The Hatfield Mccoy Trail System Tourism Essay

Abstraction

The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System has become a major touristry attractive force and an economic blessing for the southwesterly country of West Virginia. Communities there are seeking to sustainably develop the country to supply services for Hatfield-McCoy Trail visitants. Directors and contrivers must expect the alone demands from this group of recreationists. Analyzing visitant penchants will let these communities to be after efficaciously.

Preliminary findings indicate that Hatfield-McCoy users are extremely specialized, experient riders that plan multiple twenty-four hours trips to the system. Initial analysis shows visitants average over 14 old ages of siting experience and spend over $ 1300 per twelvemonth on off-highway vehicle ( OHV ) equipment. Initial informations besides suggest that 88 % of trail users will return within the following 12 months.

Survey aggregation is ongoing as of June, 2012, and extra survey will include importance public presentation analysis of Hatfield-McCoy trail characteristics, lodging penchants, and beginnings of information used for trip planning.

Table of Contentss

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Background

The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System ( HMTS ) was opened in the twelvemonth 2000 by the West Virginia legislative assembly to bring forth economic development through touristry for the counties of Logan, Kanawha, Wyoming, McDowell, Mercer, Wayne, Lincoln, Mingo, and Boone ( CBER 2006 ) . The country served by the trail system is one of most poorness afflicted parts in the U.S. with incomes, rewards and net incomes good below the national and West Virginia norms. In 2004, while West Virginia ‘s per capita income was merely 78 % of the national norm, the Hatfield-McCoy part ‘s was merely 63 % . For net incomes, West Virginia was merely 68 % of the national norm and the survey part ‘s was merely 48 % ( CBER 2006 ) . The Hatfield-McCoy Trails are a major factor in bettering the economic conditions of the country.

The trail system is a multi-use system that provides diversion chances for many different types of off-highway vehicles ( OHVs ) such as all-terrain vehicles ( ATVs ) , side by side public-service corporation vehicles ( UTVs ) , and soil motorcycles ; nevertheless trails are unfastened for mountain rockerss, horseback riders, and tramps to utilize every bit good. The trails create the biggest system of its sort on the East Coast and the 2nd largest in the state ( Wilcox, 2011 ) with visitants geting from environing provinces such as Kentucky, Virginia, and Ohio, while some visitants travel every bit far as Canada.

Presently there are six of the nine WV counties ( Wyoming, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Logan, and Boone ) with over 600 stat mis of off-highway vehicle ( OHV ) trails. The HMTS has become a major service sector making a fiscal advantage for these counties and for the province of West Virginia. An IMPLAN analysis of the economic impact of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System on West Virginia showed an addition in income of $ 2,789,036 and the coevals of 146 new occupations ( CBER 2006 ) . These additions would non hold happened in the absence of the trail system.

1.2 Problem Statement

As engagement in OHV diversion on the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system has grown, it has quickly outstripped the available equitation installations and complementary concerns within the hosting communities. The intent of this research will be to analyze visitant penchants of the OHV riders of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, in add-on to importance-performance information of trail characteristics and installations to asses the degree of consumer satisfaction with the trail system in order to increase the sum of information on OHV riders and their housing penchants, which can be used to make better chances for suiting the Hatfield McCoy visitant.

The survey identifies a demand for information that would let hosting communities to be prepared in doing more effectual determinations that improve the quality of diversion experiences, lodging penchants, and beginnings of information used for trip planning. Basically, in utilizing the information created by the present survey, it confirms that Hatfield-McCoy users are experient and inherently specialised recreationists whose ends are different than typical OHV users, and will assist directors and contrivers to expect the alone demands of this group.

1.3 Purpose and Aims

The intent of this research is to better direction and planning of Hatfield-McCoy Trail System ( HMTS ) communities by supplying directors with information that will help in the development of installations, concerns, and siting countries that meet the demands of OHV riders in an effectual and sustainable mode. To carry through this intent, several aims will be met:

To find lodging penchants of Hatfield-McCoy visitants ;

To find the experience degree, and passing features of Hatfield-McCoy OHV riders ;

To place group size, hours traveled, frequence, and seasonality of visits to the HMTS ;

To place the importance and satisfaction of HMTS installations and characteristics to OHV riders ;

To place information beginnings most used by Hatfield-McCoy visitants ;

Chapter 2: Literature Reappraisal

The intent of this literature reappraisal is to research research that is relevant to the present survey.

To supply context for the undertaking an overview of OHV usage in the United States and current Forest Service OHV publications are summarized. Then diversion positions and the theory of specialisation which will be applied to project will be reviewed. Finally, a reappraisal is done of surveies that have applied economic impact analysis related to OHV diversion and which provide a footing for comparing with this research.

2.1 Overview

Outdoor diversion is one of the fastest turning economic activities in the state. Last twelvemonth over $ 33 billion was spent on out-of-door diversion equipment. Over 159 million persons in the U.S. participated in 18.3 billion out-of-door diversion experiences ( CBER, 2006 ) . An of import component of out-of-door diversion is the activity that takes topographic point on trails. A recent survey ( Outdoor Industry Foundation, 2006 ) estimated that 72 % of Americans aged 16 and older participated in an out-of-door activity in 2005, with hike, running and biking on trails being three of the most often reported activities, nevertheless, OHV recreational usage on trails is besides turning in popularity.

In the first countrywide recreational survey in 1960 by the National Survey on Recreation and the Environment off main road vehicle diversion was non included because degrees of OHV usage were so low ( Hammit and Cole, 1998 ) . OHV usage foremost entered the recreational scene in the seventiess with 5.3 million user yearss being recorded on U.S.D.A Forest Service land ( Feuchter, 1980, as cited in Silberman and Anderek, 2006 ) . Cordell ( 1999 ) reported that in 1994/95 14 % of Americans 16 old ages and older, 27.9 million participates engaged in off-road drive. The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America ( SVIA ) estimates that ATV gross revenues have increased over 280 % countrywide in the US since 1994 ( SVIA, 2006 ) . Engagement in ATV diversion is expected to go on to increase across the US through 2015 ( Cordell, et Al, 2005 ) . This kind of recreational engagement assures future demand for off-highway trail systems, with OHV diversion being recognized as one of the faster turning out-of-door activities, the National Survey of Recreation in the Environment ( NSRE ) ( Cordell et al. , 2008 ) .

Although off-highway vehicle diversion is going a favourite interest it comes with its portion of environmental issues like noise pollution, air pollution, and dirt eroding. With such rapid growing, the necessity for available siting installations becomes evident. It has been a challenge for many public land direction bureaus to supply equal countries for OHV usage. Conflict emerges between OHV users, and other types of outdoor recreationists ( tramps, birdwatchers, wildlife huntsmans, etc. ) who feel that the land should be preserved. While the places of the involvement groups may differ, they typically portion the concern that OHV usage be carried out responsibly ( Cordell et al. , 2008 ) . Trail systems like the Hatfield-McCoy trails in West Virginia are an of import constituent when it comes to direction of off-highway vehicle diversion.

The overall end of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails is to set up a universe category OHV trail system while concentrating on safety by supplying subject and construction for the athletics ( Lusk, 2006 ) . An enlargement program for the trail system calls for 2,000 stat mis of trails with appropriate installations and an Off-Highway Vehicle Park located in Kanawha County ( CBER 2006 ) . Local communities are seeking to sustainably develop the country to supply services for Hatfield-McCoy visitants. Analyzing tourer penchants will let these communities to be after successfully for these inherently specialised recreationists.

2.2 Diversion Positions

In specifying assortments of diversion visitants perchance will happen more coveted than others, it is of import to acknowledge the demands and expectancies the participants have of the experience. Goodale and Godbey ( 1988 ) suggested the undermentioned eight variables that may be involved in finding a type of diversion: self-improvement, pleasance, socialisation, designation, creativeness, recovery, ingestion, and religious.

Understanding societal diverseness, or comparative distribution of the interrelatedness or independency of involvements, is necessary in obtaining an apprehension of the recreationist ( Carpenter, 1985 ) . An person or household ‘s civilization, income, societal position, age, gender functions, and/or employment position can all have effects on diversion penchant ( Hanson and Hanson, 1981 ) . As recreationists age, their necessities and picks change ( Carpenter, 1985 ) . As identified by Goodale and Godbey ( 1988 ) , “ They sometimes center much of their lives and individualities around their athleticss or avocations ” ( p. 234 ) .

Opportunity may hold been an extra influential facet in diversion determination doing excessively. Harmonizing to Hendee ( 1969 ) , chance theory expresses the thought that recreationists partake in whatever experiences are easy gettable. Goodale and Godbey ( 1988 ) moreover thought clip and travel distance were important variables, every bit good as travel costs. Travel costs can be comprehended otherwise including car costs, chance cost during travel, or a per stat mi fee ( Hagerty and Moeltner, 2005 ) . The National Park Service endorses a developed touristry experience by deliberation of the followers: adjustments, entree roads, trails to remote locations, and trails for general diversion ( Shivers, 1967 ) .

One other influential factor in choosing diversion is the awaited experience to be acquired. There is a necessity for a individual to prosecute a brief ultimate experience. Clearly stated by Andrews and Nowak ( 1980, p. 286 ) … “ I do non believe there is anybody here that does non acquire a sort of animal jar out of traveling over a small bump at 60 stat mis an hr because your whole organic structure responds and you feel a small spot different than you did when you started. ” A individual illustration of this apprehension is the usage of OHVs on peculiar trail systems with assorted skill degree evaluations. This type of experience is regarded as utmost athleticss, a diversion that delivers a going from rudimentss and meets with endurance and sometimes danger ( Andrews and Nowak, 1980 ) .

2.3 Specialization

The construct of specialisation is used by diversion research workers to depict the manner in which participants incorporate an activity into their life. Specialization is defined by Bryan ( 1977, as cited in Manning, 1999 ) as “ a continuum of behavior from the general to the peculiar, reflected by equipment and accomplishments used in the athletics and activity scene penchants ” . Manning ( 1999 ) besides states that specialisation can dwell of a figure of elements, such as experience degree, skill/ expertness, involvement/ committedness, and centrality to lifestyle. This survey looks at the visitant penchants of housing, trail installations, and information beginnings, every bit good as, frequence of engagement, old ages of engagement, and engagement at selected trails to assist find specialisation. Highly specialised participants will hold different ends, engagement wonts and disbursement degrees than less specialised participants. OHV diversion is a important portion of many participants ‘ life manner. It is believed that OHV siting offers chances for the participants to link with friends and household, cut down emphasis, and enjoy nature ( Baker, 2007 ) . This survey will assist diversion directors and enterprisers understand the OHV touristry market.

2.4 Economic Positions

In output to the usage of recreational services to economic analysis there is problem in specifying the sum utilised and the importance of its presence ( Miles and Seabrooke, 1977 ) . In the likeliness that a tourer stay overnight, the immediate communities may perchance be affected straight through disbursement at eating houses, housing, and retail mercantile establishments. Suppose a tourer enjoys his or her clip recreating, by word of oral cavity a new visitant may possible be enticed and in return may add extra external money into the local economic system. In regard to cost-benefit relation, recreationists will pay for the installations needed to suit them for the continuance of their visit, hence bring forthing a positive net benefit for the local and environing communities ( Liu, 2006 ) .

3.1 Plans to Visit the HMTS within the Following 12 Calendar months

3.2 Preferable Information Source ( Mean Score for penchant on a 7 point graduated table )

3.3 Lodging Preference by Percentage

3.4 Hours Traveled

3.5 Self-Reported Level of Experience

3.6 Self Report Spending Measures

Nitrogen

Minimum

Maximum

Mean

Approximately how much do you pass on an mean trip to Hatfield-McCoy Trails?

106

.00

3000.00

456.1887

Approximately how many times per twelvemonth do you utilize your OHV?

104

.00

365.00

77.2692

Valid N ( listwise )

90

5.0 Citations

Andrews, R.N.L. , and Nowak, P.F. ( 1980 ) . Off-Road Vehicle Use: A Management Challenge. Michigan: University of Michigan.

Baker, J. L. ( 2007 ) . Motivations, Resource Attribute Preferences, and Features of Off-Highway Vehicle Riders in New York State. State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, New York.

Carpenter, G.M. and Howe, C.Z. ( 1985 ) . Programing Leisure Experiences: A Cyclic Approach. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Cordell, H. K. , Betz, C. J. , Green, G. , & A ; Owens, M. ( 2008 ) . Off-highway diversion in the United States, Regions and States: A national study from the National Survey on Recreation and the Environment ( NSRE ) . USDA Forest Service, Southern Experimental Station.

Center For Business and Economic Research- Marshall University ( 2006 ) The Economic Impact of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System in West Virginia – The Hatfield~ McCoy Regional Recreation Authority

Goodale, T.L. , and Godbey, G. ( 1988 ) . The Development of Leisure: Historical and Philosophic Positions. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.

Hagerty, D. and Moeltner, K. ( 2005 ) . Specification of Driving Costss in Models of Recreation Demand. Land Economics, v81, no. 1. Wisconsin Press.

Hammit, W.R. & A ; Cole, D.N. ( 1998 ) . Wildland diversion: ecology and direction. New York: John Wiley and Sons

Hanson, S. and Hanson, P. ( 1981 ) . The Travel-Activity Patterns of Urban Residents: Dimensions and Relationships to Sociodemographic Characteristics. Economic Geography, v57, no.4. Clark University.

Hendee, J.C. ( 1969 ) . Rural Urban Differences Reflected in Outdoor Recreation Participation. Rural Sociological Society.

Liu, T.V. ( 2006 ) . Tourism Management: New Research. New York, N.Y. : Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Lusk, J. “ Fiscal Plan for Future Growth and Development of the Hatfield~McCoy Trail System, ” ( July, 2006 ) , Hatfield~McCoy Regional Recreation Authority.

Manning, R.E. ( 1999 ) . Studies in out-of-door diversion: Search and research for satisfaction. Corvallis, OR: Beaver state State University Press.

Miles, C.W.N. , and Seabrooke, W. ( 1977 ) . Recreational Land Management. London: Tocopherol and FN Spoon Limited.

Outdoor Industry Foundation. ( 2006 ) . Outdoor Recreation Participation Study. Eighth edition for twelvemonth 2005. Outdoor Industry Foundation, Boulder, CO. Referenced online from

/http: //www.outdoorindustry.org/images/researchfiles/ParticipationStudy2006.pdf? 27S.

Trembles, J.S. ( 1967 ) . Principles and Practices of Recreational Service. New York, N.Y. : The Macmillan Company.

Silberman, J. & A ; Andereck, K. L, ( 2006 ) . The Economic Value of Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation. Journal of Leisure Research ; Second Quarter 2006 ; 38, 2 ; ABI/INFORM Global pg. 208.

Forte Vehicle Institute of America. ( 2006 ) . Forte Vehicle Institute of America: Particular study 2006 ( ATV statistics ) . Irvine, CA: Forte Vehicle Institute of America. Retrieved November 8, 2006 from /http: //www.atvsafety.org/sviapressreleases/SVIA_A2_Final_Low.pdfS.