Abstract

Why do recreational carrying capacity standards change over time? When shared evaluative standards change at a recreational destination, what are the social processes that might lead people to evaluate “how many is too many” differently over time? This study examined how 24-year changes in personal, social, and experiential characteristics of boaters at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore were related to changes in their evaluation of encounters with other boaters. The results showed that boaters had become more tolerant of encounters over time. This normative change was associated with a changing profile of visitors with an increased percentage of older empty-nest boat owners, who were more skilled and experienced, and more committed to the Apostle Islands boating experience. These visitors were part of a developing boater community and were less worried about “crowds” and more interested in the social presence of other boaters as part of their recreational experience.

摘要

为什么娱乐承载能力标准会随着时间而变化？当娱乐目的地的共享评估标准发生变化时，哪些社会过程可能导致人们随着时间的推移以不同的方式评估“多少就是太多”？本研究调查了使徒群岛国家湖岸区划船者 24 年来个人、社会和体验特征的变化与他们对与其他划船者相遇的评估变化之间的关系。结果表明，随着时间的推移，划船者对遭遇变得更加宽容。这种规范性变化与游客形象的变化有关，年龄较大的空巢船主比例增加，他们更有技能和经验，并且更致力于 Apostle Islands 划船体验。