Description of Organization
REALPAC (Real Property Association of Canada) is a national industry association representing leading organizations in Canada’s commercial real estate sector. Its members include developers, property owners, investors, asset managers, pension funds, and other organizations involved in building, managing, and investing in real estate. REALPAC supports the industry through research, advocacy, professional education, and opportunities for collaboration on issues affecting real estate and the built environment.
Problem area
One of the healthiest activities for people of all ages is walking. The rise of active vacations worldwide, especially hiking, has become a major tourism driver in some countries. For example, the Camino de Santiago, a well‑known, credentialed walk, has achieved huge success over hundreds of years. Others include the Kumano Kodo in Japan (also credentialed), the Via Francigena (credentialed), and many uncredentialed walks in Europe and the U.K.
They all share these hallmarks:
- Trails free of automobile traffic
- Hostels in small towns or villages roughly every 12–20 km
- Small hotels at the same locations
- Luggage‑transfer services between stops available
- Well market signposts along the way, some with branded logos.
- Minimum distance for a credential (typically > 100 km)
What opportunities exist in Canada to develop and market a credentialed walk or multiple walks that leverages this model and attracts global travelers seeking an active vacation, with some uniquely Canadian sightseeing, while offering comparable infrastructure?
Main objectives
- Assess the opportunity for credentialed long-distance walking routes in Canada as an active tourism product.
- Identify Canadian routes or regions with strong potential based on scenery, accessibility, communities, and existing trail infrastructure.
- Review successful international walking-route models and the features that contribute to their success.
- Identify infrastructure and service gaps, such as accommodation, luggage transfer, signage, and credentialing.
- Recommend potential approaches for developing and marketing a uniquely Canadian walking experience to domestic and international travellers.
Scope of work
- Conduct a literature and environmental scan of successful international long-distance walking routes.
- Identify and assess potential Canadian routes or regions using agreed criteria.
- Review existing trail infrastructure, accommodations, transportation, signage, and visitor services.
- Identify key gaps and opportunities for creating a credentialed walking experience.
- Develop recommendations for route development.
Deliverables
- Report
- Presentation
- Resources
Frequency
- To be determined upon discussion with the project team.
Skills and training required
- Urban/regional planning
- Research and environmental scanning
- GIS and mapping
- Market and visitor analysis
- Report writing and presentation skills
Resources required
- GIS and mapping tools
- Trail, transportation, and infrastructure maps
- Information on accommodations, services, and attractions along potential routes
- International case studies and best-practice examples
- Basic data analysis and presentation software
NDA or a commercialization agreement for this project?
Yes