St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Sport Tourism Survey Yields Positive Results

St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Sport Tourism Survey Yields Positive Results, Project Moves Forward to Finalize Foundational Strategy

With the results in hand from the sport tourism survey recently completed by the public, the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Cimarron Global Solutions, is now in the final stages of strategy development for the county-wide Sport Tourism initiative. The recent survey, which sought to gather local insights on the county’s potential as a sport tourism destination, saw an enthusiastic response from exactly 100 participants—far exceeding initial expectations.

Analysis of the results is being used to further inform the foundational strategy being developed for the Chamber’s sport tourism initiative, which focuses on a growing sport tourism segment where travelers are drawn to destinations for sports events or activities. Sport tourism is poised to play a transformative role in St. Lawrence County, and the survey’s exceptional turnout highlights a strong community interest and engagement in developing the county’s sport-related offerings.

“We are so pleased with the level of enthusiasm and the thoughtful and detailed responses from within our communities,” said Tiffani Amo, Director of Tourism for the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. “It is clear that this is an initiative that is important to our residents, and we are excited to develop a foundational tourism strategy that will yield positive results for the region’s economic and recreational future in the years to come.”

The survey assessed aspects of sport tourism where the county may excel and also addressed potential challenges and shortcomings.

“We want this initiative to bring more visitors, but at its core, it will be designed to align with our residential needs,” Amo said. “It has to work for our residents if we want it to be sustainable.”
Responses to the survey revealed a high level of community engagement and support for local sporting venues, including schools and dedicated sports facilities, underscoring the region’s readiness to embrace and enhance its sport tourism potential. Respondents were enthusiastic about the diverse range of outdoor recreation opportunities, the county’s well-developed trail systems, and the region’s natural beauty. Participants also highlighted a connection between sports activities and the region’s cultural and natural heritage, which emerged as a significant theme, citing activities such as lacrosse and marathon canoe racing that not only engage visitors but also preserve and highlight the unique character of St. Lawrence County.

The survey also pointed out the need for improved infrastructure, including better-maintained trails and expanded road access for ATVs. The active involvement of local organizations in advocating for these improvements promises to enhance the county’s appeal as a sport tourism destination. Respondents expressed concerns about the environmental impact of certain activities and emphasized the need for sustainable practices to protect the region’s natural beauty.
“This level of public feedback has been invaluable, and the sport tourism strategy will be updated to reflect these community-driven insights before advancing to the next stages of the initiative,” Amo said. “While there are many insights that were indeed already aligned with our current working strategy, it’s still so important to hear directly from our communities to make sure we are truly moving in the right direction.” 

The sport tourism project is approximately 50% complete both in the project tasks and the timeline with the final deliverables slated for September 2025.

For more information about the Chamber’s sport tourism initiative, project updates and an informational video, please visit www.VisitSTLC.com/sport-tourism or contact Tif Amo at Tif@slcchamber.org or 315-386-4000.