Recreation & Entertainment Hospitality and Tourism 110

Recreation & Entertainment Projected to be the fastest growing sector by 2015 Offers some of the most unique work and career opportunities

Segments Attractions Adventure Tourism and Recreation Events

Attractions

Attractions Attractions are either resource-based (natural) or human-made. Attractions draw visitors to locations and are the reasons that other services exist. The more special the attraction, the more visitors it draws.

Definitions Visitor attraction – place, venue or activity that attracts visitors. A fee may or may not be charged. Natural attractions – beaches of PEI, Rockies, northern lights Constructed attractions – Confederation Bridge, National Art Gallery (Ottawa)

Funding in the Attractions Industry Public: museums, zoos/aquariums, historic sites, casinos –taxes, admission fees, donations, grants Non-profit: museums, zoos/aquariums, historic sites –admission fees, donations, grants, memberships Private: theme parks, amusement parks, carnivals/circuses, theatres, shopping malls –admission fees, food & beverage, merchandise, entertainment, parking

Amusement Parks The trend is to provide a new ride or a new form of entertainment every year Another trend is to provide people with interactive computer games Special events at the parks are becoming increasingly important

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Adventure Tourism & Recreation

A major motivator in attracting tourists An annual growth rate of 15% makes this the fastest growing industry in Canadian tourism More than 80 different occupations in this sector

Parks Canada Parks Canada and Canadian Heritage are responsible for: –Our national historic sites –Our seven heritage canal systems –Our national battlefields –Our national heritage river systems –All national museums and galleries –Library and Archives Canada –Canadian cultural activities, including television, radio, film, and the arts

Crown Land Much of our Canadian wilderness is owned by the federal or provincial governments – known as Crown Land Most adventure tourism occurs on Crown land –E.g. province of British Columbia 92% is provincial Crown land 1% is federal Crown land 5% is privately owned 2% covered by water

Adventure Tourism – Three Categories Hard adventure – involves risk, challenge and strenuous physical exertion, special equipment and prior training –Example: mountain climbing Soft adventure – less risky, less strenuous and requires little or no preparation –Example: hiking on a trail Eco-tourism – nature-related experiences that help people appreciate and understand natural resources and the importance of conservation

Hard Adventure – West Coast Trail Open from May 1 to Sept km walk Takes 5 – 7 days to complete Average temp in July 14C Hikers must provide Parks Canada with an itinerary in case of accident – rescuers may take 24 hours to arrive

Ecotourism One of the most misunderstood and overused terms in the tourism sector Most ecotourists are more mature, have post- secondary education, prefer longer trips (8 to 14 days) and are willing to pay a higher price Must ensure that no damage is done to our ecosystems –E.g. low-impact camping, take everything out with you, no picking or taking ‘souvenirs’, etc.

Ecotourism Examples in Canada: –Tours flying into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, BC –Tracing the early path of European explorers across Davis Strait to Baffin Island –Travelling the coastal waters of the Arctic

Ecotourism Greenwashing – too many tour operators and suppliers using ecotourism to encourage clients yet NOT doing anything to ensure they are being responsible to our ecosystems

Outdoor Recreation

Winter Sports Skiing – 35 percent of Canadian population skis during the winter Types –Track skiing– done on groomed trails –Touring skiing – done on ungroomed trails Cross-country/Nordic Downhill/alpine Heli-skiing Snowboarding

Winter Sports Dog-sledding Luge Snowmobiling Hockey Ice skating Tobogganing Curling Ice sailing

Spring, Summer & Fall Hunting and Fishing Camping Golf Tennis Marine Activities Walking

Tourism’s Impact on the Environment

Impact Tourism is a user and abuser of the environment. Establishing tourism management practices that limit harm to the environment is becoming a top priority for the tourism sector. The Great Barrier Reef is a prime example of environmental damage by tourists who knowingly or unknowingly kill the corals by stepping on them or taking them home as souvenirs.

Impact Carrying Capacity – maximum number of people who can use a site without damaging it too much for the next visitors. Some areas preserve the experience by limiting the number of visitors per year.

Environmental Components Vegetation Water Quality Other Pollutants Wildlife Coastlines Mountains Deserts

Canada’s Green Plan

Green Plan Recommends that 12 percent of Canada’s lands be protected space for parks, historic sites and wildlife. Reduce waste sent to landfill sites by 50% Redesigning purchasing policies to ensure waste reduction Collecting and recycling all recyclables Using environmentally friendly hotel supplies

Fairmont Hotels One of the first chains to ask guests to use their bed linens more than once Blue recycle boxes have reached 100% compliance 86% of paper is recycled 90% of used soap is recycled to local charities and less developed countries Chateau Montebello uses its own compost as a fertilizer Royal York donates leftover food to relief agencies in the city

Events

Events Important industry because it makes use of: –Accommodations –Food and beverage –Travel services –Recreation and entertainment Creates jobs (full and part-time) Every community holds special events

Special Events “A onetime or infrequently occurring event outside the normal program or activities of the sponsoring or organization body. To the customer, a special event is an opportunity for leisure, social or cultural experience outside the normal range of choice or beyond everyday experience.”

Special Events Examples: –Olympics and Paralympics –Live 8 Concert –Calgary Stampede –Nova Scotia International Tattoo

Festivals Public celebrations centered on themes of local, regional or national interest Celebrate jazz, blues, winter, tulips, etc… Examples: –Folklorama – Winnipeg –Symphony of Fire – Victoria –Pumpkinfest – Port Elgin –Carnaval de Quebec – Quebec City

Fairs Fairs focus on agriculture or history Agricultural fairs feature livestock, produce, local arts and crafts, carnival rides, food Examples: –Canadian National Exhibition – Toronto (August) –Royal Winter Fair – Toronto (November)

Other Events Circus – concern for the welfare of circus animals has caused a decline in this type of event Hallmark Event – bring tourists from around the world and have a huge economic impact on a community Fundraising Event – people have a chance to enjoy a special activity while supporting a cause

Other Events Civic Events – municipal to global –Canada Day, Remembrance Day, New Year’s Eve Spectator Sporting Events – can be a large event (Olympics, Stanley Cup, Super Bowl) or a sport that is in a big city (Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Raptors)

Conferences, Conventions and Meetings Association meetings are a) Conventions or b) Conferences CONVENTIONS – delegates come together to share ideas and to reach agreement –Often has a strong recreational element CONFERENCES – delegates usually come from a single industry or occupation –Often has a more educational tone

Difficulties in holding an event 1.Finding volunteers 2.Community businesses and residents who don’t agree with the event 3.Inadequate planning 4.Large number of visitors 5.Damage to the environment 6.Until well known, difficulty attracting visitors