Smart towns know how to capitalize on active and bike tourism

South Lake Tahoe can create a sustainable economy if we focus on "active tourism." This was the message relayed by the panel of speakers at Wednesday's Tahoe Talk series at Lake Tahoe Community College.

If the 15 page spread about Lake Tahoe in the May edition of Bike magazine is any indication, people know about the activity/recreation based tourism awaiting them in Tahoe, and they're about to come.

Are we ready?,

Just about.

The impact active tourism can have on South Lake Tahoe was spoken about by the panel which consisted of Carol Chaplin of the Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority, Curtis Fong, owner of TGFT Productions, Jason Collin, TahoeChamber Board President and Gary Bell, owner of Sierra Ski and Cycle Works.

With $2 trillion spent on tourism in the U.S annually, about 10% of that is spent on bike tourism. $200 billion....how much of that can make it's way to Lake Tahoe?

The traditional tourist will spend $60 per day while on vacation. The bicycle tourist will spend $75 per day. Since they are biking and cannot carry all they need on a bike, they will stop more often in a community, and visit more shops. The active and bicycle tourists want to interact with the locals and they visit smaller towns because of this, and the fact that its easier to ride and be active outside of the big cities.

Ben Fish, President of the Bijou Bike Park Association, TAMBA and a landscape architect with Design Workshop, helped facilitate the discussion and presented a series of infographics (many are shown in this story) which sum up the active tourism headed to Lake Tahoe, or are already here.

Lake Tahoe appears on the bucket list of mountain bikers around the country. The smart and successful business will be ready for them.

How can you and your business embrace the active tourist? Lodging partners can have hoses/bike cleaning station, simple repair tools, laundry facilities and shops, bars and restaurants can add welcoming looking (and safe) bike racks. Have maps and local knowledge about where to ride, information for both the extreme bikers and the casual cruise type biker.

The fastest growing sector seen in Lake Tahoe is the day rider who can easily be turned into someone who is going to stay two or three days. The more welcoming the community is to the biker and other active lifestyle tourists, the more they'll want to stay. People are already pleased with their experience here so it is a fine line on how many more trails can be added. "Don't Moab Tahoe," said Gary Bell. People enjoy the quality of their Lake Tahoe experience with quiet and nature and a community to embrace and they won't want the almost Disneyland experience of nature in Moab.

Curtis Fong, who puts on America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride and Tour de Tahoe, said he has had 75,000 participants come to Lake Tahoe for the Most Beautiful ride since it's inception 23 years ago. They have brought an estimated $150 million into the community to date.

"They come to Tahoe because it matches their lifestyle," Fong said.

The cycling tourist is also getting older. The ones that first came to Tahoe to experience The Flume or Mr. Toad's when they were 20-somethings are now bringing their families back. These active visitors also have a higher income. Those coming in for Fong's events average 30-59 years old, are college graduates and are more environmentally aware.

For most, biking may just be a small part of their visit. It enhances their experience. They are also hiking, eating and drinking, swimming and taking photos. And they love burgers.

If your business doesn't know what to do for the active tourist, contact the TahoeChamber. Bike racks are important as are knowledgeable front line staff. Get trail maps from the Bicycle Coalition or any other source so you can hand them to guests. Have some "insider information" about cycling. Know how to get from your business to the trails. Have a restaurant? Cycling collateral at the tables would be a great talking point. Know what events are happening in town and put a welcome sign out for them. Locals who aren't business owners can also help retain the active tourist. We can all be concierges and offer tips and assistance.

With successful biking events like Fong's two and the recent women's Amgen Tour, people know Lake Tahoe is a place to come and enjoy outdoor activities including cycling. Lake Tahoe is now #3, after Moab and Sedona, AZ, as a cycling destination in the west.

Let's be ready.