A market basket indicator of tourism was developed for the replication studies.  From the Chamber's directory, the Chamber selected 19 tourism firms as a market basket selection of those that have business with Canadian individuals, Canadian-owned businesses, International border businesses and Public Sector border-related agencies. For this replication one business is no longer in business and was replaced by a similar business. The selected tourism firms include: marinas, restaurants, lodging (motels and campgrounds), recreational attractions (boat tours and museums), and golf courses.  A mail survey was sent by YWA to these firms.  We asked these companies to report their 1998 sales to Canadian individuals and families and the companies on the lists.  

Reported business in this sector declined 65% from 1996 to 1998. The 7 firms that participated in both 1996 and 1998 reported a 48% decline in business with Canadian individuals and families, Canadian-owned businesses, International border businesses, and Public border- agencies from 1996.

 Methodological Notes:

     For this replication, seven businesses reported their 1998 sales data. The seven 1996 respondents who chose to participate in 1998 represented 68% of the total tourism market basket sales in 1996.

We propose that this survey of the same companies be performed annually.  The relevance of this indicator is not in the volume of sales at any point in time but rather with the trend in sales for these same companies over time.

 Recommendations for Replication:

 The Chamber should personally contact each market basket firm and secure an agreement to participate in future replications.  Companies were willing to share detailed information, but very few returned their responses promptly. Tourism related businesses are especially busy during the summer season, thus businesses should be contacted as early in the survey process as possible to attain a timely response.  Replication should be straightforward.

Marinas

A study on marinas completed by Holmes & Associates for the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce in September of 1995 estimated marina gross sales at $5-7 million in 1993 with 70-99% of those sales to Canadian customers.  Based on the results of the marina study, Canadian sales in 1995 were estimated at $4.5 million or 75% of $6 million.

 For the 1998 replication study, marinas were sent a mail survey by YWA which explicitly asked their estimated sales to Canadian individuals and families, Canadian-owned businesses in Clinton County, International border businesses, and Public border-related agencies.   Five out of 11 marinas surveyed or 45% responded.

Estimated Annual Gross Sales by Clinton County Marinas to Canadian Customers in Calendar Year 1995,1996  and 1998

The figure of $3,3,417,442 is an extrapolation based on responses from the four marinas that participated in both the 1996 and 1998 replications. The four respondents reported estimated annual gross sales of $820,186 to Canadian customers.  These respondents accounted for 24% of the slips and moorings available in 1995 at all Lake Champlain marinas in Clinton County, according to the Holmes & Associates study.  We assume that the dependency on Canadian customers is equally shared across all marinas.  Therefore, $3,417,442 is equal to $820,186 divided by 24%. This figure indicates annual sales by Clinton County marinas to Canadian customers declined 7% from 1996 to 1998. The four firms that participated in both the 1996 and 1998 replications reported an 11% increase in sales to Canadian customers. These four firms represent 53% of 1996 sales and 96% of 1998 reported sales. The experience of these firms suggests that the estimate of total 1998 marina gross sales to Canadian customers may be an underestimate.

 We propose that this survey of the same marinas be performed annually.  The relevance of this indicator is not in the volume of sales at any point in time but rather with the trend in sales for these same marinas overtime.  The Chamber should make an effort to secure the agreement to participate of all of the marinas for future replications. 

Recommendations for Replication: 

   Most marinas were willing to share detailed information with the caveat that only the aggregation of all the surveyed marinas' sales were reported; however few returned responses promptly.  Replication should be straightforward.