Tourism Opportunities

The Bear Train's exceptional wilderness heritage rail corridor appeals to trending tourism markets: Indigenous, cultural, Franco-Ontarian, accessible, eco/green and winter tourism.

Indigenous Tourism

The passenger train would be re-branded as the Mask-wa-Oo-ta-ban (Bear Train) and with the rail consist painted in images created by local Indigenous artists will make the train a huge draw, particularly for international tourists looking for authentic Indigenous destinations and products which reflect First Nations culture.

Cultural Tourism

The Bear Train passenger train service is essential for Group of Seven tourism development. Ontario has re-branded its tourism using the Group of Seven legacy. The Group of Seven painters traveled by train into the Canadian wilderness and their art displayed those landscapes. The rail corridor offers many possibilities for the development of other cultural tourism events.


Franco-Ontarian Tourism

This rail corridor serves Hearst (95% Francophone) and Dubreuilville (100% Francophone). Both municipalities have already developed Francophone experiences and products designed to attract tourists. The Bear Train would be a perfect vehicle to bring people to tourism destinations such as Hearst which will receive recently announced federal government funding.

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Accessible Tourism

Ensuring that transportation is inclusive and accessible to all would enable older adults to travel more often. Research shows they spend more money on trips than other age groups. It is a missed opportunity not to have an accessible rail service available. Without passenger rail service, many remote wilderness outdoor experiences are inaccessible to older adults.


Eco/Green Tourism

Tourists wishing to travel with a lighter carbon footprint are attracted to "train-in" destinations. This rail corridor has over 400 km. of these types of destinations. Eco-green tourists don't want to have to reach these areas by float plane, which is more polluting.


Winter Tourism

The Bear Train would be able to accommodate skiers traveling to Searchmont Ski Resort from Sault Ste. Marie The Snow Train, which had high ridership, could be re-established out of Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst and local hoteliers could reap the benefits. Become a part of bringing back this vital tourism asset NOW so that tourism potential along this rail line can be realized.

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