{"id":230,"date":"2006-03-06T16:57:51","date_gmt":"2006-03-06T22:57:51","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2015-03-27T11:36:14","modified_gmt":"2015-03-27T16:36:14","slug":"the-future-of-leisure-recreation-and-sport-in-canada-a-swot-for-small-sized-enterprises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesportjournal.org\/article\/the-future-of-leisure-recreation-and-sport-in-canada-a-swot-for-small-sized-enterprises\/","title":{"rendered":"The Future of Leisure, Recreation and Sport in Canada: A SWOT for Small Sized Enterprises"},"content":{"rendered":"
Submitted by: George Karlis, Ph.D.<\/div>\n

Introduction<\/p>\n

The leisure, recreation and sport industries in Canada, as has been the
\ncase in most nations throughout the world, have been subject to globalization
\nand corporate influence. In recent years, the number of small sized leisure,
\nrecreation and sport enterprises (i.e., family or individually owned sport
\nstores or health clubs) have drastically been reduced as large corporations
\nsuch as Play It Again Sports and Goodlife Fitness have cornered the Canadian
\nMarket from coast to coast.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Although globalization and corporate influence may present some ease
\nto consumers, in the sense that standardization exists and there are no
\nsurprises in respect to what you expect to purchase and what you actually
\nreceive, the \u201cquality of services\u201d is subject to question.
\nWhen personal services such as leisure, recreation and sports become subject
\nto big corporations, focus on the individual consumer may become lost
\nin the shuffle as individual needs are often overlooked.<\/p>\n

Despite recent globalization and corporate trends in Canada, the desire
\nto establish small enterprises continues to exist, particularly among
\nthe young and immigrant populations. In 2000, David Foot reported that
\nthe \u201cmillennium busters\u201d are the largest cohort after baby
\nboomers in Canada, meaning that this population will enter the work force
\nin the next 10-15 years. Moreover, Statistics Canada reported in 2003
\nthat immigration to Canada is the highest it has been in 70 years. What
\ndoes this growth in the number of young Canadians and immigrants mean
\nfor the future of small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises
\nin Canada? Historically, many of Canada\u2019s small enterprises have
\nbeen owned and operated by young Canadians and immigrants. If this continues
\nto be the case in the future, what will be the strengths, weaknesses,
\nopportunities and threats for the existence of such enterprises?<\/p>\n

The purpose of this study is to present the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
\nand threats for the future for small sized leisure, recreation and sports
\nenterprises in Canada. To fulfill this purpose, this paper is divided
\ninto three parts: (1) social trends in Canada, (2) small sized leisure,
\nrecreation and sport enterprises in Canada, and (3) a SWOT for small sized
\nleisure, recreation and sport enterprises in Canada.<\/p>\n

Social Trends in Canada<\/p>\n

Recent trends in Canada indicate that: (1) Canada is an aging society
\nwith the largest cohort – baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1966) entering
\nsenior years, (2) Canadians are experiencing a good quality of life and
\nhave a sound health care system thus living longer as mortality rates
\nhave declined, (3) immigration has reached the highest level it has been
\nin the past 70 years (The Daily, 2003), (4) low fertility rates continue,
\n(5) a consistent growth of the young adult population is taking place,
\nand (6) the Canadian work force is aging (Chui, 1996).<\/p>\n

Education trends revealed by Statistics Canada (1996) indicate that the
\neducation level of Canadians is increasing as the number of Canadians
\nhaving completed university is greater than the number of Canadians with
\nless than grade 9 education. Moreover, more than 10% of Canadians have
\ngraduated a university (Statistics Canada, 1996).<\/p>\n

The early 2000s, as did the early 1990s, were difficult time periods
\nfor the Canadian economy as Canadians faced an economic recession. Cutbacks
\nin government social programs took place and unemployment rates were high.
\nHowever, despite less discretionary income Canadians continued to spend
\nmore on consumer goods and services. In the past decade for instance,
\nspending by Canadians on consumer goods and services jumped from $14,801
\nto $16,533. Yet, a portion of this spending was financed by credit as
\nthe volume of consumer debt continued to increase in the 1990s (Williams,
\n2000).<\/p>\n

Research by Crompton (2000) reveals that the general overall level of
\nhealth of Canadians is increasing with each generation. \u201cAdvances
\nin public health measures and sanitary control, pharmaceuticals and medical
\ntechnology in the 20th century have had a dramatic effect on the overall
\nlevel of health in Canada\u201d (Crompton, 2000: 17). In fact, the World
\nHealth Organization forecasts that the average lifespan of Canadians will
\nincrease to 81 years of age by the year 2025.<\/p>\n

Urbanization has continued to increase in Canada as fewer people are
\nliving in rural areas. Of note however, a recent trend in living patterns
\nshows that some Canadians have moved back to smaller cities and towns
\nin order to experience country living (Foot and Stoffman, 1998).<\/p>\n

The number of young adults living at home is increasing (Boyd and Norris,
\n1999) as is the number of young people choosing to get married later in
\nlife. Statistics Canada (1992) reveals that the average age of first marriage
\nfor men is 29 whereas for women it is 27. Furthermore, the number of common-law
\nunions, divorces, remarriages and Canadians living alone has also increased
\n(Oderkirk, 2000: Clark, 2002).<\/p>\n

The structure and nature of the work force in Canada has also changed
\ntremendously in the past 30 years both in size and structure as the number
\nof self-employed Canadians has increased. Technology has also impacted
\nchanges in the work force as computers have taken the place of skilled
\nworkers. Moreover, knowledge and skill to use the computer and the internet
\nhave become a necessity in most jobs (Dickenson and Ellison, 1999).<\/p>\n

Canadians appear to be working more hours and spending less time on leisure
\nand recreation (DeMont, 1999) as changes in the service sector continue
\nto take place. A growing trend in Canada that has occurred in the commercial
\nand public sectors is amalgamation. Another trend has been for two or
\nmore service sectors to work together to provide a service or services.
\nA third prevalent trend is \u201ccontracting out\u201d as many government
\norganizations have contracted out sites and services to the commercial
\nsector.<\/p>\n

Small Sized Leisure, Recreation and Sport Enterprises
\nin Canada<\/p>\n

In Canada, thousands of small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises
\nexist making it virtually impossible to list all. Furthermore, it would
\nbe difficult to also provide an all-inclusive classification of all small
\nsized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises in Canada as the scope
\nof these enterprises is diverse and complex.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, research by Bullaro and Edginton (1986) attempts to provide
\nan all-inclusive classification system of enterprises that exist in the
\nleisure, recreation and sport industries. For Bullaro and Edginton (1986),
\nfive classifications of leisure, recreation and sport enterprises exist.
\nThese are: (1) travel and tourism, (2) entertainment services, (3) leisure
\nservices in the natural environment, (4) hospitality\/food services, and
\n(5) retail activities.<\/p>\n

Travel and tourism enterprises refer to everything from tour operators
\nand animation to \u201csport tourism events.\u201d Entertainment services
\nencompass the performing arts, theatre, and sports events such as baseball
\nand football games at all levels. Leisure services in the natural environment
\nrefer to activities such as sport fishing, sailing and hiking. Hospitality\/food
\nservices is a classification that is used to refer to hotels, restaurants,
\ncamp sites and the \u201ccottage experience.\u201d Whereas, retail services
\nrefers to commercial, privately operated enterprises such as health clubs,
\ngolf clubs and sport fitness and equipment shops.<\/p>\n

Research by McIntosh and Goeldner (1984) provides a different classification
\nof leisure, recreation and sport enterprises. For McIntosh and Goeldner
\n(1984) four classifications of leisure, recreation and sport enterprises
\nexist. These four areas are (1) transportation, (2) accommodations, (3)
\nshopping, and (4) activities. Transportation is the term used to refer
\nto all tourist oriented services that are movement-driven such as airlines
\nand trains, buses and automobile. \u201cAccomodations\u201d is a related
\nterm to the aforementioned that concentrates once again on tourism services,
\nparticularly those of hospitality, i.e., hotels, lodging, resorts, etc.
\nThe third classification, shopping, refers to the sales industry of leisure,
\nrecreation and sport \u2013 everything from gymnasiums and fitness centers
\nto fitness shops. Finally, \u201cactivities\u201d reflects the actual
\nservices provided by leisure, recreation and sport industries, i.e., bowling,
\nsquash or weightlifting.<\/p>\n

While reflecting on the research of Bollaro and Edginton (1984) and McIntosh
\nand Goeldner (1984), the following four classifications of small sized
\nleisure, recreation and sport enterprises have been put together. It is
\nimportant to note that these classifications have been put together in
\nattempt to categorize the broad magnitude of small sized enterprises,
\nmeaning those that consist of less than fifty employees with an \u201cowner-in-shop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tourism:
\nSmall sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises that fall under
\nthe \u201ctourism\u201d category are \u201ctravel-oriented\u201d services
\nthat are owned and operated by families or individuals and that consist
\nof less than fifty paid employees. These services refer to everything
\nfrom family operated inns and bed and breakfasts to \u201cmini-van\u201d
\nexcursions and the operation of touristic souvenir shops. The focus of
\n\u201ctourism\u201d small sized enterprises is on providing a service
\nthat caters to visitors, that is those who travel more than 100km from
\ntheir place of origin.<\/p>\n

Outdoors:
\nThe \u201coutdoor\u201d category engulfs all leisure, recreation and
\nsport activities that one experiences in the natural environment. The
\n\u201coutdoor\u201d small sized enterprises include the operation of
\nfamily-owned \u201cmini-golf\u201d parks, private hiking tours, and
\nbird-watching excursions. The focus of the \u201coutdoor\u201d classification
\nis on the provision of services that tend to be provided one-on-one or
\nto small groups of people with the ultimate intent of financial profit.<\/p>\n

Entertainment:
\nEntertainment is a classification used to describe the \u201cstaging
\nof a show, activity or performance.\u201d Although we tend to identify
\n\u201centertainment\u201d in large scales (i.e., internet, mega stadiums
\nholding professional sport events, national arts centres, etc.), \u201centertainment\u201d
\nexperiences also take place on a much smaller scale. For example, small
\nsized entertainment industries include party clowns, street musicians,
\nartists, and musical bands operated by a group of friends.<\/p>\n

Facilities and Equipment:
\nThe \u201cfacilities and equipment\u201d classification is broad and
\ndiverse offering many different avenues for the existence of small sized
\nleisure, recreation and sport enterprises. Some examples of small sized
\n\u201cfacilities and equipment\u201d services include the following:
\n(1) bicycle repair shops, (2) piano lessons at the private residence of
\nthe instructor, (3) individually owned fitness clubs, (4) privately owned
\npool halls, and (5) family owned \u201csports bars-restaurants\u201d.<\/p>\n

A SWOT for Small Sized Leisure, Recreation and Sport Enterprises
\nin Canada<\/p>\n

Current social trends in Canada are used to predict what may unfold in
\nthe future in Canada. Through an examination of current social trends
\nand an overview of demographic shifts a prediction of the strengths, weaknesses,
\nopportunities and threats that face the existence of small sized leisure,
\nrecreation and sport enterprises in Canada for the future (up to 2020)
\nis put forth.<\/p>\n

Strengths:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. People will continue to desire personal service, particularly as
    \nmore and more people are choosing to live alone.
    \nThe need to be served coupled by the need to experience \u201csocial
    \nactivities\u201d will provide an avenue for growth in small sized leisure,
    \nrecreation and sport organizations. We have an innate need to be with
    \nothers, and the social nature of leisure, recreation and sport experiences
    \nhelps us fulfill our social needs.<\/li>\n
  2. The coming of work age of the \u201cmillennium busters\u201d will
    \nonce again crowd the work force enticing the expansion of small sized
    \nenterprises.
    \nThe \u201cbaby boomers\u201d are now aging and have started to exit
    \nthe work force. The \u201cbust\u201d and \u201cecho\u201d age cohorts
    \nsimply do not have the numbers of the \u201cbaby boomers\u201d and
    \nthus less people enter the work force. The \u201cmillennium busters\u201d,
    \n(1996-2010), although not expected to be quite as large as the \u201cbaby
    \nboomers\u201d, will be the first generation since the \u201cbaby boomers\u201d
    \nto congest the work force. More people will mean new opportunities for
    \nsmall sized leisure, recreation and sport services.<\/li>\n
  3. The need to live in the suburbs will lead to the creation of small
    \nsized enterprises.
    \nThe expansion of suburban communities is a growing phenomenon in Canada
    \nas people are choosing to live outside of the urban centre. New communities
    \nmean that new opportunities for growth and development will exist. The
    \ndevelopment of small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises
    \nhas tremendous potential as new communities emerge.<\/li>\n
  4. The growth of immigration will enhance the number of small sized
    \nenterprises as \u201cnew Canadians\u201d have always pursued the entrepreneurial
    \ndream.
    \nImmigration in Canada is currently the highest it has been in the past
    \n70 years. A large number of these immigrants are young and have aspiring
    \nentrepreneurial dreams and innovative ideas that may lead to the creation
    \nof new small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises.<\/li>\n
  5. The fact that society is more \u201ctechnological\u201d will aid
    \nin the provision of small sized enterprises. One of the strengths for
    \nexpansion of small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises in
    \nCanada stems from our exposure to novel ideas through the internet.
    \nToday\u2019s young are technological progressed and have managed to
    \nshrink the world by learning more about the international community
    \nthrough the internet. It is possible that many of these young Canadians
    \nwill bring international experiences acquired through the internet into
    \nthe Canadian business world through the establishment of small sized
    \nleisure, recreation and sport enterprises.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Weaknesses:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. The expansion of large corporations and \u201cmega-stores\u201d
      \nwill make it difficult for small enterprises to survive.
      \nA number of chain businesses continue to crowd the Canadian market.
      \nFor example, \u201cGoodlife Fitness\u201d, a Canadian based franchise,
      \nhas opened a number of health clubs in just about every region in Canada.
      \nThe incentive for membership is that you can participate in any of there
      \ngyms throughout Canada. In addition, its mega structure and diverse
      \nscope of facilities make it difficult for small sized health clubs to
      \ncompete.<\/li>\n
    2. Lack of skill, knowledge and experience by young entrepreneurs may
      \nlead to the closing of small sized enterprises.
      \nMany who start small sized leisure, recreation or sport enterprises
      \noften lack skill, knowledge and experience in the business world. Although
      \nthey may be experts in the nature of the leisure, recreation or sport
      \nservice that they offer, the lack of \u201creal\u201d business experience
      \nmay lead to the demise of their small sized enterprise.<\/li>\n
    3. Cutbacks in government social programs may lead to reduced public
      \nsector support (i.e., grants) for the expansion of small sized enterprises.Since the 1980s a number of publicly subsidized social programs have
      \nbeen reduced or eliminated in Canada. Many of these programs aided the
      \ndevelopment of small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises
      \nin Canada. It is unlikely that social programs eliminated or reduced
      \nin Canada will once again be re-established by 2020.<\/li>\n
    4. The fact that the more senior sector of society may lack computer
      \nskills may limit the magnitude of the type of small sized enterprises
      \ncreated by the younger sector of society.
      \nIt is highly probable that the computer literate young population of
      \nsociety will be hindered in its technological innovation of small sized
      \nleisure, recreation and sport enterprises as a growing concern exists
      \nto cater the needs of aging \u201cbaby boomers\u201d (many whom are
      \nnot computer literate). The growth of small sized leisure, recreation
      \nand sport enterprises may thus be restricted to a more basic nature
      \nrather than an innovative one requiring the use of computer skills.<\/li>\n
    5. The diversity of experiences and services offered by large corporations
      \nwill entice society, particularly the \u201chaves\u201d to experience
      \nthe services of larger enterprises.
      \nIt usually is the case that organizations that have the capital tend
      \nto also have the most up-to-date facilities, services and equipment.
      \nThe largest cohort of society, the \u201cbaby boomers\u201d is not
      \nonly aging, they are also aging with more discretionary income and in
      \nbetter health condition than previous generations. As a result, the
      \nexperiences and services of larger pricy corporations may be the preferred
      \nchoice of \u201cbaby boomers\u201d when it comes time to fulfill leisure,
      \nrecreation and sport needs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Opportunities:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. The trend of \u201ccontracting out\u201d by the public sector will
        \npresent some opportunities to small sized enterprises.
        \nAlthough this may not be the case for larger more lucrative enterprises
        \nsuch as ski resorts or golf clubs, it may be the case with smaller leisure,
        \nrecreation and sport enterprises such as wave pools and tennis clubs.
        \nAs government organizations continue to strive to balance deficits,
        \ncontracting out opportunities will likely continue to expand.<\/li>\n
      2. The fact that more and more Canadians are becoming higher educated
        \nwill aid in the creation of new, innovative small sized enterprises.The number of Canadians who have graduated a university continues to
        \ngrowth. Canada as a nation is now more educated than ever before. This
        \nexpanded knowledge-base will lead to the creation of innovative ideas
        \nand opportunities for small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises.<\/li>\n
      3. Cutbacks in government social programs will open a window of opportunities
        \nfor the creation of new small sized enterprises.
        \nThe elimination or reduction of publicly operated leisure, recreation
        \nand sport services will lead to opportunities for the development of
        \nsuch services, particularly in the private sector. The creation of small
        \nsized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises that cater to the leisure,
        \nrecreation or sport needs of society that were once fulfilled through
        \npublic sector programs, poses an opportunity for growth.<\/li>\n
      4. The \u201cdesire to spend, be entertained and experience something
        \nnew\u201d will pose new opportunities for small sized enterprises.Mass media bombards us with new ideas, new experiences and new knowledge.
        \nIn addition, a global emphasis has been placed on the pursuit of the
        \n\u201cgood life\u201d and \u201cspending to experience,\u201d particularly
        \nwhen it comes to leisure, recreation and sport. A new opportunity is
        \nthus presented to the private sector for the creation of innovative
        \nsmall sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises.<\/li>\n
      5. \u201cDownsizing and amalgamation\u201d will cause loss of public
        \nsector jobs and will lead individuals toward creating small sized enterprises.The amalgamation experience of cities and towns of the late 1990s and
        \nearly 2000s has led to job loss and unemployment. Many individuals who
        \nhave lost jobs possess a wealth of experience in the leisure, recreation
        \nand sport industries. This wealth of experience has in some cases been
        \nput to practice through the creation of small sized leisure, recreation
        \nand sport enterprises. In the future, the limited number of public sector
        \nemployment opportunities in leisure, recreation and sport will lead
        \nsome of those trained in these areas to the establishment of small sized
        \nleisure, recreation and sport enterprises.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Threats:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Inflation and rising costs may limit the spending power of society
          \nand the potential to experience private sector small sized leisure,
          \nrecreation and sport enterprises.
          \nWhen prices go up one of the first industries to suffer is leisure,
          \nrecreation and sport. When a purchasing choice has to be made, the necessities
          \nof food, water, shelter and transportation take precedence over leisure,
          \nrecreation and sport. As prices for leisure, recreation and sport services
          \ncontinue to increase so does the threat to the expansion of this industry,
          \nincluding small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises.<\/li>\n
        2. The lack of discretionary income may limit the amount allotted to
          \nspending on small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises.
          \nThe spending power of society determines to what extent we participate
          \nin leisure, recreation and sport services. Although Canadians do value
          \nleisure, recreation and sport, the fear to overextend and spend beyond
          \nones means may limit involvement in this industry. Unless more disposable
          \nincome becomes available to Canadians, a threat will continue to exist
          \nfor the expansion of small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises
          \nas the Canadian public will be more restrictive in its spending patterns.<\/li>\n
        3. Since the 1970s, the start of each decade has experienced an economic
          \nrecession.
          \nThis trend may threaten parts of the next 20 years, possibly, the onset
          \nof the 2010s and the 2020s. The mere fact that the economy is unstable
          \nwill without doubt impact the state of condition of society as a whole,
          \nand the distribution of monies in all industries, including leisure,
          \nrecreation and sport.<\/li>\n
        4. The ongoing threat of terrorism has hindered the growth and existence
          \nof many small sized tourism enterprises.
          \nSince September 11, 2001, the threat of terrorist attacks has grown.
          \nIndustries such as tourism have largely been impacted by this threat
          \nas people have become reluctant to travel. As a result, leisure, recreation
          \nand sport services related to tourism have suffered and likely will
          \ncontinue to suffer. This is the case not only for large enterprises
          \nbut for small sized ones as well.<\/li>\n
        5. The fear that Quebec may one day separate from Canada continues to
          \nexist, meaning that growth in small sized enterprises may be limited.Those wishing to establishing small sized leisure, recreation and sport
          \nenterprises may be reluctant to do so when hearing than one of the provinces
          \nof the nation may decide to one day separate. In the case of Quebec,
          \nsome aspiring young entrepreneurs in or around Quebec may be reluctant
          \nto establish small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises due
          \nto fear of what may happen if Quebec indeed separates.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Conclusion<\/p>\n

          Although it is difficult to predict the future of the existence and
          \ndevelopment of small sized leisure, recreation and sport enterprises in
          \nCanada, this paper presents the possible strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
          \nand threats that this area of the service sector may face based on current
          \nsocial and demographic trends. Based on what is currently happening in
          \nCanada, socially and demographically, it may be that the future will unfold
          \nan expansion, at least to some degree in small sized leisure, recreation
          \nand sport industries, particularly as the number of young, better educated
          \nCanadians expands. However, one of the biggest weaknesses and threats
          \nwill continue to be instability in the economy. Lack of money and the
          \ndistribution of capital may hinder the development of small sized leisure,
          \nrecreation and sport enterprises in Canada.<\/p>\n

          References<\/p>\n

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          Bullaro, J., and Edginton, C. (1986). Commercial Leisure Services. New
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          Chui, T. (1996). Canada\u2019s population: Charting into the 21st century.
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          Foot, D. (2000). Boom, Bust and Echo. Toronto: Macfarlane, Walter and
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          Foot, D.K., and Stoffman, D. (1998). Boom, Bust and Echo: Profiting From
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          McIntosh, R., and Goeldner, C. (1984). Tourism: Principles, Practices,
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          Oderkirk, J. (2000). Marriage in Canada: Changing beliefs and behaviours
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          Statistics Canada (2003). Census of Population: Immigration, Birthplace
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          Statistics Canada. (1996). Census of Canada. Catalogue number 93-328
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          Williams, C. (2000). Income and expenditure. Canadian Social Trends.
          \nWinter, 7-12, Statistics Canada-Catalogue No. 11-008.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Submitted by: George Karlis, Ph.D.<\/div>\n

          Introduction<\/p>\n

          The leisure, recreation and sport industries in Canada, as has been the
          \n case in most nations throughout the world, have been subject to globalization
          \n and corporate influence. In recent years, the number of small sized leisure,
          \n recreation and sport enterprises (i.e., family or individually owned sport
          \n stores or health clubs) have drastically been reduced as large corporations
          \n such as Play It Again Sports and Goodlife Fitness have cornered the Canadian
          \n Market from coast to coast.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[290,291],"tags":[8,70,72,31],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4btio-3I","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7077,"url":"https:\/\/thesportjournal.org\/article\/conceptualizing-sport-volunteer-tourism-setting-a-direction-for-future-research\/","url_meta":{"origin":230,"position":0},"title":"Conceptualizing Sport Volunteer Tourism: Setting a Direction for Future Research","date":"June 5, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Authors: George Karlis, Aida Stratas, Wahid Hamidi, and Ioanna Maria Kantartzi Corresponding Author:George Karlis, Ph.D.25 University StreetOttawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5gkarlis@uottawa.ca613-562-5800 ext. 2452 George Karlis is a Full Professor in the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa, Canada. His area of research focuses primarily on leisure and society.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":334,"url":"https:\/\/thesportjournal.org\/article\/sports-tourism-in-cyprus-a-study-of-international-visitors\/","url_meta":{"origin":230,"position":1},"title":"Sports Tourism in Cyprus: A Study of International Visitors","date":"January 8, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Submitted by: Nicos L. Kartakoullis, Stavros Pouloukas and Christina Loizou - University of Nicosia, George Karlis - University of Ottawa and Thanos Kriemadis - University of the Peloponnese Abstract A decline in the number of tourists visiting Cyprus from 2000 to 2007 prompted the Cyprus Tourism Organization to examine sports\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Contemporary Sports Issues"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8070,"url":"https:\/\/thesportjournal.org\/article\/campus-recreation-sport-club-participants-exploring-subjective-wellbeing\/","url_meta":{"origin":230,"position":2},"title":"Campus recreation sport club participants: Exploring subjective wellbeing","date":"November 19, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Authors: Laura M. Morris1, Jason Foster2, Cara L. Sidman3, and Alyssa Henyecz1 1School of Health & Applied Human Sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA2Former School of Health & Applied Human Sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, USA3College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Research"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":208,"url":"https:\/\/thesportjournal.org\/article\/outdoor-recreation-participation-an-application-of-the-theory-of-planned-behavior\/","url_meta":{"origin":230,"position":3},"title":"Outdoor Recreation Participation: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior","date":"June 7, 2005","format":false,"excerpt":"Submitted by: CH. Kouthouris & A. Spontis Summary Behavioral factors were investigated in a real outdoor setting, in order to explain one's intention and actual behavior of participating in outdoor recreational programs. This paper used an extended model of the Theory of Planned Behavior, with the addition of the self-identity\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Contemporary Sports Issues"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":24,"url":"https:\/\/thesportjournal.org\/article\/leisure-constraints-experienced-by-university-students-in-greece\/","url_meta":{"origin":230,"position":4},"title":"Leisure constraints experienced by university students in Greece","date":"January 7, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Submitted by: Amalia Drakou, George Tzetzis, and Kyriaki Mamantzi ABSTRACT The aim of this study was (a) to investigate students\u2019 leisure constraints; (b) to identify students\u2019 profiles; and (c) to explore the effects of gender, residence, participation in physical activities, and health habits on the intensity of constraints experienced. Using\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Contemporary Sports Issues"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":101,"url":"https:\/\/thesportjournal.org\/article\/a-review-of-economic-impact-studies-on-sporting-events\/","url_meta":{"origin":230,"position":5},"title":"A Review of Economic Impact Studies on Sporting Events","date":"February 14, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Submitted by: Soonhwan Lee Introduction Economic impact in sport events can be defined as the net change in an economy resulting from a sport event. The change is caused by activity involving the acquisition, operation, development, and use of sport facilities and services (Lieber & Alton, 1983). 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