Andrew Lepp

TOURIST ROLES, PERCEIVED RISK AND INTERNATIONAL TOURISM

Abstract International tourists can be classified according to the degree of novelty and familiarity sought. This study investigated the hypothesis that tourists seeking familiarity would perceive higher levels of risk associated with international tourism than those seeking novelty. A random sample of US-born young adults was surveyed. Seven risk factors were identified: health, political instability, terrorism, strange food, cultural barriers, a nation’s political and religious dogma, and crime. Three-way ANOVAs revealed that women perceived a greater degree of risk regarding health and food. More experienced tourists downplayed the threat of terrorism. However, tourist role was the most significant variable, with familiarity seekers being the most risk adverse.

The relationship between cell phone use, physical and sedentary activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness in a sample of U.S. college students

BackgroundToday’s cell phones increase opportunities for activities traditionally defined as sedentary behaviors (e.g., surfing the internet, playing video games). People who participate in large amounts of sedentary behaviors, relative to those who do not, tend to be less physically active, less physically fit, and at greater risk for health problems. However, cell phone use does not have to be a sedentary behavior as these devices are portable. It can occur while standing or during mild-to-moderate intensity physical activity. Thus, the relationship between cell phone use, physical and sedentary activity, and physical fitness is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate these relationships among a sample of healthy college students.MethodsParticipants were first interviewed about their physical activity behavior and cell phone use. Then body composition was assessed and the validated self-efficacy survey for exercise behaviors completed. This was followed by a progressive exercise test on a treadmill to exhaustion. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) during exercise was used to measure cardiorespiratory fitness. Hierarchical regression was used to assess the relationship between cell phone use and cardiorespiratory fitness after controlling for sex, self-efficacy, and percent body fat. Interview data was transcribed, coded, and Chi-square analysis was used to compare the responses of low and high frequency cell phone users.ResultsCell phone use was significantly (p = 0.047) and negatively (β = −0.25) related to cardio respiratory fitness independent of sex, self-efficacy, and percent fat which were also significant predictors (p < 0.05). Interview data offered several possible explanations for this relationship. First, high frequency users were more likely than low frequency users to report forgoing opportunities for physical activity in order to use their cell phones for sedentary behaviors. Second, low frequency users were more likely to report being connected to active peer groups through their cell phones and to cite this as a motivation for physical activity. Third, high levels of cell phone use indicated a broader pattern of sedentary behaviors apart from cell phone use, such as watching television.ConclusionCell phone use, like traditional sedentary behaviors, may disrupt physical activity and reduce cardiorespiratory fitness.

The Relationship Between Cell Phone Use and Academic Performance in a Sample of U.S. College Students

The cell phone is ever-present on college campuses and is frequently used in settings where learning occurs. This study assessed the relationship between cell phone use and actual college grade point average (GPA) after controlling for known predictors. As such, 536 undergraduate students from 82 self-reported majors at a large, public university were sampled. A hierarchical regression (R2 = .449) demonstrated that cell phone use was significantly (p < .001) and negatively (β = −.164) related to actual college GPA after controlling for demographic variables, self-efficacy for self-regulated learning, self-efficacy for academic achievement, and actual high school GPA, which were all significant predictors (p < .05). Thus, after controlling for other established predictors, increased cell phone use was associated with decreased academic performance. Although more research is needed to identify the underlying mechanisms, findings suggest a need to sensitize students and educators about the potential academic risks associated with high-frequency cell phone use.

Leisure and obligation: an investigation of volunteer tourists' experience at Kenya's Taita Discovery Center.

Abstract This research used qualitative methods to examine the relationship between leisure and obligation among volunteer tourists on holiday at Kenyas Taita Discovery Center (TDC). At TDC, volunteer tourists spend their days participating in either a wildlife conservation program or a community development program. These programs are largely dependent on volunteer support. As a result, each volunteer interviewed described feeling a strong sense of obligation. Nevertheless, volunteers described their experience as leisure rather than work. Analysis revealed six characteristics of obligation which, in this case, made it agreeable to leisure. These characteristics are illustrated with quotes from the data and a brief discussion that follows.

Tourism and World Cup Football amidst Perceptions of Risk: The Case of South Africa

Africa is generally perceived by those living outside the continent as a risky destination for tourism. Many factors influence this perception, some real and some imagined. South Africa is the continents leading international tourism destination and to maintain this industry it must manage perceptions of travel-related risk which can negatively influence destination choice. Towards this end, South Africa has pursued and hosted a variety of sporting mega events including the Rugby and Cricket World Cups and the 2010 FIFA World Cup with the aim of “reimaging through sport”. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the FIFA World Cup on the perception of risk associated with travel to South Africa, knowledge of South Africa, perceived level of development, interest in traveling to South Africa, and related travel motivations and constraints. A repeated measures design was used whereby a paired sample of US college students was surveyed before and after the FIFA World Cup. The post-test also measured level of involvement with the World Cup as fans. Results suggest the World Cup did influence perceptions of South Africa. The discussion furthers our understanding of tourism development and promotion in areas of the world perceived as risky.

Reimaging a nation: South Africa and the 2010 FIFA World Cup

A nations image is an important component of a successful tourism policy and since 1994 South Africa (SA) has embarked on a strategy of hosting major sport events to achieve various national goals, including projecting images of the ‘new SA’. This study investigated the role media coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup played in changing images associated with SA among a sample of US college students. Seventy-nine students participated in a one group pre-test post-test experiment. Two months before the World Cup, images of SA were found to be associated with sport, racial issues, parks and wildlife, Third World, and Nelson Mandela. Perceived risk (crime, disease, instability, etc.) as part of these images was moderately low. Six weeks after the World Cup, the significance of sport to SAs image had increased, images of Nelson Mandela, parks and wildlife, and Third World were stable, and racial images had decreased. Perceptions of SA as modern also increased. The number of matches watched had no effect on these images. Sport-related media (television and Internet coverage of the World Cup) was the most common sources of SAs post FIFA image. The results suggest that SAs strategy to reimage through sport appears to be working for these participants. The findings show that media coverage of major sport events may be quite influential and should be managed to achieve desired outcomes.

The impact of cell phone use on the intensity and liking of a bout of treadmill exercise.

This study used a within-subjects design to assess the effect of three common cellular telephone (cell phone) functions (texting, talking, listening to music) on planned exercise. Forty-four young adults (n = 33 females, 21.8 ± 1.3 years) each participated in four, separate, 30-minute exercise conditions on a treadmill in a random order. During each condition, the treadmill speed display was covered and grade was fixed at zero. However, participants were able to alter treadmill speed as desired. Throughout the texting and talking conditions, research personnel used a pre-determined script to simulate cell phone conversations. During the music condition, participants used their cell phone to listen to music of their choice. Finally, participants completed a control condition with no cell phone access. For each condition, average treadmill speed, heart rate and liking (via visual analog scale) were assessed. Treadmill speed (3.4 ± 1.3 miles∙hour-1), heart rate (122.3 ± 24.3 beats∙min-1) and liking (7.5 ± 1.5 cm) in the music condition were significantly (p ≤ 0.014) greater than all other conditions. Treadmill speed in the control condition (3.1 ± 1.2 miles∙hour-1) was significantly (p = 0.04) greater than both texting and talking (2.8 ± 1.1 miles∙hour-1 each). Heart rate during the control condition (115.4 ± 22.8 beats∙min-1) was significantly (p = 0.04) greater than texting (109.9 ± 16.4 beats∙min-1) but not talking (112.6 ± 16.1 beats∙min-1). Finally, liking during the talking condition (5.4 ± 2.2 cm) was greater (p = 0.05) than the control (4.3 ± 2.2 cm) but not the texting (5.1 ± 2.2 cm) conditions. In conclusion, using a cell phone for listening to music can increase the intensity (speed and heart rate) and liking of a bout of treadmill exercise. However, other common cell phone uses (texting and talking) can interfere with treadmill exercise and reduce intensity.

Mobile phone use among college students is a sedentary leisure behavior which may interfere with exercise

Research suggests that cell phone use is related to sedentary behavior, that cell phone use during exercise reduces intensity, and that high frequency cell phone users are less fit than other users. Thus, cell phone use appears connected to health and fitness behaviors and should be better understood within this context. The present study investigated the sedentary nature of cell phone use, and examined the likelihood of cellphone use interfering with exercise behavior. DesignA validated survey was administered to a random sample of students from a public US university (N?=?226). ResultsMean self-reported cell phone use was 380?min day-1, 87% reported cell phone use primarily occurs while sitting, and 70% of use was for leisure. Cell phone use was positively related to sedentary behavior (β?=?0.30, p?<?0.001). It was not related to physical activity. However, the likelihood of cell phone use during moderate (p?=?0.006) and mild (p?<?0.001) intensity exercise increased as cell phone use increased. ConclusionLike other screens (e.g., TVs), cell phone use appears to be a sedentary leisure behavior. Furthermore, high frequency use increases the likelihood that it will occur during exercise, likely lowering exercise intensity.

College Students’ Mobile Telephone Use Is Positively Associated With Sedentary Behavior:

While mobile phones (henceforth cell phones) provide nearly constant access to activities (eg, watching videos, playing games) traditionally associated with sedentary behavior, the relationship between cell phone use, sedentary behavior, and physical activity is untested. The purpose of this study was to assess these relationships. A sample of college students (N = 236) completed surveys assessing daily cell phone use, sedentary behavior (sitting time) and physical activity. Regression demonstrated that cell use was positively associated (β = 0.23, P = .05) with sedentary behavior and not related (β = −0.02, P = .90) to physical activity. Tertile splits were performed for average daily cell phone use and participants were grouped as high (n = 81), moderate (n = 77) or low (n = 78) cell users. High users (495.1 ± 227.6 min/d) participated in significantly (P ≤ .03) more sedentary behavior than the moderate (417.1 ± 208.3 min/day) and low (395.2 ± 180.0 min/d) users. Sedentary behavior was not different (P = .5) between the moderate and low users. In conclusion, cell use was associated with college students’ sedentary behavior but not physical activity. High users allocated 18.7% and 25.3% more time to daily sitting than moderate and low users, respectively.

Golf, Tourism and the 2010 Ryder Cup: (De)constructing Images of Wales

The Ryder Cup is the premier team competition in the sport of golf. Contested on a biennial basis between the best players from the USA and Europe, it is now one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Wales hosted the competition for the first time in 2010 when the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport staged the event. The 2010 Ryder Cup provided an important opportunity for Wales to promote and position itself in the international sporting arena and to develop its profile as a tourist destination. Through reference to various promotional and policy documentation, this research looks at just how the country was portrayed in the lead up to the event and what this means for golf, tourism and the (re)presentation of Wales. The work addresses the role of image in the marketing of Wales as a tourist destination and considers some of the problems stakeholders face in developing a distinct and identifiable product.