Outdoor Activities

Consumer Insights

According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association, “To meet the definition of adventure travel, a trip must take an individual outside of his or her regular environment for more than 24 hours—and for no longer than one consecutive year—and include at least two of the following three aspects: participation in a physical activity, a visit to a natural environment and a culturally immersive experience.”
In South Eastern Ontario, outdoor activities encompass a vast array of experiences that tend be geared towards soft adventure, such as: boating, cruising, fishing, paddling, scuba, fresh-water sailing.
Travellers cite that the natural beauty, attractiveness of the region, beaches, waterfront and lakes are top reasons for enjoying their trips to South Eastern Ontario. In addition to the natural environment, travellers are primarily motivated by culture and food & drink.
When it comes to cycling, Ontario residents account for the vast majority of visits and spending. Cycling visitors participate in a variety of outdoor activities such as visiting a beach, hiking, and boating while in Ontario.
Trail visitors are defined as those who visit a national, provincial or nature park, go hiking or backpacking, go wildlife viewing or bird watching, go camping, go cycling, go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, go snowmobiling and ATVing. Trail visitors are most likely to go hiking, camping, visit a national/provincial/nature park, and beach.
Canada’s attractiveness as an adventure destination amongst US adventure travellers is strong. The most popular activity US adventure travellers undertake is backpacking/hiking/trekking.