The Role Of Theme Parks As A Leisure Activity For Local Communities (original) (raw)

The role of theme parks in tourism

1994

Although the theme park has been a major tourism destination in the United States, little research has been done in this industry. The growing economic significance and competition of the theme park industry ensure that the study of theme parks will emerge as a more popular research topic in the years to come. The authors review related articles and identify potential research topics in the theme park industry.

Modern family leisure activities organization in theme parks

Perspektivy nauki i obrazovania – Perspectives of Science and Education, 2019

The family, as the first and the main social institution, forms the value orientations of the growing personality. The organization of substantial family leisure is a significant problem and one of the main tasks of the state. Favorable conditions for the organization of cultural leisure and recreation as well as for the realization of the family’s creative potential and social activity can be created in modern theme parks. The authors substantiate the role of theme parks, their social and cultural potential, in the organization of rational leisure for a modern family. The territory of theme parks is designed for recreation and entertainment. The range of services is based on the concept and theme of the Park. After the analysis of the socio-cultural activities of theme parks in the Russian regions , the authors come to the conclusion that it is necessary to study, develop and promote the constructive experience of modern theme parks for the organization of socially justified and diverse family leisure, contributing to the spiritual enrichment and physical improvement, the horizons broadening, the realization of the creative potential of the individual, taking into account the opportunities and needs of each family member.

Theme park selection:: Factors influencing attendance

Tourism Management, 1991

Theme parks are continuously changing in response to market trends and the benefits sought by individuals attending a theme park have changed over the years. Marketers are advised to employ multlsegmentatlon strategies In addresslng new market expectations. This study Identifies factors Influential in the selection of a theme park and by determining the characteristics of visltors versus non-visitors analyses attraction and theme preferences. Teiephone questionnaires were administered to 3039 households randomly selected from 10 eastern US metropolltan areas. Factor analysis provided lnsights into attraction and theme preferences. Strategies are suggested to position theme parks effectively.

The contribution of theme parks to the local development

As the tourism industry grows, theme parks are becoming one of the top forms of massive entertainment attracting enormous numbers of visitors and expanding worldwide. Theme parks have many definitions and consist of a complex part of the tourism sector organized around a central theme providing relaxation and pleasure to the visitors for a whole day. Nevertheless, this phenomenon has not yet gained popularity in Greece. The present paper examines the contribution of theme parks to the local development focusing particularly on the economic dimension. Tourism is characterized by its multifaceted nature and the interrelation with many aspects of the everyday life (social, environment, economic). Thus, every touristically developed society faces the multiple impacts of tourism, which differ in space and time and are determined by different factors. The most discussed and researched effects of tourism are the economic ones meaning the benefits and costs of the tourism development to the host region, which may be positive and negative (leakages from the local economy). Based on the extensive literature review upon theme parks, tourism industry and tourism impacts and the examples of the Vulcania, Puy du Fou and Futuroscope, European parks in France, a number of positive effects to the host society were recognized. Tourism development contributes to foreign exchange incomes, government revenues and regional development. Specifically, the local economy is benefited from the visitors’ expenditure and the creation of employment. The enhancement of economic structures, support of entrepreneurial activity, mitigation of regional economic disparities and the creation of externalities and economies of scale are named as further economic benefits. After all, theme parks may be an advantage to the host region but the possible benefits could also be possible costs. Besides the aforementioned impacts, this paper aims to answer whether theme parks create economies of scale and to which extent they contribute to the local development.

Leisure and culture – the (in)visible link in modern societies

World Leisure Journal, 2011

Leisure and culture Á the (in)visible link in modern societies Overview: culture and creative leisure Leisure often evokes ideas synonymous with different modes of easy living: entertainment, distraction, sports and relaxation, including tourism. As the antithesis of labour, leisure is thus often perceived as a time of luxury, idleness and inefficiency. But, although powerful, this view that free time is time lost may not be accurate. Many thinkers have insisted on the idea that leisure, authentic leisure, is time dedicated to developing one's capacities, a time of learning and cultivation. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, ''Leisure is time for doing something useful'' (Franklin, 1758). A life dedicated solely to work would not be a decent human life Á this is implicit in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, in its Article 28, that ''Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits'' (United Nations, 1948). In terms of human development, we could say that our bodies need rest, but that our minds need creative leisure. In terms of economic development also, equating leisure with inefficiency is questionable. Economic success is often associated with striking the right balance in the division of labour, that is production; but consumption mostly happens when people are not working, that is when they participate in the life of their cultures. In that, leisure can be credited with giving a boost to creativity, innovation and related synergies. Thus, contrary to commonly held views, leisure is a special feature of culture, be it individualised or organised. As culture determines our lifestyles, our consumption and our production patterns, we need to realise that the culture of creative leisure includes tourism, travel and vacation, fashion and dressing, eating, epicurean pleasures and hospitality, sports, reading, museums and exhibitions, media and the visual arts, concerts, opera and music. Building on this, we can give a quick account of how the leisure-culture link positively relates to different approaches to development.

Reinforcement of the Leisure Culture

This paper examines major trends in leisure in an attempt to trace some possible future developments in the consumption and production of leisure in general, and tourism in particular. The first part of the analysis concentrates on the time dimension, examining the changing relationship between work and leisure time in the developed world. This is followed by an analysis of the social consequences of the ‘growth’ of leisure, particularly in terms of the growing imbalance in the distribution of work and leisure time. The future implications of this imbalance are then considered, particularly in terms of its potential influence on tourism consumption.

Leisure trends "an enquiry in the past two decades to understand the transition in leisure trends."

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS: THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: RESILIENCE BY TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN; December 8th-11th, 2022, 2023

Recreation and leisure can be found where people congregate to play, enjoy, or rest. Cities, towns, small villages, the countryside, and urban centers provide recreation opportunities. Leisure affects people of all ages, stages of life, cultures, social classes, and genders through personal experiences or observations. It is used to identify people who engage in recreational activities or spend time in natural settings. Leisure has a prominent role in the mental and physical health of the human being. Leisure activities are being ignored by people for different reasons; while building future cities, we have to introduce a new domain of leisure while planning and designing cities. This study focuses on exploring significant trends in the Leisure domain using the Elsevier Scopus database and analyzing the database using bibliometric analysis to evaluate the research components. The study will serve as a fundamental basis for understanding the different trends in the research domain. This bibliometric analysis combines information from various research areas, adds to the categorization of the literature review on the subject, and provides information to help understand changing trends in the leisure domain that can be used in building future cities. ISBN: 978-604-80-7564-4 Link:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ieq411LM6XMFrfUOQ-icM6RpfmGxN5Pf/view