Integrating Activity Patterns Into Destination Choice Models

Abstract

Traditional approaches to modeling individuals' destination selection process have focused attention on the relationship between physical and social characteristics of a place and the destination actually selected. Recent studies seem to suggest, however, that one's recreation participation pattern may be as or more important in determining the facilities at which this activity takes place. Data from a survey of visitors to Oklahoma state parks were used to investigate the importance of activity patterns and other more traditional variables on households' preferences among the respective parks. The results indicate that distance to the facility and participation in specific recreation activities determine to a large degree park selection. The results also seem to suggest that recreation activities generally exhibit a range of distances within which alternative facilities may be considered. The implications of these findings were examined and shown to be important for park planning and management.