1. Ontario Golf Tourism Statistics 2015
Fall 2017

2. This report summarizes key characteristics of visitors and visitor spending of trips in Ontario which included the activity of Golf. Data was sourced from Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey, Some slides include an index table which simplifies the comparison of Golf and total trip statistics. Since total trips equals 100, an index of 105 indicates Golf is 5% higher than total, similarly an index of 90 signifies Golf is 10% lower than total. Index Interpretation less than 80 Golf trips underdeveloped versus total trips Golf trips similar to total trips greater than 120 Golf trips overdeveloped versus total trips 2

3. Visits and Spending
Region
Visits
(millions)
Visitor Spending
($ billions)
Ontario Total
141.9
25.4
Ontario Golf
1.8
0.5
Ontario Golf proportion of Ontario Total
1.3%
2.0%
In 2015, there were 1.8 million Golf visits in Ontario, representing 1.3% of total visits in Ontario
Golf visitors in spent $508 million, accounting for 2.0% of total visitor spending in Ontario
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

4. Golf and Total Visits by Origin
Golf vs. Total
Visit Index
Ontario
107
U.S. 36
Other Canada
100
Overseas 50
Ontario residents accounted for the majority of Golf (92%) and total (86%) visits
U.S. visitors accounted for 3% of Golf visits compared to 8% of total visits
Visitors from Other Canada comprised 5% of Golf visits and 5% of total visits
Overseas visitors accounted for 1% of Golf visits and 2% of total visits
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

5. Golf and Total Spending by Origin
Golf vs. Total
Spending Index
Ontario
139
U.S. 50
Other Canada
102
Overseas 32
Ontario residents accounted for the majority of Golf (77%) and total (55%) spending
U.S. visitors accounted for 7% of Golf spending compared to 14% of total spending
Visitors from Other Canada comprised 9% of Golf spending and 9% of total spending
Overseas visitors accounted for 7% of Golf spending and 22% of total spending
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

6. Ontario Golf Visitors by Region of Residence
Golf vs. Total
Visits from Ontario Index
Reg 1
116
Reg 2 31
Reg 3 91
Reg 4 68
Reg 5
122
Reg 6
120
Reg 7
103
Reg 8
Reg 9 98
Reg 10
187
Reg 11 23
Reg 12 5
Reg 13 57
27% Golf visitors from Ontario are from Region 5 compared to 22% of total visits, 16% from Region 6 (14% total visits), and 13% from Region 1 (12% total visits)
Note: Ontario origin Golf visitors represented 92% (1.7 M) of visits and 77% ($389 M) of visitor spending
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 6

7. Other Canada Golf Visitors by Province of ResidenceBC
15%
(7%)
Golf visits
(Total visits) AB
17%
(7%) SK 5%
(2%) MB
18%
(10%) QC
38%
(66%)
NL/NB/NS/PE 6%
(8%)
38% of Other Canada Golf visitors came from Quebec with 17% from Montreal, (total visits Quebec 66%, Montreal 43%)
Note: Other Canada Golf visitors represented 5% (84,000) of visits and 9% ($47 M) of visitor spending
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 7

8. U.S. Golf Visitors by Region of Residence
Golf visits
(Total visits)
Mountain 7%
(2%)
West North Central
13%
(5%)
East North Central
37%
(39%)
New England 5%
(4%)
Mid Atlantic
11%
(36%)
Pacific, Alaska, Hawaii
10%
(3%)
South Atlantic
17%
(8%)
South Central 0%
(3%)
37% of U.S. Golf visitors came from East North Central states (Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin) and 11% from Mid Atlantic states
Note: U.S. Golf visitors represented 3% (53,000) of visits and 7% ($36 M) of visitor spending
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 8

9. Overseas Golf Visitors by Country of Residence
Ontario’s 9 overseas target markets represent 68% of overseas Golf visitors versus 54% of total overseas visits
Note: Overseas Golf visitors represented 1% (17,000) of visits and 7% ($35 M) of visitor spending
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 9

10. Destination – Golf Visits by Region
Golf vs. Total
Destination Index
Reg 1
102
Reg 2 68
Reg 3 47
Reg 4
Reg 5 21
Reg 6 78
Reg 7
160
Reg 8
220
Reg 9 96
Reg 10 44
Reg 11
545
Reg 12
231
Reg 13 70
21% of Golf visits took place in Region 11 compared to 4% of total visits, 14% in Region 7 (9% total), and 11% in Region 1 (11% total)
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 10

11. Golf Visits by Length of Stay
Golf vs. Total
Length of Stay Index
Same-day 65
Overnight
161
Avg # nights
129
The majority (59%) of Golf visits were overnight visits. For comparison, 36% of total visits in Ontario were overnight visits
The average number of nights spent on Golf visits was 4.1, above Ontario’s average of 3.2 nights
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

12. Golf $/Trip by Length of Stay
Golf vs. Total
$/Trip Index
Total
154
Same-day
117
Overnight
116
Golf visitors spent an average of $276/trip ($179/trip for total trips)
On average, overnight visitors spent over four times as much per trip as same-day visitors
Total trip spending, not just spending on Golf
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

13. Golf Spending by Category
Golf vs. Ontario
Spending Index
Transportation 67
Accommodation 95
Food & Beverage
121
Rec./Entertain.
245
Retail/Other
The largest proportions of expenditures were spent on Food & Beverage (33% Golf, 27% total) and Transportation (24% Golf, 36% total)
Golf visitors spent a larger proportion on recreation, 19%, than total visitors, 8%
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

14. Other Activities done by Golf Visitors
Activity
Golf Visit Participation
Index vs Total
Any Outdoor/Sports Activity
100%
582
Golfing
7719
Visit a beach
24%
541
Boating
23%
566
Canoeing
18%
816
Hiking
16%
355
Fishing
15%
438
Festivals/Fairs
11%
392
Wildlife/Bird watching
10%
442
Cycling 9%
748
Activity
Golf Visit Participation
Index vs Total
National/Provincial Nature Parks 8%
280
Visit Friends or Relatives 7% 22
Camping 6%
194
Historic Sites
176
Restaurant or bar 87
Sightseeing 5% 78
Sports Events 4%
106
Shopping 48
Museums/Art Galleries
141
Play a sport
180
Activity
Golf Visit Participation
Index vs Total
Cultural Performances 3% 86
Theme Parks
225
Zoos/Aquariums/Botanical Gardens 2%
160
Casinos 90
Movies
208
Hunting
392
Indigenous
980
Business Meeting/Conference/Seminar 1% 24
Skiing/Snowboarding
113
Medical/Dental appointment 56
24% of Golf visitors visited a beach, 23% went boating, 18% went canoeing, and 16% went hiking
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

15. Main Purpose of Golf Visit
Golf vs. Total
Purpose Index
Pleasure
195
VFR 60
Business 17
Other 23
VFR: Visiting Friends and / or Relatives
Most trips were pleasure trips (69% compared to 35% of total trips)
Other includes shopping, medical, religious, hobby/trade show, etc.
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

16. Golf Visits by Accommodation Type
Golf vs. Total
Type Index
Private
110
Commercial
101
Campground 98
The majority (67%) of overnight Golf visits were spent at unpaid accommodations such as private homes and cottages, compared to 61% of total visits
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

17. Golf Visits by Time of Year
Golf vs. Total
Quarter Index
Jan-Mar 9
Apr-Jun 99
Jul-Sept
217
Oct-Dec 24
The largest proportion of trips occur in the summer months with 67% of Golf trips taking place in Jul-Sep versus 31% of total trips
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 17

18. Golf Visits by Gender
Golf vs. Total
Gender Index
Male
126
Female 70
Males made the majority (68%) of Golf visits. For comparison, 54% of total visits in Ontario were among male visitors
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

19. Golf Visits by Party Size
Golf vs. Total
Party Size Index
1 person 52
2 persons
101
3+ persons
176
Avg party size
128
With children 67
Avg Party Size
With children % %
42% of Golf visits were among groups of 3 or more people compared to 24% of total visits
8% of Golf visits included children versus 12% of total visits
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada and International Travel Survey 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 19

20. Domestic Golf Visitor’s Income
Golf vs. Total
Income Index
< $50 K 62
$50 K- $75 K 38
$75 K - $100 K 76
$100 K+
166
60% of Canadian Golf visitors in Ontario had an household income greater than $100,000 compared to 36% of total visitors
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

21. Domestic Golf Visitor’s Education
Golf vs. Ontario
Education Index
< High School 70
High School 65
Some post-secondary 77
University degree
157
51% of Canadian Golf visitors in Ontario had a university degree compared with 32% of total visits
Source: Statistics Canada’s Travel Survey of the Residents of Canada 2015; Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

22. Golf Summary
In 2015, there were 1.8 million Golf visits, accounting for 1.3% of total visits to Ontario. Golf visitors spent $508 million, or 2.0% of total visitor spending in Ontario.
Ontario residents accounted for 92% of visits and 77% of spending, residents of Other Canada accounted for 5% of visits and 9% of spending, U.S. visitors represented 3% of visits and 7% of expenditures, and overseas visitors accounted for 1% of visits and 7% of spending
27% Golf visitors from Ontario are from Region 5 compared to 22% of total visits, 16% from Region 6 (14% total visits), and 13% from Region 1 (12% total visits)
21% of Golf visits took place in Region 11 compared to 4% of total visits, 14% in Region 7 (9% total), and 11% in Region 1 (11% total)

23. Golf Summary
The majority (59%) of Golf visits were overnight visits. For comparison, 36% of total visits in Ontario were overnight visits. The average number of nights spent on Golf visits was 4,1, above Ontario’s average of 3.2 nights
Golf visitors spent an average of $276/trip ($179/trip for total trips). On average, overnight visitors spent over four times as much per trip as same-day visitors
The largest proportions of expenditures were spent on Food & Beverage (33% Golf, 27% total) and Transportation (24% Golf, 36% total). Golf visitors spent a larger proportion on recreation, 19%, than total visitors, 8%
24% of Golf visitors visited a beach, 23% went boating, 18% went canoeing, and 16% went hiking
Most trips were pleasure trips (69% compared to 35% of total trips)

24. Golf Summary
The majority (67%) of overnight Golf visits were spent at unpaid accommodations such as private homes and cottages, compared to 61% of total visits
The largest proportion of trips occur in the summer months with 67% of Golf trips taking place in Jul-Sep versus 31% of total trips
42% of Golf visits were among groups of 3 or more people compared to 24% of total visits. 8% of Golf visits included children versus 12% of total visits
60% of Canadian Golf visitors in Ontario had an household income greater than $100,000 compared to 36% of total visitors
51% of Canadian Golf visitors in Ontario had a university degree compared with 32% of total visits