Challenges And Opportunities In Recreation And Park Services

“Outdoor recreation and adventure tourism operators heavily rely on intact environments and healthy ecosystems,” (Westcott & Anderson, 2021, 5.3 section, para. 2), both of which are threatened by habitat destruction and climate change (Hewer & Gough, 2018).

Access to wilderness areas for tourism operators presents several challenges. Some zones in these areas are designated for recreation, such as provincial and national parks. However, for official permission to conduct commercial operations in these same places, gaining access often entails extensive permitting applications that usually impose restrictions on the types of activities and number of visitors allowed.

Furthermore, parks are generally limited to non-motorized activities, thereby presenting restrictions for tourism operators seeking to provide mechanized recreation. “In some instances, priority may be given to resource extraction or development rather than outdoor operators” (Westcott & Anderson, 2021, 5.3 section, para. 3).

Westcott and Anderson (2021) also point out:

Despite some of the challenges faced by recreation, outdoor recreation, and adventure tourism, the industry as a whole remains an exciting, dynamic, and growing sector of the… tourism economy. Employment opportunities abound, and the potential for economic contribution to the province, protection of wilderness areas, and diversification of rural economies away from resource extraction are exciting prospects. (5.4 section, para. 1)

The Mission of National Parks: A Management Paradox

The NPS Mission Statement states, in part, “The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources… for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations” (NPS, 2023b, para. 4). These two objectives, preservation and enjoyment, are in conflict, which creates numerous challenges in terms of determining park management strategies.

Finding the right balance between protection and availability for recreation (enjoyment) is further complicated by the NPS’ commitment to equal and affordable access for all visitors. After all, the parks belong to the American people, and they must be accessible to everyone.

The first national parks were free to visitors and were financed by private hotels that paid concessionaire fees. However, the development of the car travel industry results in considerable changes in consumer preferences. Throughout the early 20th century, more visitors conducted day-trips by car to the parks as opposed to traveling by train or stagecoach, which was more commonplace in earlier decades. As a result, in 1908 Mount Rainier in Washington state became the first national park to charge fees for automobile admissions (Mackintosh, 1983). At present, approximately 26% of parks within the NPS system charge entrance fees per vehicle, motorcycle, or person; the fees generally range from $5 per person to $35 per vehicle (NPS, 2024a). In stark contrast to many countries around the world, the NPS system does not charge higher entrance fees for foreign tourists.

2.5.2 Challenges And Opportunities In Leisure Studies

Leisure time is the foundation of tourism and it is undergoing major change. Although the quantity of leisure time is not anticipated to increase significantly in the US, one important change is underway. This change involves the implementation of greater flexibility in working patterns. Hybrid and remote work have become the new normal (Gratton, 2021).

One of the technologies most responsible for facilitating remote work is video conferencing. Live video feeds enable real-time interaction, anywhere with an internet connection, thereby offering a cost-effective alternative to face-to-face meetings. This appealing option simply would not be possible without the widespread broadband internet advancements over the past 10-15 years.

This technology has advanced at a pace so fast that many companies have even shifted entirely away from traditional offices. Instead, they operate their businesses out of coworking spaces to accommodate their largely remote workforce. This change allows the development of more flexible working hours and, as a result, more leisure time.

While there are major advantages to this hybrid, remote system, negative impacts also emerge with the blurring of boundaries between work, leisure, office, and home time.

Attributions

1. Figure 2.23: Climate Change in National Parks by National Park Service in the Public Domain; Materials produced by federal agencies are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission.