned recently that the actual amounts of land have been pretty well arrived at, but the problem is finding unencumbered land. Rights to surface activities such as forestry have been allocated in such a haphazard manner that there is very little land left without some such encumbrance which can be used to settle the claims.

Issues of employment in remote areas, and the interplay of forestry and tourism are other issues affecting freshwater fishing.

Rural Development Institute Research Studies

• "A Stake in the North: Papers on Mining Forestry and Remote Tourism" - Ray Bollman and Richard Rounds (eds.)
  This report includes three papers concerning employment in rural areas. One of the three reports has implications for northern sport fishing in so far as it relates to the forestry industry's impact on the tourist industry in the north.
  • Access roads are used by forestry companies as well as fishermen, and their existence raises encroachment issues.
  • Fly-in fishermen become very aware of clear-cut practices and "islands of bush"
  • Northern remoteness places a restraint on employment practices.

• "Eco-tourism in Manitoba" - David B. Weaver, and Richard Rounds
  Pristine environment is now so rare that people travel long distances just to se some. This non-consumptive activity is a fledgling activity in Manitoba. This study gives the state of the industry at this time.

• "The Agri-Tourism Industry in Manitoba: a 1997 Profile of Operations and Issues" -C.L. Glen and Richard Rounds
  At the time of writing of this study, Manitoba had 80 agri-tourism facilities. Using questionnaires and interviews, this study looked at
  • 22 bed and breakfasts
  • 18 Vacation farms
  • 10 Day tours

  These facilities range in size from one to 1400 acres and five to thirty thousand dollars income. The study has a good bibliography and forms a good overview of agri-tourism in Manitoba.

  Factors working against the industry were found to be"

  • weather
  • lack of clientele
  • need for facility improvement
  • government regulations
  Factors working in favor of the industry were found to be:
  • rural landscape
  • wildlife
  • social events
  • few cultural or economic barriers
  • government support like assistance on co-operative advertising.

  
  

• "User Needs Survey of Rivers Provincial Recreation Park" -Richard Rounds
  After the Rivers Air Force Base closed, the local park fell into disrepair. The local citizens wanted to rejuvenate it so asked for assistance from the RDI. A survey was conducted of local citizens in order to determine the uses for which it should be developed. This study is the results of that survey research.

• "Human Intervention in The Clear Lake Basin of Riding Mountain National Park: Visitor Services" -