Category Archives: RIndustry

Jun11

Electronic Media: Urban v. Nature-Based Tourists

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Pretty view from the bus! Image by TheGirlsNY. Retrieved from FlickR. Used under Creative Commons Licensing.

Pretty view from the bus! Image by TheGirlsNY. Retrieved from FlickR. Used under Creative Commons Licensing.

I wanted to pass along research recently released by the University of Minnesota-Tourism Center. It compares the use of electronic media among urban and nature‐based tourists. The research found that almost half of the nature-based travelers used the advice of friends/family to plan a trip oppose to on-line sites and travel reviews. However, during the trip they tended to accessed websites and Facebook to share their experiences.  Non-nature (urban) based tourists showed a slightly higher reaction to social media that ultimately responded in a change in travel plans.

Click here for an additional snapshot of the research finding from Compare uses of electronic media, among urban nature‐based tourists by Andrew Oftedal, M.S., Arielle Courtney,Graduate Research Assistant,&Ingrid Schneider, Ph.D

So what does this mean? It could be used to evaluate social media in the tourism industry based on the data collected and intended audience. In addition, this information can be tracked over a given period of time (longitudinal study) to identify shifts in technology trends such as  types of media/devices used.

 

Jun6

Travel Gift Idea?

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Image by Urban Outfitters

Image by Urban Outfitters

Outside of  travel books, I generally don’t support any one particular company or their associated products in my blog posts. However, with summer at our doorstep and the peek travel season commencing; I thought this would be appropriate to share with my readers.

I ran across an inspiring gift idea-ideal for any world traveler!

It is not uncommon for people to journal or mark routes and specific locations on a map. However, Urban Outfitters has a slightly different take on this old idea. Instead of adding notes to a map, they sell a product that allows a traveler to take it off .  It is a 32″W by 23″ H world map coated with a scratch-able material. This allows the owner to expose the places he/she has traveled to. Click here for a link to their travel gift idea page.

Tip: At a price point just under $40, this could make an excellent gift for a recent college or high school grad beginning their journey.

Check back for additional posts about documenting our travels.

May15

RTravel Apps: European Exploration: The Art of Discovery!

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Image by Smabs Sputzer some rights reserved

Image by Smabs Sputzer some rights reserved

GAMeS Lab at RU has launched a free app for young explorers called European Exploration: The Art of Discovery made available through iTunes. This application allows little travelers (ages 4+)  to role play as 15th Century captains responsible for everything from hiring a crew to building their ships. While sailing around the world the game introduces historical content intended to increase awareness and knowledge about various locations around the world. I love that although these are fictional voyages, the process instills pragmatic skills helpful even in modern day explorations; the art of cartography, the importance of money management, the ability to navigate problems that arise during a trip, etc.  When you are ready-click here to launch your (or your child’s) first voyage!

*Rate this app in the comment section below!

May1

Participating in NAI

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NAIAl Leftridge, Ph.D,  is hosting an interpretive writing workshop in Minnesota this weekend. In the tourism field the word “interpretation” goes beyond conventional languages. It is the concept of conveying something to an audience through words, sounds, images, etc.  Mr. Leftridge and myself are members of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). This organization is the offspring of the Association of Interpretive Naturalists (founded in 1954) and the Western Interpreters Association (founded in 1965).  NAI views interpretation as a mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource.  Individual members (5,00o+) include those who work at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, historical and cultural sites, commercial tour companies, and theme parks. Commercial and institutional members include those who provide services to the heritage interpretation industry. Additional information about  NAI can be found on their website. I encourage you to think about the  role it plays in the tourism industry and ways it might connect to your travels.