Propositions for Use in Comparing Consumer Images of Private and Public Recreation Facilities

Increasing competition between private sector and public sector recreation facilities dictates that managers must be more sensitive to the needs and wants of their patrons. There appears to be evidence that the image of a recreation facility may be at least partially determined by its private or public sector status. Eight researchable propositions are developed to guide further research in this area

A study of Chinese single children\u27s family vacation and wellbeing

This research is proposed to examine Chinese family vacations in the single child policy context. Family vacations are considered to play a beneficial role in strengthening family functioning as well as improving individual’s wellbeing. However, extant understandings of family vacations are limited due to the absence of voices from non-Western cultures. Based on a post-positivist orientation, this study will conduct an empirical study in three major cities in Mainland China. Using middle school students as the sample of Chinese single children, this study intends to describe representations of Chinese single children’s family vacations; to evaluate single children’s perceptions of the quality of their family vacation experiences; and to examine the influence of family vacation (i.e., family interaction, quality of experiences) on Chinese single children’s subjective wellbeing

Sub-Dimensions of Destination Brand Love and Their Influences on Destination Brand Loyalty: A Study of First-timers and Repeat Visitors

Brand loyalty requires close emotional bonds between consumers and brands. Few attempts have addressed the significance of destination brand love’s sub-dimensions in constituting destination brand loyalty. Considering that first-time and repeat visitors behave differently, this study investigated the impacts of destination brand love’s sub-dimensions on destination brand loyalty (cognitive, attitudinal, conative, and behavioral loyalty) among first-time and repeat visitors. Consistent with Batra et al. (2012), destination brand love contains six sub-dimensions: self-brand integration, passion-driven behaviors, long-term relationship, positive emotional connection, attitude valence, and attitude strength. We define destination brand love as the degree of intense affection a tourist holds for a particular branded destination (Carroll & Ahuvia, 2006). Based on survey data from over 500 visitors at Shanghai Disney Resort, we found that first-time visitors’long-term relationship with branded destinations was insignificant in predicting destination brand loyalty. Repeat visitors’ attitude valence and attitude strength are significant contributors to destination brand loyalty

"I Decided to Invest in My Kids' Memories": Family Vacations, Memories, and the Social Construction of the Family

This article explores the cultural significance of family vacations and the role that these vacations play in the social construction of the family. Based on a series of semistructured interviews with members of families living in Ontario, Canada, the article examines the meanings and experiences associated with family vacations for parents of school aged children. Family vacations were seen as a form of escape from the pressures of everyday life, even though they involved organizational and emotional work, especially for mothers. Family vacations were valued as an opportunity for family togetherness and for improving patterns of family communication. Of particular importance was the long-term goal of creating memories that would enhance family cohesion and construct and support a positive sense of family. The findings indicate that the cultural meanings associated with family vacations, at least for these Canadian families, may be different in some important ways from other forms of tourism

An experimental examination of sector bias in the context of selected organized recreation services

Typescript (photocopy).The objectives of this study were (a) to explore the concept that consumers of organized recreation services have well formed attitudes (sector biases) regarding public sector agencies and commercial businesses; (b) to examine the effect of persuasive messages on sector biases; (c) to examine the effect of sector biases on recreation choice behavior; (d) to examine the effect of recreation choice behavior on sector biases; and (e) to develop a taxonomy for classifying various forms of sector bias. An experimental design employing three sets of persuasive videotapes was used in conjunction with two sets of semantic differential type items designed to measure sector biases in subjects and their attitudes toward the treatment videotapes. Subjects also made recreation choice decisions using a third set of semantic differential type items. Subjects were screened prior to participation in the experiment for the purpose of examining only people who were highly involved in the two recreation activities selected. Results of the hypothesis testing suggest that the subjects in the experimental sample did have significantly different attitudes regarding the public and commercial sectors. The persuasive treatment videotapes were successful in influencing a significant number of subjects. In addition, attitudes were found to influence recreation choice behavior to a greater degree than recreation choice behavior influenced attitudes. Finally, subjects placed into various cells of the sector bias taxonomy were found to differ significantly from subjects placed into other cells. Implications for recreation managers in both sectors were discussed. Directions for future research into the sector bias concept were also outline

An experimental examination of sector bias in the context of selected organized recreation services

Typescript (photocopy).The objectives of this study were (a) to explore the concept that consumers of organized recreation services have well formed attitudes (sector biases) regarding public sector agencies and commercial businesses; (b) to examine the effect of persuasive messages on sector biases; (c) to examine the effect of sector biases on recreation choice behavior; (d) to examine the effect of recreation choice behavior on sector biases; and (e) to develop a taxonomy for classifying various forms of sector bias. An experimental design employing three sets of persuasive videotapes was used in conjunction with two sets of semantic differential type items designed to measure sector biases in subjects and their attitudes toward the treatment videotapes. Subjects also made recreation choice decisions using a third set of semantic differential type items. Subjects were screened prior to participation in the experiment for the purpose of examining only people who were highly involved in the two recreation activities selected. Results of the hypothesis testing suggest that the subjects in the experimental sample did have significantly different attitudes regarding the public and commercial sectors. The persuasive treatment videotapes were successful in influencing a significant number of subjects. In addition, attitudes were found to influence recreation choice behavior to a greater degree than recreation choice behavior influenced attitudes. Finally, subjects placed into various cells of the sector bias taxonomy were found to differ significantly from subjects placed into other cells. Implications for recreation managers in both sectors were discussed. Directions for future research into the sector bias concept were also outline

Ratios of Tourist Experience: It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

Much like Charles Dickens’ prelude to A Tale of Two Cities, stories tourists give of their destination experience tend to develop from an amalgam of positive and negative encounters. To understand best and the worst experiences researchers often consider using qualitative data to extract insights. Several approaches for analyzing self-report feedback on performance exist, yet the most frequently used approach asks tourists to provided written accounts of critical incidents, positive and negative experiences, that occurred during their destination visit. A content analysis of comments from 987 visitors was used to generate an overall account of the destination. Ratios of best and worst experiences with different attributes provide a report of strengths and weaknesses for industry action, and offer a template for destination researchers intent on describing experienced-based performance

Destination Appraisal: An Analysis of Critical Incidents

In light of numerous calls for researchers to draw evaluative insights from qualitative data, this study examines the utility of applying a traditional framework for appraisal, importance-performance analysis, to a content analytic assessment of comments. A sample of tourists provided written accounts of positive and negative incidents that occurred during their destination visit. Content analyses of comment frequency and order were used to generate an action grid that specified strengths and weaknesses. The validity of this approach to appraisal is considered along with the study’s implications for evaluative research in general

Leisure Matters: Cross Continent Conversations in a Time of Crisis

Months after COVID-19 emerged as a newsmaker in Asia, a new strain of March Madness emerged in North America. Incredulity followed as leisure activities, hallowed as venues and expressions of individual and collective identity were closed. Freedoms, real and perceived, were curtailed. Like others, we sought to maintain social connections. For the first time in decades, our weekly on-line conversations became normative. Two authors remain working to sustain the academy’s work during this crisis and the other is retired. Spatially we reside in a major metropolitan area of 6 million, a small west coast college town, and a Great Lakes region vacation community. Our discussion connects leisure research and the context of basic rights that North Americans have long taken for granted. This commentary emerged from integrated discussion regarding how the crisis affects and may change leisure behavior from multiple perspectives