A Do-It-Yourself Guide: Conducting and Using Visitor and Recreational User Research is a new, free, do-it-yourself resource to assist anyone (no economics degree required) through the economic impact process without hiring a consultant. The step-by-step guide is designed for small-to-mid-sized organizations, agencies and partnerships that manage trails, recreation areas or outdoor destinations. The economic impact report you create will provide key insights and help you build a compelling case for your project, secure funding, develop allies and garner broad public support.
A Do-It-Yourself Guide: Conducting and Using Visitor and Recreational User Research includes the following topics:
- Why and how to use studies and data
- What is visitor research and how it can help
- How to estimate visitors and analyze visitor data
- Use findings to estimate current or future economic contributions
- Understanding economic impact vs. economic significance
- How to put data findings into community context
- Communicating your findings to the community
- ... and more!
Conducting and Using Visitor and Recreational User Research can help you understand the economic value of your outdoor recreation infrastructure. Equipped with that information, you can help make the case for future investments in outdoor recreation projects.
This guide was developed in 2024 by The Harbinger Consultancy with assistance from the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation and through a pilot program of five teams across Wisconsin. The five reports are available to download.
Download the guide to get started.
For 30 years, The Harbinger Consultancy has worked as guides, partners and knowledge builders. Harbinger helps communities, regions and supporting organizations harness, protect and expand the power of their places. Harbinger expands its capacity through an extensive network of collaborators and engages local partners, researchers, photographers, videographers, social media pros, storytellers and other creative types for an even bigger local impact.
If you have any questions about conducting a DIY economic impact analysis, contact the Office.