William C. Norman

An Examination of the Determinants of Entertainment Vacationers’ Intentions to Revisit

This study investigated the relationship of entertainment travelers’ past vacation behavior, vacation satisfaction, perceived vacation value, and intentions to revisit and repurchase. Subjects were inquirers for the purchase of an entertainment package that visited the destination and were systematically selected over a 12-month period. Results suggest that past behavior, satisfaction, and perceived value are good predictors of entertainment vacationers’ intentions to revisit the destination. It was further found that the variables of past behavior, satisfaction, and perceived value are poor predictors of intentions to visit and attend live theater entertainment or book an entertainment package during a visit. Given the relationships between past behavior, satisfaction, perceived value, and intentions to revisit, results of the present study provide important theoretical implications and direction for entertainment destination management.

A Modified Involvement Scale

Abstract This investigation examines the psychometric properties of a modified involvement scale (MIS) using recreationists sampled at a national forest in upstate South Carolina and consumers enquiring about angling opportunities in the Low Country of South Carolina. Following the testing of several model configurations, support for a conceptualization of enduring involvement was observed consisting of five correlated facets: attraction, centrality, social bonding, identity expression and identity affirmation. This conceptualization was an extension of McIntyre’s measure. Notable departures from McIntyre’s conceptualization include the extraction of a social component previously embedded in the centrality facet and greater distinction in the leisure identification processes. This led to the construction of two identification facets. Testing using multiple criteria of validity and reliability illustrated that the MIS was a sound indicator of enduring leisure involvement.

Exploring the Theoretical Framework of Emotional Solidarity between Residents and Tourists

Residents and tourists within destinations are often portrayed as being separate from each other, possessing little in common. Such an approach can undermine the potential for a dynamic, intimate relationship to exist between residents and tourists. This research offers the theory of emotional solidarity, put forth by Emile Durkheim, as a theoretical framework to examine the relationship between residents and tourists. In addition, a series of focus groups with residents of a coastal South Carolina county was conducted to ascertain residents’ feelings about tourists and commonalities with tourists (i.e., shared beliefs, shared behavior, and interaction). Themes corresponding to constructs from Durkheim’s model were generated from the qualitative data analysis. Findings are discussed, along with practical implications and future research options.

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.

Analysis of golfer motivations and constraints by experience use history.

With an increasing competition for attracting golfers to individual sites, it is becoming more important for managers to identify the variables which attract and retain their golfing clientele. The segmentation of golfers into homogeneous markets allows for the comparison of consumer variables by groups and can assist management in formulating consumer-oriented marketing strategies. The current study utilized experience use history (EUH) to create distinct, identifiable segments of users by examining their past behavior and experience levels in order to identify distinct motivations and constraints by segment. Subjects (N = 1,397) were randomly selected at six different Cleveland Metroparks golf courses. Results show that golfers with different experience use histories differed on both their motivations and constraints to play golf. Specific managerial and theoretical implications are discussed.

Measuring Residents' Emotional Solidarity with Tourists: Scale Development of Durkheim's Theoretical Constructs

While it can prove easy to conceptualize of the relationship between residents and tourists as “us versus them,” it devalues the potential for intimate relationships to exist, whereby residents and tourists have many things in common. The theory of emotional solidarity can aid in explaining such an intimate relationship. Developing the framework from previous qualitative work, the purpose of this study is to formulate and validate scales corresponding to the constructs in Durkheim’s theoretical framework of emotional solidarity. Following two initial stages of pilot testing, each scale is included in an onsite self-administered survey instrument, with 455 heads of household completing the instrument in a coastal South Carolina county. Psychometric properties are assessed and each scale is found to be high in internal consistency and construct validity (i.e., convergent and discriminant validity). Implications as well as potential research opportunities concerning emotional solidarity are discussed.

GPS as a Method for Assessing Spatial and Temporal Use Distributions of Nature-Based Tourists:

Traditional methods of collecting spatial and temporal use data are burdensome to both tourists and researchers, and they often lack needed accuracy. This article examines emergent GPS technology and its application to tracking nature-based tourists. Two applications of GPS presented here demonstrate the usefulness and functionality of GPS for tracking nature-based tourists in most natural recreation environments and in open, complex systems. This study finds that GPS offers advantages over traditional methods for tracking visitors, including more reliable, accurate, and precise data. GPS makes measuring and understanding visitor use patterns even more valuable since actual movements can be investigated instead of reported movements. Also, the accuracy and detail of GPS-collected data allow for analyses and investigations not otherwise possible. Visitor-based GPS surveys represent a useful and potentially powerful tool to help better plan, manage, and monitor nature-based tourists.

Mindfulness as a Tool for Managing Visitors to Tourism Destinations

The primary objective of this study was to develop a further understanding of the construct of mindfulness and its application in managing visitors to natural, cultural, or historically based tourism destinations. Mindfulness represents a state of mind expressed by actively processing available information (e.g., brochures) within the surrounding environment, while mindlessness is considered a type of disengagement from information in one’s surroundings. A 7-item Likert-type-scaled mindfulness measure was modified and administered to visitors at four southeastern coastal parks in April/May 1998. Three groups, “not very mindful, ” “mindful,” and “very mindful,” were identified. Significant differences (p < .05) were found among the three groups concerning benefits sought, preference for services, and participation in nature-oriented activities, with the very mindful group standing apart from the other two. Application of mindfulness principles may provide a framework for tourism destinations in meeting visitor needs while also aiding resource management efforts.

Having more by doing less: the paradox of leisure constraints in later life.

Abstract A considerable literature now documents the vast array of constraints that keep people from participating in or enjoying recreation and leisure activities. Consistently these factors have been regarded as negative and deserving of elimination, negotiation, or navigation. Recently, however, researchers have argued (in separate chapters in Jackson, 2005a) that constraints often exist in a beneficial relationship with leisure activity patterns and should, as a result, be studied for potential positive effects and managed accordingly. The case for the beneficial aspects of constraints to leisure has been made mostly with respect to aging, though arguably it applies to all ages. The model of successful aging that has received the most theoretical and empirical support in recent years is that of selective optimization with compensation (Baltes & Carstensen, 1996). We argue here for a proposition derived from this model that encountering and accepting constraint, while initially painful in many cases, is often life-enhancing. This paper explores this proposition and six implications for managing leisure experience in the course of adjusting to change and limitations throughout life.

Tourism Use History: Exploring a New Framework for Understanding Residents’ Attitudes toward Tourism:

This study attempts to answer the question “What influence does an individual’s travel have on attitudes concerning who should develop tourism in their community as well as the role of the government in such development?” Research on residents’ attitudes toward tourism has traditionally focused on demographic, socioeconomic, and spatial predictor variables, with relatively few consistent findings. Based on the experience use history concept from the leisure and outdoor recreation literature, this study explores a new framework for understanding residents’ attitudes toward tourism in two distinct destinations in South Carolina, United States. Tourism use history was used to create resident groups within each community and assess attitudes about who should develop tourism (e.g., local businesses, outside investors and developers, government, or a public—private partnership) and government support for tourism businesses. Results are discussed in relation to the stage of tourism development in each destination. Further development and testing of tourism use history is recommended.