Chi-Ok Oh

Using Recreation Specialization to Understand Multi-Attribute Management PReferences

Recreation specialization group differences in support for multi-attribute management restrictions using a stated preference choice approach were tested. A fractional factorial design produced 80 choice sets of paired trip comparisons. A three dimensional recreation specialization model (i.e., behavior, skill and knowledge, and commitment) was used to segment groups. As expected, advanced anglers were less interested in relaxing the more restrictive harvest restrictions currently in place that produce the fishing quality they enjoyed. Casual anglers showed a strong preference for catching more fish by relaxing current harvest restrictions. Each specialization group showed a notably different pattern of preference.

Comparison of Place Bonding Models in Recreation Resource Management

Abstract Conceptual studies of place bonding have often stopped short of verifying the relationship of scales/models to other relevant recreation behavior variables. The current paper addresses this concern by comparing three models (full, parsimonious, and partial models) of place bonding and their scale measurement to a dependent variable, experience use history (EUH), for degree of predictive validity. Results reveal that the full and parsimonious place bonding models predicted more EUH variance than the partial model. Because the parsimonious models fit and psychometric properties were as good as the full model, the parsimonious model is recommended over the other models. The parsimonious scale provides researchers with a robust and nuanced measure of peoples attachment to place.

A Stated Preference Choice Approach to Understanding Angler Preferences for Management Options

This study investigated the choices anglers make between hypothetical fishing trips as defined by harvest regulations, fishing expectations, and trip costs and ranking the various management scenarios being considered. A fractional factorial design required generation of 80 choice sets. A conditional logit model was used to estimate the preference model. All estimated coefficients of attributes had expected signs except for the “retain more fish greater than the maximum size limit” variable. Anglers did not favor regulations allowing retention of more fish above the current bag limit. The status quo scenario (with most conservative harvest restrictions) was least preferred, as expected. The most liberal harvest restriction scenario was most preferred. When angler expectations were changed, anglers wanted more stringent management that closely resembled the status quo option. Anglers were willing to relax certain rules and seemed to be choosing conservation of fishery resources over exploitation. Funding support for this research by the Coastal Fisheries Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station was much appreciated. The authors thank the following individuals who provided important advice and review comments at various stages of the research: Oystein Aas (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research), Dan Fesenmaier (Temple University), Kirk Gillis (Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation), Robert Hearne (North Dakota State University), Richard Woodward (Texas A&M University), and the two anonymous reviewers of this article.

Evaluating Time-Series Models to Forecast the Demand for Tourism in Singapore Comparing Within-Sample And Postsample Results

The authors look at eight models to forecast inbound tourist arrivals to Singapore, six of which were analyzed by Chan and by Chu. The authors explore model performance from a different perspective than either of these authors and arrive at different conclusions. Major suggestions are as follows: (1) a complete comparison among competing models during the estimation phase and a battery of performance statistics when evaluating these models sheds light on several top-performing models; (2) when evaluating the forecasting performance of competing models, different performance statistics may lead to different model selections; (3) among competing models, a model that performs best during the within-sample period does not necessarily perform best in the postsample period; (4) changing the length of the forecast horizon can have an effect on the choice of the best model; and (5) a combined model may be the one that provides the best forecasting performance.

Managing Scuba Divers to Meet Ecological Goals for Coral Reef Conservation

Abstract Marine protected areas increasingly are challenged to maintain or increase tourism benefits while adequately protecting resources. Although carrying capacity strategies can be used to cope with use-related impacts, there is little understanding of divers themselves, their management preferences, and how preferences relate to conservation goals. By using a stated preference choice modeling approach, we investigated the choices divers make in selecting diving trips to marine protected areas as defined by use level, access, level of supervision, fees, conservation education, and diving expectations. Logit models showed that divers preferred a more restrictive management scenario over the status quo. Divers favored reductions in the level of site use and increased levels of conservation education. Divers did not favor fees to access protected areas, having less access to the resource, or extensive supervision. Finally, divers were much more willing to accept increasingly restrictive management scenarios when they could expect to see increased marine life.

The Economic Value of Scuba-Diving Use of Natural and Artificial Reef Habitats

Artificial reefs may attract and sustain fish populations, but whether they resemble natural reefs is open to conjecture. This article addresses the question of whether artificial reefs are functionally acceptable to scuba divers. Research objectives were (1) to identify the nonmarket value of recreational scuba diving in offshore marine waters and (2) to ascertain whether the willingness to pay for scuba diving varied between users of natural and artificial reef habitats. A random sample of 1,059 scuba divers was used to estimate consumers surplus associated with the diving experience. While natural and artificial habitats provide substantial economic value associated with diving, results indicate divers using natural reef habitats value their diving experience significantly more highly than those using artificial reef habitats. Also, substantial value from recreational diving use of artificial reefs suggests they serve as potential substitutes and thus may alleviate pressures on natural reef areas for conservation purposes.

Is Tourism a Low-Income Industry? Evidence from Three Coastal Regions

Tourism has been a popular development strategy based on its potential of economic impacts and job opportunities, but the quality of jobs created by tourism has received little empirical investigation. This article uses data from IMPLAN and the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics to examine the income distribution of jobs created by tourism and compares the income distribution from tourism expenditures to the income distribution in three different coastal regions with large tourism industries. To examine the distribution of income from tourism, an eight-step procedure was developed by modifying previous procedures for estimating income distribution. Study findings indicate that the jobs generated by tourism expenditures had a lower income distribution than the overall income distribution in the three regions, with the difference being most apparent in more urban areas. The various implications of the low-income distribution of the tourism industry are discussed.

The influence of extraversion on leisure constraints negotiation process: a case of Korean people with disabilities.

Abstract Diverse behavioral and psychological elements in the leisure constraints negotiation process are known to be closely associated with each other. Among several psychological factors, personality traits tend to be more stable over time and more influential on an individuals behavior. Nevertheless previous studies that investigated the constraints negotiation process have paid little attention to the influence of the personality traits. Further, people with disabilities likely perceive various leisure constraints differently, and adopt distinctive patterns of negotiation efforts. Thus, this paper employs the concept of extraversion as a personality trait for individuals with disabilities. Study results suggest that people with disabilities make use of different constraints negotiation mechanisms to decide on their leisure participation.

Effects of acculturation, leisure benefits, and leisure constraints on acculturative stress and self-esteem among Korean immigrants

Abstract In this study, we sought to assess the role that leisure benefits and constraints play in facilitating acculturation, allaying acculturative stress, and enhancing self-esteem among Korean-Americans. Data were collected from a sample of Koreans living primarily in large cities in the United States. Results provided partial support for the proposed theoretical model. As predicted, acculturation was negatively related to acculturative stress and positively related to self-esteem, and acculturative stress was negatively related to self-esteem. The leisure benefits construct was significantly and positively related to only self-esteem. Contrary to what we predicted, however, the leisure benefits construct was not significantly related to acculturation and was positively, rather than negatively, related to acculturative stress (although only at the 0.1 level of significance). Finally, the leisure constraints construct was significantly related to acculturative stress but not to the level of acculturation or self-esteem.

Predictive Linkages between Recreation Specialization and Place Attachment

Abstract The theory of recreation specialization indicates that as recreationists become more specialized into a recreation activity, they become more dependent on particular resources along a continuum of specialization. Previous empirical studies examining bivariate relationships have not provided a comprehensive understanding of the predictive linkages between recreation specialization and place attachment. This paper employed three sub-dimensions of recreation specialization to investigate the hypothesized connections to place attachment and examined the intermediate effects of experience preferences and consumptive orientation. Results provided empirical evidence that recreation specialization was associated with place attachment and other intervening variables also influenced the effects of recreation specialization on place attachment. Recreation specialization and the other accrued concepts when taken together provided substantial insights to predicting place attachment.