When most people hear the term “water trails,” they might think kayaks, canoes and paddle boards. But the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails, and its designation as part of the National Water Trails system, means much more.

According to local officials and business owners, having that designation and being part of the Washington Water Trails Association means tourism dollars and a boost to the local economy.

Patricia Graf-Hoke, executive director of Visit Kitsap Peninsula, the region’s official tourism development agency, said it means national and international attention and the opportunity to attract more outdoor recreation visitors.

In May 2014, U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell approved Kitsap County’s application to have the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails added to the National Water Trails System. Since then, the Water Trails has been featured in national press release announcements, National Park publications and mostly in local, regional newspapers. In the past few months, media exposure has included a feature article in the May edition of Alaska-Horizon Airlines’ inflight magazine, Beyond, with a readership of 600,000; and in the June issue of Scuba-H2O, an international magazine which considers the Puget Sound and Hood Canal region a popular destination for deep-water diving, Graf-Hoke said.

“The national designation of the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails has already generated significant new media exposure for the region and is a big boost for our reputation as a major destination for outdoor recreation activities.

“While much of the focus of the Water Trails tends to be on paddling, it includes other water-related activities including sailing, stand-up paddle boards, Tribal canoes, outriggers, boating and fishing.”

Kitsap already is a popular destination for cycling, mountain biking and marathons, Graf-Hoke said. The national designation of Kitsap’s Water Trails provides another opportunity to build on the brand, the Natural Side of Puget Sound, that Visit Kitsap Peninsula has been promoting since 2009.

Graf-Hoke was one of 16 industry leaders appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to a Blue Ribbon Task Force for Parks & Outdoor Recreation. The task force was charged with looking at the economic impact of outdoor recreation and short- and long-term funding strategies. To help identify the economic benefits of outdoor recreation, waterways and parks, Washington State hired Earth Economics to conduct a study and prepare a report, which was released in February.

Key findings in the report showed that recreation associated with “public waters” generates the highest tourism-related revenue — $21.6 billion is spent every year in Washington state on outdoor recreation.Washington residents average 27 visits per year to local parks, making local parks the most visited land type for outdoor recreation.

The Earth Economics report ranked Kitsap fourth in the state in employment, with 6,700 jobs attributed to outdoor recreation, and sixth with $700 million in sales and expenditures related to outdoor recreation activities and visitors.

The Visit Kitsap Peninsula board decided in 2009 to make Kitsap’s natural environment and outdoor recreation assets a primary focus of its branding, marketing and tourism strategy. Since it didn’t have the advantage of mega hotels, sport complexes or large conference centers, the board decide instead  to take advantage of the region’s close proximity to Seattle/Tacoma and the Eastside (Bellevue) metro area and target urban employees and dwellers.

“The Earth Economic’s study and the national water designation definitely validates the VKP’s decision to target outdoor recreation visitors,” said Graf-Hoke. “It’s a logical way to help diversity in the economy and help hoteliers increase sales among leisure travelers which have more disposable income and can pay higher room rates versus government travelers which are capped at a lower per-diem rate.”

It’s a strategy that appears to be reaping positive results for local government and hotels, she said. According to recent Smith Travel Reports, lodging revenues for Kitsap County are up more than 15 percent over the last year and in some cases up 23 percent month to month. Sales in Kitsap County are up nearly $900,000 in the first six month.

Additionally, the water trails is being enjoyed by more than boaters. It’s spawned improvements to docks and marinas along its route that are also used by day hikers and those who fish. It has also  increased the number of folks who enjoy other water sports such as scuba diving and underwater photography.

Among those who are seeing a greater interest in Kitsap County waterways, partly due to the water trails, is Kathy Garcia, manager of the Bremerton Marina.“

At both Bremerton and Port Orchard (marinas), we’re seeing a lot of interest in the water trails,” said Garcia. “People have been coming in more frequently and asking about kayak storage. More and more people are trying to get to the water via trails.”

Garcia said the marinas are no longer just a place to put motorboats in the water. “We’re trying to incorporate it (the water trails) into what we do,” she said. “We’re working on more storage facilities for kayaks and we’re promoting the water trails at the boat shows we go to.”

Additionally, the re-opening of the Harper Pier, also a property of the Port of Bremerton, and the addition of a float that allows kayakers to tie up their kayaks, was influenced by the water trails. Harper Pier also serves as a recreational facility for fishing and diving. “With the re-opening of Harper Pier, the connection to the water trails is great,” Garcia said. “People can tie up their boats and take a walk along the beach.”

It’s a place where divers can go underwater and where local fishing is known to be good, she added. And there are restrooms nearby, which makes it a convenient stop.

Jerry Rowland, manager at the Port of Brownsville, is a fan of the water trails, too.“I think it’s going to bring more people to Kitsap County,” he said. “Instead of this being the place they travel through to get to somewhere else, they’re stopping and enjoying the view of our countryside from the water.”

While the Brownsville dock is small and doesn’t have a lot of amenities, he said he’s seeing more people use it as a place to launch their kayaks or stop off for a rest while kayaking.

“I’m excited about it,” he said. “It’s great that it is happening.”

Another small town that has been helped by the water trails is Tracyton. Last summer, the Port of Tracyton did work to its dock and added a rest area for kayakers. There are picnicking areas nearby and a small grocery store and a pub.

According to Port Commissioner Ted Hilliard, the port decided to make improvements because commissioners were excited to be on the water trails. “It puts us back on the map,” he said.

Poulsbo is also expecting to see a benefit from the water trails.

“It can’t be anything but good if it helps promote the water and use of the water,” said Brad Miller, director of the Port of Poulsbo.

Although the Port of Poulsbo is a destination port for motorized watercraft and sailboats, Miller hopes it will attract kayakers and those who paddle.

“If those visitors shop and eat and stay in Poulsbo, that definitely will have a positive impact,” he said.