How Much Do You Spend When Touring?

[tourunigo]

I am attempting to put some realistic numbers around the economic value of encouraging motorcycle travel as a good Tourism strategy. My reason is to further promote motorcycle travel in this province as well as find funding to support the development of 'motorcycle friendly' initiatives ie accommodations, food, travel info, services. Nova Scotia is a destination which requires some significant travel time to not only arrive here but to also travel the hundreds of miles of winding secondary roads which will provide the very best travel experience for visitors. So here's my preliminary question:

Let's say that you arrive for a ten day tour around Nova Scotia. Maybe you camp, maybe motel, ride two-up, pull a trailer, cook your own food (bought here) or use diners exclusively, however you travel it is all useful information. For that ten days, what do you estimate you will spend while here? Items such as fuel, food, adult beverages, gifts, clothing, museum passes, etc. What would your particular costing (ie contribution to the local economy) be?

Some local cost numbers:

Gas: $4.00 /gal (tax included)
Oil and any other maintenance stuff: similar to home
Beer: $22.00 for twelve (tax included)
Food: Somewhat average in cost but tax is added
Motel: $85-110 (low end average) + tax
Camping: $20-30 + Tax
Clothing, gifts, passes, etc: similar to home in most cases +tax
Tax: 13%
Ferry (if you choose) $200-ish plus tax (not a NS company but cost worth noting)

Maybe these costings would prevent you from coming here for too long or maybe it really doesn't matter to you. I would like to get enough information to formulate a profile of the average motorcyclist and the expected value of encouraging them to travel here.

If you know of any research done regarding this sort of data then please add this as well. Thanks very much for any contribution that you can offer. -Bob

[SheRidesABeemer]

During our 35 day cross country trip in 2007, Lisa and I burned about $200/day.
That's gas, food & lodging, entertainment etc. I use that number now for general travel budget planning.

[19991100RT]

Hi Bob and Mary
Well over the years touring my own personal expences seem to be about $ 90.00 a day. Gas, food, campsite and souveniers. A Ten day run away from home would cost me in the area of $ 700.00 as every third day I enjoy the comforts of a warm, dry hotel room to help me through those cold rainy days.

[rmarkr]

OK Bob , I'll try.
Everyone has a different expense threshold, so it seems you'll need a fairly wide sample to get any meaningful data.

Based on a typical ride through the Appalachians for a week, mostly camping, cooking evening meal, shared expenses (with my son), a few restuarant meals, a (free) night at my sister's, this is what I come up with.

Bike prep, gear before depart $ 250 (may not count - depends on tires etc)

Fuel for a day (300miles) 7 gals $ 20 - 25 $160
Camping fee $15 $ 90
Food supper, breakfast $25 $150
Food, lunch, pit stops $25 $175
Restuarant meals (2) $50 $100
1 motel night $100
Gifts $200
Tolls, park fees $ 50

Total $150 a day ($1500 for 10 days)
A recent trip to Central America cost about $5K for 35 days ($140 a day) - no camping, only cheap hotels.

[Motorradfahrer]

I agree with sheridesabeemer about $100-200 per day is the norm and sometimes depending on whether I camp or motel 2-up. I rode the entire Canadian Maritimes and am so entralled with the wonderful cheery Nova Scotians that I don't scrimp too much being there. The locals totally deserve it! I of course try to economize a bit when I had a very expensive day before yesterday. I will always return to Nova Scotia, Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland and am glad that I made an impact in helping improve their economy.

[tommcgee]

It's usually under $100 for me, occasionally gusting to $200. My 9 day trip to Nova Scotia in 2007 cost me $800. Six days around the Gaspé last fall was under $500.

I don't stop to buy anything except gas and usually one restaurant meal a day. Lodging is a 50-50 mix of camping and motels. I spend a lot more money when I travel by car, and it's not just because of the gas price diff. When I'm on the bike, I don't want to stop.

Oh, wait....are you counting speeding tickets too?

[GlobalRider]

All I can say Bob, is that in 2003, my Eastern Canada tour ran me far more per day than it ran me to tour so-called expensive Europe which even included airfare. That is an apples to apples comparison. Go figure!

I remember Laurie's Motel in Cheticamp wanting $119 a night. Cripes, I want a room for the night...I didn't want to buy the place.

[Paul_F]

Hi Bob.

When I tour (alone), I budget $100 a day. Usually I come in around $90ish. However, sometimes when I can not find either a campsite or a reasonably priced motel, costs can run closer to $150.00. I tend to eat only two meals a day on the road, as well as fruit that I buy for my first breakfast and snacking throughout the day.

This summer my wife says that she is coming with me to Halifax. There will be no camping and I'll anticipate $200+ days.

[tourunigo]

I agree with sheridesabeemer about $100-200 per day is the norm and sometimes depending on whether I camp or motel 2-up. I rode the entire Canadian Maritimes and am so entralled with the wonderful cheery Nova Scotians that I don't scrimp too much being there. The locals totally deserve it! I of course try to economize a bit when I had a very expensive day before yesterday. I will always return to Nova Scotia, Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland and am glad that I made an impact in helping improve their economy.

Thanks for that observation about our part of the world and the average expenditures. This is the most historic part of Canada and the part that can take you through some very blustery early days of rum runners, privateers, extraordinary statesmen, multi cultural strife and joy, points of pride and shame...... dang, we got it all! -Bob

[tourunigo]

All I can say Bob, is that in 2003, my Eastern Canada tour ran me far more per day than it ran me to tour so-called expensive Europe which even included airfare. That is an apples to apples comparison. Go figure!

I remember Laurie's Motel in Cheticamp wanting $119 a night. Cripes, I want a room for the night...I didn't want to buy the place.


Ouch! Can't say that it has improved though. -Bob

[tourunigo]

It's usually under $100 for me, occasionally gusting to $200. My 9 day trip to Nova Scotia in 2007 cost me $800. Six days around the Gaspé last fall was under $500.

I don't stop to buy anything except gas and usually one restaurant meal a day. Lodging is a 50-50 mix of camping and motels. I spend a lot more money when I travel by car, and it's not just because of the gas price diff. When I'm on the bike, I don't want to stop.

Oh, wait....are you counting speeding tickets too?

I know we're expensive Tom but ain't we just worth it though? When you come up to the Salty Fog (now dated for the first week of September due to some other rally and holiday adjustments that I just figured out!) we will be sure that a wee dram will await Alumni. Thanks for your input and see you then we hope. -Bob

[tourunigo]

Hi Bob and Mary
Well over the years touring my own personal expences seem to be about $ 90.00 a day. Gas, food, campsite and souveniers. A Ten day run away from home would cost me in the area of $ 700.00 as every third day I enjoy the comforts of a warm, dry hotel room to help me through those cold rainy days.

I like that third day formula. It's beginning to look like a general rule for costing is about $1,000 for ten days with highs and lows (ie accomodations) factored in. -Bob

[tommcgee]

I know we're expensive Tom but ain't we just worth it though? When you come up to the Salty Fog (now dated for the first week of September due to some other rally and holiday adjustments that I just figured out!) we will be sure that a wee dram will await Alumni. Thanks for your input and see you then we hope. -Bob

Well yuh, it's worth it! :buds I look forward to the September trip, but I know I'll be in the maritimes several times this summer. It's got something to do with those Acadian girls. :kiss

[tourunigo]

Well yuh, it's worth it! :buds I look forward to the September trip, but I know I'll be in the maritimes several times this summer. It's got something to do with those Acadian girls. :kiss

Damn boy!, just wait until I tell Mary that one ahheeeeee. BTW, anytime you are up in the Big City please call and come on by. Acadian girls? You might like to be up in Larry's River in early August for the Acadian Festivities..... dance?... your feet will never be the same! Waylon Thibodeaux from Nahlins is coming up again. -Bob

[GlobalRider]

Ouch! Can't say that it has improved though. -Bob

Yeah, ouch is right. I won't even get into the cost of dinner at that motel.

Which is why I'm heading over to Europe again for just over 5 weeks...better value, even with the exchange rate.

Oh, I'll be back east again sometime in the future, but at these prices, I'm in no rush. The next time I'll try to overnight in B&Bs (like I did in Newfoundland & Labrador), provided they're under $50 a night.

[tourunigo]

OK Bob , I'll try.
Everyone has a different expense threshold, so it seems you'll need a fairly wide sample to get any meaningful data.

Based on a typical ride through the Appalachians for a week, mostly camping, cooking evening meal, shared expenses (with my son), a few restuarant meals, a (free) night at my sister's, this is what I come up with.

Bike prep, gear before depart $ 250 (may not count - depends on tires etc)

Fuel for a day (300miles) 7 gals $ 20 - 25 $160
Camping fee $15 $ 90
Food supper, breakfast $25 $150
Food, lunch, pit stops $25 $175
Restuarant meals (2) $50 $100
1 motel night $100
Gifts $200
Tolls, park fees $ 50

Total $150 a day ($1500 for 10 days)
A recent trip to Central America cost about $5K for 35 days ($140 a day) - no camping, only cheap hotels.

Our recent six week tour of the U.S. and parts of Canada cost us just slightly more than you Central America tour. We found really good value for the dollar in our trip. Some of the deals we found cannot happen here unfortunately. Value for your investment will be central to travel choices in the next two years. Hope that we can compete. -Bob

[tourunigo]

Yeah, ouch is right. I won't even get into the cost of dinner at that motel.

Which is why I'm heading over to Europe again for just over 5 weeks...better value, even with the exchange rate.

Oh, I'll be back east again sometime in the future, but at these prices, I'm in no rush. The next time I'll try to overnight in B&Bs (like I did in Newfoundland & Labrador), provided they're under $50 a night.

that actually responds to a question that I posted yesterday regarding the costs of a B&B although I doubt that $50 per night may be a bit low considering the associated costs now for such facilities. -Bob

[Vagabird]

When my wife and I rode for 90 days in '01, it cost roughly $200/day, including tires and periodic dealer service on the bike, replenishing toiletries, etc. We stayed in motels - some cheap, mostly average, none expensive. Our meals ranged from decent restaurants to gas station food, and included beer and wine. I would expect that a lone person could travel a little more cheaply. But then there's inflation...

[tourunigo]

When my wife and I rode for 90 days in '01, it cost roughly $200/day, including tires and periodic dealer service on the bike, replenishing toiletries, etc. We stayed in motels - some cheap, mostly average, none expensive. Our meals ranged from decent restaurants to gas station food, and included beer and wine. I would expect that a lone person could travel a little more cheaply. But then there's inflation...

that too seems like our estimate. We figure $170 per day when use motels. Funny how many campgrounds cost the same as some campgrounds. -Bob

[GlobalRider]

that actually responds to a question that I posted yesterday regarding the costs of a B&B although I doubt that $50 per night may be a bit low considering the associated costs now for such facilities. -Bob

Well North American B&Bs would have a tough time trying to justify their costs considering how much cheaper operating costs are here compared to other places.

B&Bs started out as an economical means of spending the night while travelling, but in North America, they've turned B&Bs into some type of luxurious experience. I've seen B&B listings for $250 a night. What the ___ are they smoking!!!

Anyways, thanks to my Excel spreadsheets, here were my accomodations costs for my Eastern Canada tour in 2003...

Quebec: $74.77, $69.00, $65.56,
New Brunswick: $69.00,
Nova Scotia: $119.03, $63.25
(all older '60s style motels aka holes as far as I'm concerned and compared to what I'm used to)

Newfoundland & Labrador: $73.60 (Hotel Stephenville), $40.00, $51.75, $50.00, $50.00.
(all B&Bs except where noted)

[GlobalRider]

Bob, the Motorcycle Tour Guide Nova Scotia (http://www.motorcycletourguidens.com) is a handy resource for anyone riding Nova Scotia.

As you probably already know, it is divided into areas of Nova Scotia with a directory at the end of each section listing Accomodations, Activities & Attractions, etc.

Unfortunately, like the CAA and AAA tour books, the most affordable accomodations aren't usually listed; I find cheaper accomodations (if you can call them that) on the fly. I'm assuming all accomodations listed in the tour guide are paid advertizing.

Very few B&Bs are even listed and when they are, they're right up there...for example, the one I came across was $110-$169 with a minimum 2 nights stay. That is not what a B&B is supposed to be about...not in most people's books.

Here is a handy and very complete B&B site, but make sure you're sitting down when checking out some of the prices. BB Canada (http://www.bbcanada.com)

[OUTBACKUFO]

Last summer... COlorado to Goose Bay, Lab. i rode for a total of 20 days out on the road with a two day lay over visitng my father. WIth gas averaging at US4.30 gal and staying in 7 nights in hotels...

hotels total $550

in the end i spent about $1800 -1900 for the trip.

I did spend a lot nights at camping, friends or family until getting into Canada.

If it had been my wife and me then another 750 for hotels then. I try and keep it under $100 per day at most being going into fuel and food

[jlaban]

Bob:
An out and back to Bozeman MT from western ME in '07 cost a little over $100/da. I traveled alone, stayed in relatively inexpensive motels {until I hit Sudbury (Montreal)} bought restaurant food. I'd have done it in under that but I had to spend a layover day in MN due to tornado warnings.

I'd love to come up for the Salty Dog. We'll see how the money holds.

John

[BradfordBenn]

It all depends; there are certain costs that are definitely to be included. Gas; tolls. However food and drink and lodging can be very widespread. Each person has different ideas of what is acceptable for their level of comfort.

For example I have stayed at $300/night hotels and $60/night hotels for work. I have felt safe and satisfied in the $60 hotel and felt unsafe in the $300 night hotels. In terms of food; a meal on the go of $11 can be great or a seated meal of $11 can be really bad.

Then comes the fun of frequent stayer discounts and the Anon Book for housing and meals. So it is really wide spread.

[Mongo]

Last fall I managed Less than 100.00 per day but I was traveling alone and really on the cheap. I agree that about $150.00 camping and 200.00/day for a bed would be more realistic.

[tourunigo]

Last fall I managed Less than 100.00 per day but I was traveling alone and really on the cheap. I agree that about $150.00 camping and 200.00/day for a bed would be more realistic.

I'm still itemizing costs from our trip this past summer for this discussion but, similar to your findings, it looks like $175 to $200 daysm, riding two up and seeking modest motels, to be very close. -Bob

[gsjay]

During our 35 day cross country trip in 2007, Lisa and I burned about $200/day.
That's gas, food & lodging, entertainment etc. I use that number now for general travel budget planning.

not to be just another Yep, I agree but yep, I agree. 2 up w/room has got to get into everybit of $150 or more.

we've noted the increase in cost over the past few years at some of the places we frequent on a regular basis, and prices have risen. What use to cost $59.99 a night is now $79.00 a night plus some local room tax on top of the sales tax! Pushes $90.00 a night when all said and done. I think some of the room taxes have gotten carried away and the poor economy may bring them down.

With the current state of things this might show some signs of reversing don't you think? I'm betting that rooms rates this summer will be down near their post 9-11 summer.

I've been looking at some travel in New England in the next year or two and I think their room rates are out of this world! (in most cases)

I don't know about you but all we're looking for in a room most times when we're traveling is a clean toilet, Shower & sheets. Cable is nice but we're not in the room but to freshen up & sleep. (passout)

just my thoughts.
jason