Michael A. Schuett

Determinants of sharing travel experiences in social media.

ABSTRACT The advent of Internet-based social media technologies has enabled travelers to quickly and conveniently share their travel experiences. Shared information on social media sites is recognized as an important information source which may influence travel decision making for potential travelers. This study tests a conceptual framework which examines why travelers share their travel experiences on social media based on the social influence theory and its three conceptual foundations—identification, internalization, and compliance. Data were collected using an online survey and the research model was tested with 543 respondents who were social media users. Results showed that identification and internalization are critical determinants that positively increase actual travel-experience sharing on social media as mediated by perceived enjoyment. Our research extends prior literature on social media by identifying specific determinants that can impact travel-experience sharing. Suggestions are provided for academics, the travel industry, and those working with social media.

Refining measures of adventure recreation involvement

Abstract The purpose of this study was to further our understanding of adventure recreation by expanding on the work of Ewert and Hollenhorst (1989). In this study, level of enduring involvement of Whitewater kayaking participants was the dependent variable, frequency of participation, skill level, experience, social orientation, environmental preference, psychological outcomes, perceived risk, locus of control, and sensation seeking were the independent variables. The level of enduring involvement was predicted by skill level, psychological outcomes, gender, frequency of participation, and perceived risk. This article relates development of measures and operationalization of variables. These findings have implications for developing future adventure recreation behavior models and for understanding the social and psychological aspects of Whitewater kayaking.

Exploring the Crowding–Satisfaction Relationship in Recreational Boating

Along with the growing boating population and the number of boats in use on limited inland waterways, boater expectations of setting density, safety perceptions, and the associated impacts on their experience (e.g., satisfaction) are becoming increasingly important. The primary purpose of this article was to explore a recreational boating crowding–satisfaction model derived from previous work using safety and enjoyment as mediating variables. We also tested our crowding–satisfaction model among day and overnight users. Our analysis revealed no significant difference between day and overnight users for any of the relationships tested in our model. Our final model indicated as respondents’ expectations for seeing people increased along with their feelings of being crowded, they were more inclined to consider the conditions on the lake as being unsafe. They were also more inclined to indicate that the number of people they had seen on the lake detracted from their boating experience. Respondents’ satisfaction was tied to their perceptions of crowding. Mediating variables illustrated that the relationship was conditioned by perceptions of safety and enjoyment. Analysis of the indirect effect observed in our study illustrate that when the number of people seen on the lake exceed respondents’ expectations, their perceptions of safety and enjoyment both decline, resulting in lower satisfaction. These findings have implications for managing recreational boating use on inland lake systems. Given the role played by expectations in our model, efforts to communicate with boaters about conditions on these waterways is important for helping them plan their boating experience and avoid situations they consider unsafe or unsatisfactory.

Exploring expenditure-based segmentation for rural tourism: overnight stay visitors versus excursionists to fee-fishing sites.

About three fourths of new small tourism businesses fail within the first few years of operation mainly due to poor identification and lack of knowledge of their markets. While understanding visitor spending pattern is critical for the market to be economically viable and successful, research on rural tourist spending behavior is lacking in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore a visitor segmentation approach based on rural visitor spending behavior. Multiple regression analysis suggested accommodation attribute as the most useful predictor for visitor spending. Two subgroups were developed using accommodation type as a segmentation criterion—overnight stay visitors versus short excursionist. Comparative analyses were done using socio‐demographic variables, trip behavior, recreational motivation, and activity preferences. Overnight stay visitors and short excursion group showed significant differences on several behavioral and motivation variables. Practical suggestions are provided for attracting tourists to rural tourism destinations.

Examining Marginalized Communities and Local Conservation Institutions: The Case of Nepal’s Annapurna Conservation Area

In developing countries, participatory conservation initiatives have been criticized for many reasons, mainly for excluding marginalized groups which have led to unequal benefits. Using concepts from the literature on participation, conservation, and political ecology, this research explored the participation of marginal groups, i.e., poor, women, lower caste, and landless, in management institutions in Nepal’s Annapurna Conservation Area. Field work for this research was conducted through the use of interviews and participant observation during August–October 2010. Results show that although marginal groups were involved in local management institutions, their representation was minimal and had not led to meaningful participation or empowerment to influence the decisions being made in conservation and development programs. Our study findings indicate that the involvement of marginal groups in local initiatives is complex and influenced by several factors. The study concludes that the Annapurna Conservation Area Project needs to re-orient its conservation projects by adopting a more inclusive form of participation and move beyond the quota system.

Examining the Relationship Between Motivation, Enduring Involvement and Volunteer Experience: The Case of Outdoor Recreation Voluntary Associations

Voluntary associations representing numerous types of recreation users and environmental issues have recently flourished. However, the literature has not sufficiently studied these associations and their members’ experiences. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of enduring involvement as mediator and moderator on the relationship between membership motivation and volunteer experience of outdoor recreation voluntary associations (ORVAs). Data were collected from an on-line survey of members of three ORVAs in Texas (n = 315). Six distinct dimensions of membership motivation and three dimensions of involvement were identified. Results indicated that enduring involvement fully mediated the relationship between membership motivation and volunteer experience. Members that are motivated to join ORVAs for social networking, civic engagement, and self-enhancement reasons had more volunteer experience through enhanced enduring involvement levels. The moderator effect of enduring involvement was also significant. The association between membership motivation and volunteer experience was stronger as involvement level increased.

Mode Effect and Response Rate Issues in Mixed-Mode Survey Research: Implications for Recreational Fisheries Management

AbstractWhile the social, economic, and ecological impact of recreational fisheries is well established, the inherent diversity of both fisheries resources and resource users, particularly anglers, continues to present a challenge for management agencies. To better understand the diversity of recreational anglers, agencies often utilize survey methods to collect data on angler characteristics and preferences. However, obtaining necessary and representative data is becoming more challenging, exacerbated by declining response rates and an increase in the number of single and mixed-mode survey designs researchers can choose to collect data. We examined three survey designs—surface mail with a Web push, e-mail, and mixed mode—each with varying modes of solicitation and response, in the context of a statewide survey of licensed Texas anglers. Our findings illustrated that response rates varied considerably among these three survey designs. We also observed significant variation in terms of anglers’ sociodemogr...

Examining the behavior, management preferences, and sociodemographics of artificial reef users in the Gulf of Mexico offshore from Texas.

AbstractThis study used a mixed-mode approach (mail and online) to survey licensed private boat owners (26 ft [8 m] and larger) from Texas on the use, choice and management of artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) offshore from Texas. Results showed that reef users (n = 569) had a mean age of 55 years, were mostly white males, and over half of the respondents reported household incomes exceeding US

Anglers' Motivations for Volunteering with Fishing or Conservation Organizations

160,000 annually. The highest percentage of boat owners took one to five trips to the GOM in the last 12 months, enjoyed going to standing rigs and oil production structures, and preferred reefs to be over 30 mi (48.3 km) from shore. Fishing and the presence of fish were important factors for visiting artificial reefs. Boat owners believed artificial reefs bring tourism to local economies, provide new areas in which to recreate, and do not degrade the environment. In managing the reefs, boat owners would like to see more artificial reefs in the GOM and be able to place their own structures offshore in sa...

Examining the role of voluntary associations in environmental management: the case of the Sam Houston National Forest.

ABSTRACTEach year many individuals volunteer their time with fishing or conservation organizations. Research has shown the importance of organizational volunteers in the effectiveness of environmental stewardship; however, the literature on motivations for environmental volunteering is limited. This study examined the motivations of licensed recreational anglers for volunteering with fishing or conservation organizations. Data were collected through the 2012 Texas statewide angler study (n = 1,888), which queries licensed recreational anglers. Results showed that 454 individuals are members of fishing or conservation organizations and of those members, 153 individuals responded that they volunteer. Anglers volunteered an average of 10 years and 33 hours annually. Motivations were analyzed using principal components analysis yielding three dimensions: “helping/learning about the environment,” “social,” and “policy.” Study results have implications for those who work with volunteers in targeting recruitment...