Snowmobile Related Tourism - a MAJOR job Generator

 

Snowmobiling is recognized in rural America as an Economic Engine and a big job generator.  Surveys performed at the beginning of this snowmobile season reported that more than 75% of all snowmobilers had planned on snowmobiling more this year than they had in previous years and snowmobilers were looking forward to good snow conditions.  On August 25, 2003, the Farmer's Almanac predicted a cold winter with plenty of snow for most of North America.  The majority of the Snow Belt enjoyed a cold winter with reasonable snow cover.  I, for one, snowmobiled throughout the Great Lakes region and experienced the great trail conditions.  During the third week in February of 2004, Halifax, Nova Scotia reported 95 cm of snow in a 3-day period!  The State of Wyoming has realized record snowfall and Newfoundland and Labrador are measuring their snowfall in meters.  We know that they were snowmobiling in November in Quebec and Utah.  Needless to say, Mother Nature was fairly kind to us this year and we are hopeful that the final sales reports of new snowmobiles will mirror the positive winter riding conditions.

 

Most of us have been riding more this year and new economic impact analysis is showing a substantial increase in snowmobile related economic activity. 

 

Plymouth State University and the Institute for New Hampshire Studies recently completed a study of snowmobilers spending for the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association, and the economic impact is HUGE.

 

In the winter of 2003 New Hampshire determined that the total impact on their state's economy by snowmobilers was nearly $1.2 billion.  This spending by snowmobilers was 1% of the gross state product and more than 10% of all travelers spending in the state.  In 1995-1996, New Hampshire did a similar study and determined that $363 million was generated for the state's economy in direct and indirect spending.  This increase of 60% in economic activity over a 10-year time period, is noteworthy, and must be recognized.

 

The average snowmobiler living in New Hampshire made 12 snowmobiling trips per season, some of which included overnight stays, some of which did not.  The average non-New Hampshire resident visitor makes 9 trips to New Hampshire each snowmobile season. 

 

Average spending per visitor per day in New Hampshire was $67.07 per resident and $88.30 from non-residents.  In addition to spending on their trips, each snowmobiler spends $1,830.00 annually on equipment, clothing, club membership, insurance, and state license fees.

 

Snowmobilers spend money on accommodations, for ground transportation, eating at restaurants, retail shopping, and other activities.  All sectors of the economy benefit from snowmobiling activity.  8,099 New Hampshire jobs exist because of snowmobiling.  The vast majority of those jobs (79%) are in the hospitality and leisure sector. 

 

It should come as no surprise that a substantial segment of snowmobile spending ends up being collected by the state in the form of state tax.  8.6 cents of every dollar spent in New Hampshire, by a snowmobiler, ends up being directly collected by the state.  The state of course collects money in taxes on lodging, restaurants, foods, gasoline, business profits, registrations and fees paid to the State Parks Fish & Game Departments. 

 

Soon to be completed economic impact studies from other states and provinces are sure to show big increases in snowmobile-related jobs and tourism activity.

 

Yellowstone Economic Impact

 

No place can the economic impact of snowmobiling be felt greater, or be reported on more directly, than in and around Yellowstone National Park.  Following the ruling by Judge Sullivan in Washington DC, the State of Wyoming reported a direct job loss of 938 full time jobs.  For the State of Wyoming, with a population of less than 500,000 this 938-job loss has a tremendous impact on the economy.  To put it in perspective, these net losses in Wyoming are equivalent to 67,743 lost jobs in California or 37,952 lost jobs in New York, or 12,698 jobs in Massachusetts.  Yes, snowmobiling is an important part of the economic engine and is a job retainer and creator for all snow-belt economies. 

 

Snowmobilers are hard working, caring, responsible tax paying citizens that spend their money generating jobs for their neighbors.  If politicians want to help generate jobs, lets make sure they tell the truth about snowmobiling!!