Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail: User Survey 2015/16 Jude Wilson LEaP Research Report No. 43 June 2016 Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail: User Survey 2015/16 Land Environment and People Research Report No. 43 June 2016 ISSN 1172-0859 (Print) ISSN 1172-0891 (PDF) ISBN 978-0-86476-407-2 (Print) ISBN 978-0-86476-408-9 (PDF) Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Reviewed by: Dr Michael Shone Lecturer in Tourism Management Lincoln University Acknowledgements The author wishes to thank Tourism Waitaki and the Alps 2 Ocean partners who assisted with the distribution of survey cards. The project was funded by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Society, Lincoln University SEED Fund. All photographs included in this report are © Jude Wilson. Abstract This report presents the findings from a 2015/16 survey of users on the Alps 2 Ocean (A2O) cycle trail. The A2O, running from Aoraki/Mt Cook to Oamaru, is the longest trail in the New Zealand Cycle Trail (NZCT) network. The survey profiled current users (demographics, importance of A2O for area visit) and described their use of the A2O (amount ridden, group size, previous A2O experience, ride logistics, other activities). The survey also measured satisfaction and expectations relating to a variety of A2O amenity and support services. Other questions explored impressions of the A2O more generally and within the context of user experience of other cycle trails in the NZCT network. Keywords A2O, cycle trail, recreation, Mackenzie Basin, Waitaki Valley, Oamaru, tourism ©LEaP, Lincoln University, New Zealand 2016 Contacts - email: [email protected] web: http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/leap This information may be copied or reproduced electronically and distributed to others without restriction, provided LEaP, Lincoln University is acknowledged as the source of information. Under no circumstances may a charge be made for this information without the express permission of LEaP, Lincoln University, New Zealand. Series URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10182/580 ii Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Table of Contents List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... v List of Photographs ..................................................................................................................... v Executive summary .................................................................................................................. vii Chapter 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................. 1 1.1.1 Cycle trail research ........................................................................ 3 Chapter 2 Methodology ......................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Survey distribution and sampling ............................................................... 5 2.2 Sampling ..................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Intercept surveys ........................................................................................ 6 2.4 Analysis and reporting of results ................................................................ 9 Chapter 3 Results ................................................................................................................. 11 3.1 Intercept Survey ....................................................................................... 11 3.1.1 Activity type ................................................................................. 11 3.1.2 Trail usage .................................................................................... 12 3.1.3 Home locations ............................................................................ 13 3.2 Online Survey - About you ........................................................................ 15 3.2.1 Age ............................................................................................... 15 3.2.2 Gender ......................................................................................... 15 3.2.3 Residence ..................................................................................... 15 3.2.4 Importance of A2O for area visit ................................................. 17 3.3 Your A2O activity ...................................................................................... 19 3.3.1 Type of activity ............................................................................. 19 3.3.2 Parts of the A2O used .................................................................. 19 3.3.3 Overnight locations ...................................................................... 23 3.3.4 Size of group ................................................................................ 27 3.3.5 Previous A2O experience ............................................................. 28 3.4 Your A2O experience ................................................................................ 31 3.4.1 A2O logistics................................................................................. 31 3.4.2 Other activities whilst in the Mackenzie/Waitaki area................ 32 3.5 What you thought of the A2O .................................................................. 37 3.5.1 Liked most .................................................................................... 37 3.5.2 Liked least .................................................................................... 44 3.5.3 Satisfaction with A2O services ..................................................... 52 3.5.4 A2O support and amenity services .............................................. 56 3.5.5 Satisfaction with hospitality and retail services .......................... 63 3.5.6 Other feedback relating to services ............................................. 68 3.5.7 Improving the A2O experience .................................................... 69 3.6 The A2O in context ................................................................................... 71 3.6.1 Other cycle trails .......................................................................... 71 3.6.2 Why choose the A2O? ................................................................. 72 3.6.3 Overall rating for the A2O............................................................ 74 3.6.4 Likelihood of recommending the A2O ......................................... 74 iii Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail Chapter 4 Concluding comments ........................................................................................ 77 4.1 A2O users and their A2O activity .............................................................. 77 4.2 A2O experiences and trail feedback ......................................................... 79 4.3 Positioning the A2O cycle trail in the NZCT network................................ 81 References ............................................................................................................................... 85 Appendices .............................................................................................................................. 87 Appendix 1: Survey schematic................................................................................................. 87 Appendix 2: Full online survey ................................................................................................ 89 Appendix 3: Intercept survey ................................................................................................ 101 Appendix 4: Survey poster .................................................................................................... 103 Appendix 5: Self-selection and record cards ......................................................................... 105 List of Figures FIGURE 1 NEW ZEALAND CYCLE TRAIL – GREAT RIDES (SOURCE: NGA HAERENGA THE NZ CYCLE TRAIL INC.) ................. 2 FIGURE 2 OHAU WEIR TRAIL COUNTER DATA ...................................................................................................... 4 FIGURE 3 MAP SHOWING INTERCEPT SITES AND NUMBER OF INTERCEPTS .................................................................. 7 FIGURE 4 TRAIL USAGE ................................................................................................................................. 12 FIGURE 5 TRAIL USE BY INTERCEPT SURVEY PERIOD ............................................................................................. 12 FIGURE 6 HOME LOCATION ........................................................................................................................... 13 FIGURE 7 HOME LOCATION BY INTERCEPT SURVEY PERIOD ................................................................................... 14 FIGURE 8 AGE ............................................................................................................................................. 15 FIGURE 9 RESIDENCE .................................................................................................................................... 16 FIGURE 10 CANTERBURY RESIDENTS ...............................................................................................................