Leisure Studies Commons^™

A Cross-Cultural Comparison Of Weekend–Trips In Religious Tourism: Insights From Two Cultures, Two Countries (India And Italy), Kiran A. Shinde, Katia Rizello

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This paper explains peculiarities, significance, and universality of weekend-trips as significant form of religious tourism using a comparative analysis of this phenomenon in two pilgrimage sites from two different cultures (and countries), namely, Vrindavan in India and the Shrine of Santimissi Medici in Italy. The findings derived from a case-study approach and visitors’ survey method confirm that religious tourism falls under the more general category of leisure and that visitors who flock to these places on weekends do not coincide either with general models proposed in the extant literature, nor can they be assimilated to the conventional categories of pilgrims …

The Economic Review Of The Travel Industry In Montana: 2014 Biennial Edition, Kara Grau, Jake Jorgenson, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This review provides current and historical data of nonresident travel and tourism in Montana, and offers the industry's economic contributions to the state.

Preliminary 2014 Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditures And Economic Contribution, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report shows the 2014 preliminary economic contributions, expenditures, and average daily spending of nonresident visitors to Montana.

Use Of Psychological Skills By Risk Sport Athletes, Patrick R. Young, Erin L. Knight

Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments

Psychological skills can help athletes maximize their physical skills (Smith, Schutz, Smoll, & Ptacek, 1995) and overcome sport-related adversity. These skills may be especially beneficial to athletes performing within natural and unstable risk sport environments. The current study assessed psychological skills among risk sport athletes (N = 232) and the impact of experience on the use of such skills. Risk sport athletes of varying degrees of experience completed a modified version of the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory (ACSI; Smith et al., 1995). Risk sport athletes exceeded the midpoint on all of the ACSI subscales, indicating psychological skills usage. Experienced …

Restoration Of Bison (Bison Bison) To Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, A Feasibility Study, Daniel S. Licht

United States National Park Service: Publications

Executive Summary

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is a 3,057-acre park located in western Nebraska. The unit is comprised of northern mixed-grass prairie vegetation, typical of the Northern Great Plains. Weather, fire, and grazing are generally considered to be the ecological drivers of prairie ecosystems and critical for prairie health. However, grazing has essentially been absent since the 1960s. In 2014, a Department of the Interior report explicitly listed the park as a high priority for bison restoration. This report evaluates the feasibility, management options, benefits, and challenges of restoring bison to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.

A potential bison …

Montana Dragon Boat Festival: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Montana Dragon Boat Festival with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the event area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Montana Dragon Boat Festival.

An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the event area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 An Ri Ra Montana Irish Festival.

Water Quality Monitoring Protocol For Wadeable Streams And Rivers In The Northern Great Plains Network, Narrative Version 1.0, Marcia H. Wilson, Barbara L. Rowe, Robert A. Gitzen, Stephen K. Wilson, Kara J. Paintner-Green

United States National Park Service: Publications

Executive Summary

Preserving the national parks unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations is a fundamental purpose of the National Park Service (NPS). To address growing concerns regarding the overall physical, chemical, and biological elements and processes of park ecosystems, the NPS implemented science-based management through “Vital Signs” monitoring in 270 national parks (NPS 2007). The Northern Great Plains Network (NGPN) is among the 32 National Park Service Networks participating in this monitoring effort. The NGPN will develop protocols over the next several years to determine the overall health or condition of resources within 13 parks located in Nebraska, North …

Water Quality Monitoring Protocol For Wadeable Streams And Rivers In The Northern Great Plains Network, Standard Operating Procedures Version 1.0, Marcia H. Wilson, Stephen K. Wilson

United States National Park Service: Publications

Executive Summary

The Water Quality Monitoring Protocol includes two parts: a Narrative and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The Water Quality Monitoring Protocol Narrative Version 1.0 describes a general overview of the status of water resources throughout the parks in the National Park Service’s Northern Great Plains Network (NGPN), the objectives, the field methods, and the sampling design selected for this long-term monitoring program. This report includes the detailed SOPs for the NGPN’s Water Quality Monitoring Protocol. All water quality monitoring is conducted by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) through Interagency Agreements. The USGS North Dakota Water Science Center …

Mountain Madness Airshow: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Mountain Madness Airshow with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the event area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Mountain Madness Airshow.

Comparison Of Mt Visitor's And Mt Resident's Use Of Downtowns, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

An on line survey found that only 5 o f 47 downtown questions were significantly different between MT residents and visitors.

Evel Knievel Days: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Evel Knievel Days with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent in Butte during the event. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Evel Knievel Days.

Visitor Support For Yellowstone National Park, Jacob Jorgenson, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study is to assess the level of park support visitors have towards Yellowstone National Park. Because of budgetary cuts for public lands in the U.S., new methods and techniques are being explored to support management goals. Methods consisted of an online survey sent to four visitor groups: Yellowstone Association members, Yellowstone Park Foundation contributors and Facebook friends, Xanterra Parks and Resorts email listings, and the ITRR Panel. Results indicate a moderate level of support among all users, with joint members of the Yellowstone Association and Yellowstone Park Foundation showing the strongest support. Cognitive and behavioral influences …

Montana Folk Festival: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Montana Folk Festival with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in Butte during the event. The population of interest was attendees of the 2014 Montana Folk Festival and the sample was random from that population. Surveys were given to festival goers by random selection so as to attempt to represent the whole population.

Accessibility Of Tourism Websites: Attitudes And Behaviors, Filza Armadita

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

While developed countries continue to shape an industry that has somehow become an integral part of the society, it only seems fair that the industry should provide equal access for every member of the society, recouping members of the market that is excluded without notice. The basic tier of service in the web interface is to provide information, before any booking systems and online purchasing (Siegel, 1997). In the travel industry, this basic tier is achieved in many different travel businesses, but consistently in destination marketing websites that solely promotes a tourism destination through delivering information about the specific location. …

Sanders County Yard Sale: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Sanders County Yard Sale with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Sanders County Yard Sale.

Economic Contribution Of Nonresident Travel Spending In Montana Travel Regions And Counties: 2012-2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

Money spent by those traveling to and through Montana has an effect not only on the businesses where spending occurs, but it ripples throughout the state’s economy, as well. Statewide, spending by nonresidents (averaged over two years) totaled $3.47 billion. This report details the methods and results of the economic impact analyses for each of Montana’s travel regions, as well as analyses for counties in which nonresident travelers spent approximately $50 million or more.

Montana State High School Rodeo Finals: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the High School Rodeo Finals with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Montana State High School Rodeo Finals.

Travel Preferences Of Recreational Motorcyclists’, Melissa Weddell

Journal of Tourism Insights

The Blue Ridge Parkway, located in the mountain region of North Carolina, attracts over 20 million visitors each year with an estimated 500,000 touring on motorcycles, who often consider the region the best motorcycle venue in the United States. While many studies have examined both recreation preferences and a wide array of recreation activities in the Blue Ridge Mountain area, empirical research is lacking on motorcycle recreationists’ preferences and economic impacts. Therefore, this research project aims to understand these aspects of the recreational experience within a specific travel group. A total of 189 people completed the online survey administered to …

Emerging Opportunities For Commercial Recreation, Joshua Carroll Ph.D.

Journal of Tourism Insights

The commercial recreation industry faces new opportunities due to the changing economic climate and its impact upon public recreation providers (Outdoor Industry Association, 2012). Those recreation opportunities historically offered by public entities are transforming and as a result recreationists are experiencing more park closures, limited hours of operation, a reduction in quality, and ultimately dissatisfaction (Crompton, 1999; Koeberer, 2011). There is a shift occurring and this opens up a wide market for new commercial recreation operators to fulfill this gap. For trail-based recreation this usually requires a sizable piece of land that often precludes most potential market interests. However, with …

Buses For Byways: Concept Plan, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

Buses for Byways (B4B) is a conceptual idea designed to help people of all ages and abilities gain access to recreation sites along the Top 10 Scenic Drives in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana as well as segments of eastern Oregon and Washington. Survey data on the demand for transportation showed that 82% of the regional residents and 66% of nonresidents have experienced a need for some sort of public transportation to/from a recreation access point in their lifetime. On the supply side, 1/3 of business owners in the region indicated a willingness to take other people (not their customers) to …

Missoula Urban Forest Interest Study 2014, Norma P. Nickerson

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This study was conducted for the Urban Forest Division of the Missoula Parks and Recreation Department for use and guidance in the Urban Forest Master Plan. Results show that Missoulians are profoundly supportive of public trees. Residents agree that their utilitarian purposes (e.g. shade, helping decrease pollution) are of value to the community. The aesthetic purposes tend to make their neighborhoods more enjoyable and Missoula a nicer place to live. Public trees provide a quality of life that Missoula residents appreciate. The majority of Missoula residents are willing to support the removal of hazardous trees, pruning, planting, and basic maintenance …

2013 Nonresident Visitation, Expenditures & Economic Impact Estimates: Estimates By Full Year, Quarters, Trip Purposes & International Visitors, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

A collection of 2013 full year and quarterly estimates of nonresident visitation, expenditures by nonresident travelers, and economic impact estimates, including expenditures by purpose of trip and international visitors.

Lazy Days Of Summer: Time To Relax And Contemplate, Mark Routhier

UCF Forum

It’s summertime! The solstice just went by and as the days now become shorter, summer has officially begun. It’s a time to relax and reboot. It’s a time to find some water to splash around in. And it’s a time for contemplation...

Connecting Children And Families To Nature, Dina Izenstark, Aaron Ebata

Faculty Publications

Although more municipal recreation agencies and schools have begun to develop and implement natural playscapes in their communities, there is little empirical evidence on the direct impact of this feature and how it has the potential to benefit children over traditional playgrounds. Researchers at the University of Illinois in the Department of Human and Community Development conducted a study to evaluate the Champaign County Forest Preserve’s new Homer Lake Natural Playscape between August and December 2012 using a mixed-methods research design. This entailed an onsite questionnaire (n=152) and one-on-one interviews (n=15) with parents and grandparents, as well as participant observations …

Spartan Race Visitor Study: 2014, Brian Battaglia, Megan Schultz

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

The purpose of this study was to provide the organizers of the Spartan Race with an understanding of their attendees and the total money spent by those surveyed in the area. The population of interest was participants and attendees of the 2014 Spartan Race.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditures And Economic Contribution: 2012, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report shows the economic contributions, expenditures, and average daily spending of nonresident visitors to Montana during 2012.

"Can’T Touch This": Empowering Children With Severe Food Allergy In The Residential Camp Setting 2014, Alexsandra Dubin

Master's Theses

The purpose of this project was to create an empowerment program for children with severe food allergy (SFA) in a residential camp setting. Despite recent advancements in research, there is no cure for SFA, thus there is a need for programs to help children manage their allergies and cope with the ramifications of their condition. Quality of life is a major concern for children with SFA, as the constant fear of exposure to an allergen can lead to high levels of anxiety. This is particularly noteworthy because, barring exposure to an allergen, these children are otherwise healthy and symptom free. …

Family-Friendly Las Vegas: An Analysis Of Time And Space, Diana Tracy Cohen

Occasional Papers

This paper explores the rise and fall of the “family-friendly” Las Vegas marketing era. Through analysis of casino advertisements, internal and external building infrastructure, and qualitative in-depth interviews with industry insiders, this work investigates the city’s reinvention of the early 1990s. Key factors that set the stage for the emergence of targeted family marketing are identified, addressing why this advertising approach ultimately did not sustain. Unique marketing case studies are identified throughout.

Montana Nonresident Traveler Expenditures And Economic Contribution: 2013, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

This report shows the economic contributions, expenditures, and average daily spending of nonresident visitors to Montana during 2013.