300 - Evaluating the Economic Impact of Manitoba’s Hunting and Fishing Industry

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Evaluating the Economic Impact of Manitoba’s Hunting and Fishing Industry

Travel Manitoba is a Crown Corporation responsible for stimulating innovative, sustainable tourism growth in Manitoba’s $1.6 billion tourism industry. In partnership with the tourism industry, Travel Manitoba is responsible for tourism marketing, visitor information services, research and public information. 

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of the project is to measure the economic impact of Manitoba’s hunting and fishing sector and compare results to research completed in 2012 (based on 2010 calendar year results).  More specifically the study will determine:

• Total expenditures generated by outfitted hunting and fishing in Manitoba (payments to outfitters, tourism expenditures other than those paid to outfitters, and license costs).
• Total GDP impact generated including direct and indirect impacts, induced impact and total impact (outfitted hunting and fishing, non-outfitted hunting and fishing, and combined impact).
• Total number of jobs and labour income generated by the outfitted hunting and fishing in Manitoba.
• Tax impacts at the federal, provincial and municipal level.
• Industry perspectives on environmental and social impacts in the areas of habitat preservation, resource management, energy use, social and emotional attachments, etc. 
• Characteristics of hunting and fishing businesses (hobby business or full time, visitor origin, etc.)
• The current state of the industry including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the hunting and fishing sector in Manitoba.
• Determine product/market matches for hunting and fishing products in Manitoba and identify development opportunities that hold the most potential to increase tourism expenditures in Manitoba.
• Provide recommendations and directions for the development of future promotional and marketing initiatives. Identify markets that hold the highest potential now and in the future for operators.
• Determine how long Canadian and non-Canadian hunters and anglers have been engaged in both hunting and/or angling to help identify trends in hunter/angler recruitment and retention.

• This study focuses on the Manitoba hunting and fishing industry including both the supply side (licensed lodge and outfitting operations) and the demand side (hunting and fishing license holders residing in Canada and the US).  The study will focus on 2019 calendar year outcomes.
• This study will focus on the following populations:
  • Canadian residents (including Manitobans) and non-Canadian residents who used the services of an outfitter for hunting or fishing.
  • Canadian residents (including Manitobans) and non-Canadian residents who fished or hunted without the services of an outfitter.
• Design and execute a stakeholder survey targeting outfitter owners in the province to collect the following information:
  • Background information such as license sales information, expenditure and hunting and fishing pattern information.
  • Stakeholder interviews need to include Manitoba Outfitters Association, government agencies such Conservation, and a number of Manitoba outfitter operators.
  • The consultant will be expected to attend the Manitoba Lodges & Outfitters Association Exhibition and Fundraising Banquet and Fish Hunt Summit on December 9 and 10 to garner support and participation by outfitters in the project.
• Design and execute a survey targeting clients of outfitters in the province to collect the following information:
  • Outfitted hunting and fishing patterns (including seasonality), expenditure data, trip characteristics, attitudinal data, trip planning, and demographic data. Data should also include geographical location by city/town/state/country, how long the respondent has been involved in hunting/fishing activities, and species targeted (i.e., smallmouth bass, walleye, whitetail deer, black bear, waterfowl).
• Design and execute a survey targeting fishers and hunters that purchased a fishing license in the province in 2019 to collect the following information: 
  • Fishing patterns (including seasonality), expenditure information, attitudinal data, demographic information and travel patterns. Data should also include geographical location by city/town/province/state/country, how long the respondent has been involved in hunting/fishing activities, and special targeted (i.e., smallmouth bass, walleye, whitetail deer, black bear, waterfowl).
• The analysis and reporting must include:
  • Introduction – objectives, methodology, reporting
  • Executive Summary – key findings in all areas
  • Analysis and reporting of all finding in key sections
  • Conclusions
  • Appendices: copy of questionnaire, and data files based on methodologies employed. For example, statistical tables for all analyses completed, focus group results, complete references for secondary sources.
• The project will proceed under the direction of a Steering Committee and will be administered by Travel Manitoba. The consultant will be expected to meet with the Steering Committee, providing verbal and written progress reports as required.
• The consultant will produce draft and final copies of a summary report documenting the research findings, analysis of the data, conclusions and recommendations. All research finding are to be submitted in an electronic format compatible with MS office. A summary of the report must also be provided in PowerPoint.

• Any questions or requests for clarification should be submitted by 12:00noon CST on October 31, 2019. Questions must be submitted via email to: Jackie Tenuta, Director of Strategy and Development at jtenuta@travelmanitoba.com.

• Proposals must be received by November 8, 2019, 4:00pm CST

• Please submit your proposal to: