The Manitoba Recreational Trails Association formed Border to Beaches with the goal of encouraging eco-tourism and economic development in communities along the trail. On September 22, the MRTA is taking a giant leap forward as it celebrates its first commercial partnership with WE Hike and Bike. This new eco-tourism company is based at Wilderness Edge Retreat and Conference Center in Pinawa, Manitoba, about halfway along the Border to Beaches route which runs from the Manitoba/Ontario border to Grand Beach.
WE Hike and Bike will be trekking out on its first commercial cycling eco-tour with special guest Jim Bishop, chair of the Trans Canada Trail Charitable Organization. The B2B Celebration Tour will deploy by shuttle van from the Forks in Downtown Winnipeg on Thursday September 22 at 8:00am. Travellers will cycle 225 km over four days from Pine Falls to Falcon Lake with stops at various tourism facilities along the way. Roy Hildebrand, co-founder of WE Hike and Bike was quick to recognize the business potential associated with the new Border to Beaches.“B2B is a dynamic asset right in our own backyard!” said Roy. “As we develop the hike/bike tour business in this part of MB, we expect to engage many service providers along t0 comments awaiting moderationhe trail route and this will significantly extent the economic impact. In time, this will include all aspects of eco-tourism and allow visitors to experience all that the Border to Beaches Tourism area has to offer.”
“We are thrilled to have WE Hike and Bike as our first commercial partner,” added David King, President of MRTA. “Having a professional tour company package and promote tours will add to the overall use of that trail. It’s a great way to attract tourists from outside Manitoba and a new option for the many local outdoor enthusiasts who use the trail on a regular basis. But perhaps the most important benefit is the spin-off economic impact. On this inaugural tour, participants will experience four established resorts along the trail, providing new revenue for these operators and introducing new customers to their facilities.”
Jim Bishop, chair of the Trans Canada Trail will join the inaugural tour. “It’s an exciting day for the TCT and a fantastic news story for Manitoba and Canadian Tourism,” said Bishop. “MRTA has done a great job building and maintaining this new section of the Trail and with the private companies that have gotten involved to promote the Trail is a testimony to their success. This is exactly what we want to see here in Manitoba and in other regions along the trail.”
For more information contact: Sandra Jones
Jones Communications
772-9267 or 296-6605