Treesearch

This paper reports the results of a study designed to measure the economic impact of snowmobiling in Maine during the 1995-96 season. Two surveys were conducted to provide the necessary data. First was a survey of Maine residents and non-residents who registered their snowmobiles in Maine during the 1995-96 season. Second was a survey of New Hampshire resident snowmobilers, since they have reciprocity in Maine. The total economic impact of $225,973,240 and 2,700 full-time equivalent jobs was determined using an input-output model of the Maine economy. The impacts of each sector are...

This paper compares estimates of pleasure trip volume and expenditures derived from a regional telephone survey to those derived from the TravelScope mail panel survey. Significantly different estimates emerged, suggesting that survey-based estimates of pleasure trip volume and expenditures, at least in the case of the two surveys examined, appear to be affected by methods of data collection. This in turn suggests that caution should be exercised in using such estimates to make important decisions in the tourism industry.

The framework of sense of place, developed by humanistic geographers, has been employed by researchers in their efforts to explain the range of attachments, values, and meanings assigned to natural areas. This study used an exploratory approach to address the range of values and meanings assigned by local residents to places in Acadia National Park. Qualitative interviews were used as a scoping instrument to identify characteristic places and place values in Acadia National Park. Interview findings informed a mail-back questionnaire administered to a representative sample of local residents...

While previous research suggests that place attachment and activity involvement impact visitor perceptions, it has not examined the simultaneous effects of these affective constructs. This study develops a typology of both place attachment and activity involvement. It examines variations between attachment-involvement levels and visitor evaluations of quality. Results indicate that evaluations do vary significantly across the typology with the more attached/more involved visitors evaluating the setting and experience more positively. Such evidence suggests that future research utilize and...

The purpose of this study was to examine the image international students at Penn State have of rural travel destinations in the state of Pennsylvania. In addition, this study investigated whether destination image differed depending upon travel behavior and socio-demographic variables. Four distinct image dimensions, "tourism infrastructure," "atmosphere," "natural amenity," and "farm life" were uncovered. Overall image scores on the image dimensions differed with respect to one travel behavior variable, future travel intention, and four socio-demographic variables: household status,...

The purpose of this study was to segment Michigan travelers into short, medium and long distance traveler groups by distance that they traveled from home to a primary destination in Michigan, and to compare travel behavior, trip characteristics and sociodemographics among these segments. Significant differences were identified in past trip experiences in Michigan, current trip purpose, side trip behavior, length of stay, travel party size and types of lodging used at destinations. Results of the study suggest that travel distance is a viable variable for travel market segmentation.

Little evidence exists to support the proposition that travel experiences may affect tourists' motivations. This study found that there was a significant difference in travel motivation between tourists who had an experience visiting other routes similar to the route they currently visited and tourists who did not have this experience; "interest in the site" represented the largest difference in the reason for visiting.

In order to be sustainable, tourism development must involve the local population, proceed only with their approval, and provide a degree of local control. The most promising approach involves development which is low impact, small in scale and careful in progress, appropriate and sensitive to the local natural and socio-cultural environment, and readily integrated into the existing social and economic life of the community. This study examines two case studies of county-wide rural tourism development, one in west-central Illinois and the other in southeastern Iowa. With local involvement,...

Proponents of Alternative Tourism overwhelmingly believe that alternative forms of tourism development need to be small in scale. Inasmuch as tourists' demand has great power to shape the market, the issues surrounding the tourism development scale deserve further consideration. This paper discusses the implications and effects of the tourism development scale on natural resources and the environment from the perspective of externalities, strategic business behaviors, energy and resource efficiency, and the pollution detecting and monitoring abilities of environmental administrators. It...

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between movie viewing and mood, and to test the Pleasure Arousal Dominance (PAD) mood theory in a theater setting. The results of this exploratory study are presented here, challenging the PAD model, and providing suggestions for future research regarding the leisure and mood relationship.