HUMAN-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS IN RECREATION AND TOURISM CONTEXTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR QUALITY OF LIFE

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0185436
• Project Start Date: May 30, 2000
• Project End Date: May 29, 2005
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
750 AGRONOMY RD STE 2701
COLLEGE STATION,TX 77843-0001

Performing Department
RECREATION, PARKS & TOURISM

Non Technical Summary
Human-animal interactions occur in community and outdoor recreation, and nature tourism contexts. The purpose of the project is to develop and test a conceptual framework describing outcomes and implications of human-animal interactions for community quality of life.

Animal Health Component

50%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

25%

Applied

50%

Developmental

25%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
134	6050	3080	50%
134	6099	3030	30%
134	0599	3060	20%

Knowledge Area
134 - Outdoor Recreation;

Subject Of Investigation
0599 - Recreational resources, general/other; 6099 - People and communities, general/other; 6050 - Communities, areas, and regions;

Field Of Science
3060 - Political science; 3080 - Sociology; 3030 - Information and communication;

Keywords

wildlife

recreation

leisure

tourism

environment

ecology

parks

public policies

pets

natural resources

planning

resource management

quality of life

outdoor recreation

sociology

livestock

humans

literature

reviews

psychology

Goals / Objectives
1.To develop a conceptual framework for the study of human- animal interactions in recreation and tourism contexts. It is anticipated that this framework will address (a) the nature of interactions (b) outcomes of interactions (c) implications of outcomes for individual, group, and community dimensions of quality of life, and (d) policy, planning and management of recreation and tourism contexts where human-animal interactions occur 2. To explore, through empirical research, the relationships between these variables in community recreation contexts. Particular attention will be paid to the role of public spaces and other resources related to human-animal interactions, including those associated with companions animals, wildlife, and livestock that are part of the "everyday" leisure experience. 3. To explore, through empirical research, the relationships between these variables in nature tourism contexts. Particular attention will be paid to the interface between local people, tourists, and wildlife and quality of life implications as they pertain to each of these populations. To this end, this objective will address issues associated with the sustainability and wildlife and other related natural components, community setting, and the tourism experience.

Project Methods
Objective 1 will be achieved by conducting a comprehensive, state-of-the-art literature review related to human-animal interactions, recreation and tourism, and dimensions of quality of life. Objectives 2 and 3 will be achieved through a combination of qualitative research (interviews and observation), survey research, and case studies. Knowledge generated in this phase will contribute to the development of relevant theory addressing the leisure/human-animal interactions. This theory will form the basis for an ongoing agenda of research.

Progress 05/30/00 to 05/29/05

Outputs
This project was terminated at the end of its first year. Accomplishments included a literature review relevant to the intersections of human-animal interactions and recreation/leisure/tourism which generated the framework for further research to examine experiential outcomes of human-animal interactions, and their benefit implications. One study begun in 2000 analyzed the differences between visitors to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and other communities within that region and resulted in one academic (refereed) presentation. A national web-based survey of persons involved with managing off-leash dog parks, a park form that is rapidly growing in popularity around the country, was begun but not completed at the time of the departure of the principal investigator.

Impacts
The study of human-animal interactions represents a new and emerging focus within academia that integrates a variety of disciplines and both applied and basis research. Literature suggests that the present of companion animals in people's lives may be linked to a variety of benefits, from economic benefits associated with the desire for wildlife interactions, to psycho-social benefits associated with companion animal interactions.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00

Outputs
During this year (2000), I addressed the first phase of the research project, which involved conducting a "state of the art" literature review relevant to the intersections of human-animal interactions and recreation/leisure/tourism. This review has generated the framework for further developing the empirical research phase that will examine experiential outcomes of human-animal interactions, and their benefit implications. This phase commenced in 2000 through four projects: two involving an ecotourism focus, and two involving a companion animal focus. In terms the study of human-animal dimensions of ecotourism I conducted an analysis of differences between visitors to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and other communities within that region. One academic (refereed) presentation was given, and a paper has been submitted to a scholarly journal, regarding this study. Additionally, I was invited to travel to Brazil to participate in the study of emerging forms of ecotourism, in part as it related to wildlife interactions there. Again, one presentation has been given relevant to this work, and a paper submitted to a journal. The agenda also includes companion animals and I have commenced with two projects related to this dimension. One of these is a national web-based survey of persons involved with managing off-leash dog parks, a park form that is rapidly growing in popularity around the country. This survey will be completed this summer. Another is a study of the "serious leisure" associated with companion animal involvement. A proposal has been submitted to a professional association to fund this effort.

Impacts
The study of human-animal interactions represents a new and emerging focus within academia that integrates a variety of disciplines and both applied and basis research. Literature suggests that the presence of companion animals in people's lives may be linked to a variety of benefits, from economic benefits associated with the desire for wildlife interactions, to psycho-social benefits associated with companion animal interactions. Empirical research thus far has contributed primarily to the former. Specifically marketing strategies associated with wildlife-based tourism opportunities have been suggested by the aforementioned studies.

Publications

• Richardson, Sarah L., Hyounggon Kim and Heather Bowen. July 2000. Understanding Nature Tourists A Comparative Analysis of Visitors to the Texas Coast. Submitted to Journal of Travel Research, Currently in revision.
• Borges, Marcos and Sarah L. Richardson. September 2000. Ecotourism in Extractive Reserves in Brazil: A Model for Planning and Development. Invited chapter (by Dr, Irene Herreman, University of Calgary) for case study book on tourism and the natural environment. Accepted pending revisions.
• Richardson, Sarah L. and Heather Bowen. June 2000. "Wildlife Tourists: Are They A Unique Species?". Paper presented at the International Symposium on Society and Resource Management", Bellingham, Washington.
• Borges, M. and Sarah L, Richardson. June 2000. "Ecotourism in Extractive Reserves in Brazil: A Model for Planning and Development", Paper presented at the International Symposium on Society and Resource Management", Bellingham, Washington.
• Richardson, Sarah L. and Scott Shafer, May 2000. Finding Common Ground Between Residents and Visitors: Implications for Successful Tourism Development. Paper presented at the National Tourism Extension Conference, Hawaii.
• Richardson, Sarah L. and Marcos Borges. February 2000. Toward Sustainable Tourism Practices on the Rio Araguaia,Brazil. Submitted to Tourism Management; In second review.