Cycling Tourism helping recharge Simcoe County's economy
Cycling in Simcoe County has boomed significantly over the past few years, helping local businesses get back on track.
"During the pandemic, cyclists were just travelling locally," said Tourism Simcoe County experience development coordinator Brendan Matheson.
According to Cycle Simcoe, cyclists generated around $850,000 for the region's economy last year.
"In 2021, we had over 2,500 overnight stays as a direct result of cycling tourism. And that surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic, which was actually around 1,500," said Matheson.
He said they've mapped out and posted cycling-specific signs along multiple routes across Simcoe County. The longest route, the 160-kilometre Simcoe County Loop Trail, is considered one of the premier cycling loops in Ontario.
"We're actually seeing that the promotion and the route development is actually working. And we're seeing a lot of cyclists come for multi-day, self-guided tours, staying in the region and supporting local businesses."
Cheryl Kydd, owner of Dragonfly Dreams Inn, said the rise in cycle tourism's popularity had benefited her business.
"This is my biggest year."
Cyclists have rooms at Kydd's inn booked throughout the summer.
"They actually book a year in advance. They do blocks of four suites each month starting in June, July, August, September," said Kydd.
Her Midland bed and breakfast is one of 80 cycling-friendly businesses to have partnered with the tours.
After a slow two years due to the pandemic, Kydd said she's delighted to see business return to a booming pace.
"I look forward to the cycling business because they offer a different type of clientele."
Kydd said she already has repeat customers, with many visiting from outside the region.
"They want to explore small rural Ontario towns. There's so much to offer, so it's booming," she added.
A sold-out five-day event is being held along the trail in August, with 150 cyclists participating.
It will mark one of the largest events Cycle Simcoe has seen so far, with the hope it'll continue growing the sport and supporting the economy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Bob Cole, veteran CBC broadcaster and former voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada,' dead at 90
Bob Cole, legendary CBC broadcaster and former voice of Hockey Night in Canada, has died. He was 90.
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.