Attitudes, Perceptions, and Characteristics of Summer Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains Region
Van Cleave RL, Franz CP, Franz DL, Van Cleave AK. 1991. Attitudes, Perceptions, and Characteristics of Summer Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains Region. Pages 141-161. In Proceedings 1990 Southeastern Recreation Research Conference Volume 12. Asheville, North Carolina. February 14-16, 1990. USDA Forest Service
ABSTRACT: The goals of this research were twofold: 1) to provide descriptions of typical summer visitors to the Great Smoky Mountain region, and 2) to establish a cooperative program for visitor research between the Uplands Field Research Laboratory of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) and the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce. Surveys from 412 individuals were collected in Gatlinburg and the National Park. They were analyzed using descriptive statistics, T-Tests, and factor analysis. Analyses revealed that visitors to Gatlinburg and visitors to the National Park differ in many ways, including demographic characteristics and in the perceptions and attitudes they possess regarding this region. At the same time, some of the needs that both groups of visitors hope to fulfill when visiting this region are quite similar. For example, many described this area as a favorite place for reunions of family and friends. This research also supports the hypothesis that visitors choosing either a tourist-oriented or nature-oriented experience differ significantly in many ways. These results should prove beneficial to managers of both locales, not only in understanding the motivations and expectations of visitors, but also in forming policy decisions regarding the interface of these two very different areas. It is hoped that this research marks the beginning of a longstanding, mutually beneficial cooperative program between GRSM and surrounding communities.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Van Cleave, Rebecca; Franz, Cynthia; Franz, David; Van Cleave, A
- Date of Issue
- 1991
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, attitudes, campsites, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, recreation, SER, Southeast Region, visitor use