Participation Type
Poster
Presentation #1 Title
Increasing rural tourism: A demographic profile of visitors to an OHV park in rural Kentucky
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
As the foundation for their local economies continue to change, communities in rural eastern Kentucky continue to struggle economically. In efforts to help these rural communities recover, leadership and entrepreneurs have identified natural resources in eastern Kentucky as a footing by which to build a new economic structure related to outdoor recreation. As awareness of these areas continues to grow, many outdoor recreation resources and experiences are generating investment and recreation interest. In that outdoor recreation development is already in process in many places, those interested in facilitating these experiences have decisions to make regarding development and marketing. However, there is a lack of necessary information to help with investment and development decisions. This research helped profiled a group of visitors for a specific outdoor recreation experience. Findings of this exploratory study highlighted variables such as age (M=46.31), sex (78% male), education (37% high school graduate), income (42% $75,000-$149,999), destination intent (84%) may provide information needed to appropriately assess various target audiences for specific experiences. Participants in this study were explicit to a specific outdoor recreation experience, however, there is reason to believe this information has implications for developing and marketing outdoor recreation in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. More information is necessary to better inform operation of varied facilities and experiences, but outdoor recreation does seem to be a valid starting point to help recovering rural Kentucky economies.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Dr. Scott is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Kentucky. She is the Past President of the Appalachian Studies Association. Her interests center upon social inequality, gender, the politics of identity and commemoration, theory, qualitative methods, participatory action research and social movements in Appalachia and Northern Ireland.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Dr. Bradley an Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation and Park Administration at Eastern Kentucky University. His research interests are human dimensions and the management of natural resources for sustained recreation. Dr. Bradley sits on the board of the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals and the Kentucky State Parks Foundation.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Dr. Maples an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work at Eastern Kentucky University.His research interests are sociological methods, applied sociology, ethnography, Appalachian studies, social justice and change, and economic impact studies.
Increasing rural tourism: A demographic profile of visitors to an OHV park in rural Kentucky
As the foundation for their local economies continue to change, communities in rural eastern Kentucky continue to struggle economically. In efforts to help these rural communities recover, leadership and entrepreneurs have identified natural resources in eastern Kentucky as a footing by which to build a new economic structure related to outdoor recreation. As awareness of these areas continues to grow, many outdoor recreation resources and experiences are generating investment and recreation interest. In that outdoor recreation development is already in process in many places, those interested in facilitating these experiences have decisions to make regarding development and marketing. However, there is a lack of necessary information to help with investment and development decisions. This research helped profiled a group of visitors for a specific outdoor recreation experience. Findings of this exploratory study highlighted variables such as age (M=46.31), sex (78% male), education (37% high school graduate), income (42% $75,000-$149,999), destination intent (84%) may provide information needed to appropriately assess various target audiences for specific experiences. Participants in this study were explicit to a specific outdoor recreation experience, however, there is reason to believe this information has implications for developing and marketing outdoor recreation in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. More information is necessary to better inform operation of varied facilities and experiences, but outdoor recreation does seem to be a valid starting point to help recovering rural Kentucky economies.
