ADVENTURE TOURISM & COMMERCIAL RECREATION
Growth in this industry segment:
A World Travel and Tourism Council report indicates that adventure travel contributed $154 billion in worldwide receipts in 2000 and is growing at 20% annually. According to the Travel Industry Association "active" travel is 20% of the leisure travel market. A growing segment of the traveling population is "geo savy" and enjoy primitive travel to wilderness areas and enjoy activities that offer challenge, risk and excitement (TIA, 2005). Two-thirds of travelers surveyed indicated they are planning an adventure vacation in the near future. Two thirds of all Americans recently surveyed indicated they planned to visit a theme or amusement park within the next 12 months (IAAPA, 2007).
An ATTA study (2004) revealed physically active, "risk equipped" sports requiring specialized equipment or training was favored by 60% of respondents. Soft nature acitivities were favored by 45%, rugged nature by 39%, and winter snow favored by 32%. Commercial recreation facilities account for much of the recent growth in domestic tourism experiences. Career choices include recreation director, facility manager, sports manager, activity leaders and entrepreneurs. Graduates find employment at convention centers, resorts, golf courses, cruise ships, entertainment complexes, cruise ships, special event companies, equipment sales, theme/amusement parks, country clubs, campgrounds, boating and marina facilities and other regional and local commercial recreation businesses.
Adventure Tourism/Commercial Recreation faculty mentors:
B-2-228 Mackinac Hall
Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401
Phone: 616 331-3160
Fax: 616 331-3115
e-mail: stansbp@gvsu.edu
B-3-261 Mackinac Hall
Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401
Phone: (616) 331-8712
Fax: (616) 331-3115
e-mail: roodsc@gvsu.edu
B-3-246 Mackinac Hall
Grand Valley State University
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401
Phone: (616) 331-8734
Fax: (616) 331-3115
e-mail: robinsr@gvsu.edu
Link to the HTM Academic Program
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