Margaret J. Daniels

Estimating the Economic Impacts of Seven Regular Sport Tourism Events

Published studies regarding sport tourism economic impacts tend to estimate the effects of one sport event, offering little opportunity to compare diverse events that cater to different audiences. The purpose of this study was to estimate and compare the economic impacts of visitor expenditures at seven regular, participant-based sport tourism events. All chosen events took place, at least in part, in the state of South Carolina, USA. Primary data collection of expenditure profiles was used in conjunction with input–output analysis to determine economic impact estimates. The results of this study present trends regarding sport tourism event attendance, expenditure rankings and the need for complementary activities that can be of use to sport tourism event planners and government officials interested in maximizing the effectiveness of sport initiatives.

Motivations of equestrian tourists: an analysis of the Colonial Cup Races.

Abstract While the motivations of visitors to mainstream professional sporting events have been well documented, comparatively little is known about equestrian tourists. The purpose of this study was to assess the fan motivations, sport identification and expenditures of tourists attending an annual steeplechase. The event chosen for this study was the 31st Annual Colonial Cup Races, held in South Carolina, USA. Wann and Branscombes (1990) team identification and Wanns (1995) sport fan motivation scales were adapted for use in this study. Responses from 222 equestrian tourists were used to answer four research questions. Regardless of respondent sex, equestrian tourists were most likely to be motivated by entertainment and group affiliation needs and least likely to be motivated by escape and self-esteem needs. However, comparisons based on identification level (low, medium, high) resulted in significant differences in four of the seven motivations and on-site expenditures. Further, there was a significant positive relationship between identification level and six of the seven motives tested as well as on-site expenditures. Sport identification may prove to offer useful insight into motivations and expenditures within an equestrian context. Marketing efforts for equestrian events can be adapted to promote identification and reflect the motivations that are descriptive of this tourism niche.

Always on my mind: recall of daily travel occurrences.

Abstract While the act of leisure travel does not happen on a daily basis, travel-related occurrences typically do. The purpose of this study was to document consumer recall of daily travel occurrences and examine the relationship between recall and leisure travel involvement, travel frequency and timing of past and future travel. Further, similarities between types of recalled travel occurrences and deliberately sought travel information were assessed. The responses of 335 travel consumers indicated support for hypothesized relationships between daily occurrence recall and travel involvement, frequency and recency. Travel occurrences are a consistent part of consumers daily lives and operate as an important bridge between past and future travel.

Feminist implications of anti-leisure in dystopian fiction.

This essay provides a feminist perspective on dystopian anti-leisure. Dystopias are futuristic anti-utopias where leisure is distorted and individuals are manipulated to further the agenda of the politically powerful (Rabkin, 1983). The purpose of this essay is to illustrate how women in dystopian societies are subjected to anti-leisure as evidenced by the devaluation of their personal leisure spaces. A feminist definition of leisure is used to guide a poststructuralist feminist analysis of four dystopian novels: Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale, Aldous Huxleys Brave New World, Kurt Vonneguts Player Piano and George Orwells 1984. Synopsis and discussion are then employed to demonstrate how two binary oppositions of female disempowerment are evidenced in the novels and to consider how these same forces operate in reality to jeopardize womens personal leisure spaces.

Resident Non-Visitation to a National Museum Site: The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

ABSTRACT Resident non-participation is a major contemporary issue for the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Udvar-Hazy Center), a recently opened companion facility to the Smithsonian Institutions National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall. The current study investigates the motivations and characteristics of local non-visitors. Residents from three surrounding counties comprised the study population and, as part of the larger study, responded to statements pertaining to reasons for non-visitation to the Udvar-Hazy Center, derived and modified for a museum context from the leisure constraints literature. Analysis of non-visitors, about one-half of the sample, resulted in the identification of relatively homogenous minimally-constrained, awareness-constrained, time-constrained, and access-constrained clusters. Managerial implications of these findings are considered.

Wedding professionals use of social media

Despite the popularity of social media marketing, academic research specific to how event management companies use social networking to market their businesses is limited. Wedding professionals are a subsegment of event managers, and their use ofo social media is hindered by the nature of their business models, as most have few employees and negligible marketing budgets. The purpose of this study was to gain insight to the use of social media outlets by wedding professional and put forth suggestions for maximizing the social media mix for samll event management companies. Thirty-two wedding professionals completed a questionnaire specific to social media and networking activities, most successful marketing outlets, and barriers to utilizing social media. The findings and associated recommendations emphasize the critical nature of word-of-mouth and electronic word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients, as wedding professionals rely on a customer base that is rarely prone to repeat business.

Heritage tourism within a capital city: symbolism and dissonance

Tourists visiting the National Mall and Memorial Parks, an urban park located in the capital of the US, Washington, DC, are predominantly engaged with monuments, memorials, museums, and other historic sites. Current challenges facing this heritage destination are linked to significant deferred maintenance that has negatively impacted the visual appeal of popular sites, facilities, and green-space. Using a mixed-methods approach framed within symbolic interactionism and cognitive dissonance, researchers examined the meanings visitors attributed to the destination, comparing national and international tourists. National tourists were more likely to indicate that the visit evoked strong emotional responses ranging from pride to embarrassment, consistently noting that maintenance shortcomings reflected poorly on their country as a whole. The findings inform destination management in capital cities.

Hostelling as a pathway to cross-cultural understanding

Investigation regarding the specific contribution to global understanding made by tourism has been limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the experiential links between hostel stays and cross-cultural awareness. Sixty semistructured interviews were conducted with tourists staying at five hostels located in the northeastern US. Respondents represented fourteen different resident countries and offered feedback regarding trip patterns, perceptions about hostel lodging, connections with other cultures, and demographic items. Qualitative analyses resulted in four themes: the structure of the hostelling space, challenging preconceived notions, personal growth, and world perspective. Hostels were found to provide unique environmental conditions that promote equality and facilitate cross-cultural understanding.

Beyond body: Buying and selling attitude and fantasy

Abstract The acceptance‐rejection dynamic associated with strip clubs creates a conundrum as to whether these establishments are purveyors of deviant leisure. Strip club imagery is used to market clothes, music and movies while, simultaneously, strip clubs face regulations that zone them to specific areas and dictate the amount of nudity allowed. The purpose of this study was to use ethnographic methods to shed light on specific components of the strip club setting and perceptions of buyers and sellers. The meanings derived from open coding of ethnographic fieldnotes and interview data suggested four integrative themes: (1) manipulation of external and internal spaces; (2) participation impetus for buyers and sellers; (3) role expectation and removal; and (4) relationship development and connectedness. The aura of deviance that pervades the strip club experience was found to negate the chic imagery suggested by the mass media.

Bridging risk management perceptions and processes: the case of the National Mall and Memorial Parks

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze two studies pertaining to the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington DC, to gain a better understanding of risk management perceptions and processes as applied to urban cores that consistently host tourists and special events.Design/methodology/approach – The first study is a qualitative analysis of open‐ended commentary that addresses issues pertaining to safety and security to garner an overarching sense of risk management perceptions that National Mall visitors have when considering these parklands. The second study involves participant observation, quantitative documentation and analysis of specific risk management processes utilized during the 2007 National Independence Day Celebration.Findings – The findings of the first study suggest that personal safety is viewed as paramount and that visitors are not overly worried about the threat of terrorist activity, as illustrated by the strong feelings of displeasure towards access obstructions and b...