June 3, 2011
Province Launches Trail-based Tourism Strategy
– – –International Trails Day a Great Time to Enjoy Manitoba's Trails: Ministers
A new trail-based tourism strategy will focus on engaging tourism and service providers to capitalize on the huge potential of outdoor recreational tourism, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Flor Marcelino and Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau announced today, on the eve of International Trails Day.
“Manitoba’s natural and cultural heritage is an important provincial asset. Long-distance destination trails such as the Border to Beaches Trail in southeast Manitoba capitalize on those assets,” said Marcelino. “The province is supporting a tourism strategy for Border to Beaches (B2B) to ensure that businesses in communities like Pine Falls-Powerview can take full advantage of this opportunity.”
Newly completed sections of B2B include a new trail from Betula Lake to Twin Falls and Basket Falls, bringing park visitors to the Whiteshell Provincial Park to a new area that previously was not easily accessible. Also added were new bridges at the Caddy Lake campground and over the Whiteshell River from the Nutimik campground and a new connection to High Lake from the east end of Falcon Lake, passing what is being called a top-of-the-world lookout.
“We continue to be absolutely delighted with the support shown by the provincial government to trails in Manitoba,” said Ruth Marr, president, Manitoba Trails Association (MRTA), the group responsible for the Trans Canada Trail in Manitoba. “More Manitobans than ever are experiencing the stunningly beautiful trails across Manitoba and it’s a wonderful way to stay fit, showcase our province and drive economic development.”
Since 2001, the province has invested more than $27 million in trails funding including $12.8 million for Winnipeg trails and $1.4 million to complete the B2B active transportation route, which stretches 370 kilometres from the Ontario border to the beaches of Lake Winnipeg.
“We’ve developed more than 1,300 kilometres of recreational trails in Manitoba, providing exciting opportunities for fitness, recreation and adventure, and also unlimited opportunities for business and tourism,” said Rondeau. “Tomorrow, International Trails Day, we encourage all Manitobans to explore this wonderful and promising resource.”
Rondeau and Marcelino congratulated the MRTA and the hundreds of dedicated volunteers across the province who build, maintain and advocate for Manitoba’s rapidly improving network of recreational trails.
Manitoba’s trail network is part of the Trans Canada Trail, which covers more than 22,000 km, connecting all of Canada from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific and Arctic oceans. When it is fully completed, it will be the longest active transportation route in the world.
Rondeau noted that today’s announcement builds on other provincial investments in physical activity such as the Manitoba in motion physical activity strategy. Manitoba in motion helps all Manitobans make physical activity part of their daily lives for health and enjoyment, he said, noting that since 2005, in motion has provided $1.4 million to support 519 community grants and 99 workplace grants.
For more information on recreational trails, visit www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/recreation/rec_trails.html. Additional information can be found on the Manitoba Recreational Trails Association website at www.mrta.mb.ca/.
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