Recreation Economics

New research takes a retrospective look at the influence of the monument designation on outdoor recreation and its related industries in San Juan County, Utah. Using geotagged photos from social media sites, and county-level economic indicators, analysis ...

A report from IORT synthesizes research about establishing long-distance bicycle routes as a guide to the economic benefits that come from bicycle tourism, and offers suggestions for best practices for developing cycling routes that support bicycle touris...

When was the last time you noticed Andromeda or Canis Major hovering above your head? Around 99 percent of people who live in developed nations live under light-polluted night skies. Light pollution is obtrusive artificial light, and too much of it has co...

"Agritourism is not without its risks. One potential challenge in starting an agritourism business, and successfully managing it, is the issue of liability. An agritourism owner or operator is liable and legally responsible for the safety and well-being o...

An estimate of the economic benefits of registered snowmobile use in Utah.

A multi-state project designed to provide information and resources to assist ag-operators in agritourism development. We developed seven fact sheets and checklists based on a review and assessment of existing web-based resources and input from farmers an...

Agritourism development may not be an economic panacea for all ag-operators, it can be a vital strategy for diversifying and boosting profits, especially for smaller farms and ranches. Such efforts not only contribute to enabling ag-operators to diversify...

An exploration into the identity, motivations, and values of heritage businesses with a relationship to the Bear River Heritage Area.

A mail survey designed to obtain information about off-highway vehicle users' demographics, experiences (both broadly and locally), motivations, management preferences, economic preferences, and trip characteristics.

Research indicates that national monument designation may not deserve the label of economic boondoggle with which it’s been stamped … national monuments in the Mountain West region actually have had a net positive effect on local economies, according to w...

How do resource-based occupational identities affect attitudes toward tourism development?

An analysis of rural leaders’ perceptions of the tourism industry in San Juan County, Utah.

A statewide telephone survey regarding State Park visitation and satisfaction, park protection, funding for park improvements, and the acquisition and sale of State Park lands.

The Six County Association of Governments (SCAOG) requested support for their response to the socioeconomic impact analysis in the BLM Richfield Field Office proposed Resource Management Plan. This study reviews and recommneds specific impact areas that t...

Strategies used by rural communities to successfully cope with concerns related to rapid growth or stagnation and decline. We looked at what communities have done to make recreation and tourism compatible with other economic activities, and what tactics t...

A survey assessing the Utah tourism industry’s perceptions and attitudes towards hospitality and customer service training. Results suggest survey respondents are highly aware of the economic benefits of tourism and the importance of better hospitality an...

A detailed analysis of the economic impact of snowmobiling on Utah’s economy. The analysis is based upon data collected through a mail survey administered to a representative sample of households with a snowmobile registered for use within the state. The ...

Landowners may fear being sued or held liable in a court of law for injuries sustained by people recreating on their land. This report provides a review of statutes are in place for the explicit purpose of protecting private landowners’ interests if they ...

An assessment of visitors to the 2001 Great Salt Lake Bird Festival.