Attractions, Entertainment, Recreation, and Other Tourist Draws - Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies - page 186

After a hike to Hanging Lake, visitors are rewarded with not only the beauty of the site but also interpretive
information that greatly improves their understanding of the destination, thus enhancing the visitor
experience. PhotocourtesyofGlenwoodSpringsChamberResortAssociation,Colorado.

study found adventure travelers tend to be af uent and well-educated. They are also typically
environmentally and culturally aware consumers. 5
The NSGA is the world's largest sporting goods trade association, representing more than 22,000
retail outlets and 3,000 product manufacturers, suppliers, and sales agents. It is located at 1601
Feehanville Drive, Suite 300, Mount Prospect, IL 60056; telephone [phone]; fax (847) 391-
9827; e-mail [e-mail]; Web site: www.nsga.org .
Another source of outdoor recreation information is the American Recreation Coalition (ARC). It
conducts research on a regular basis, organizes national conferences, and disseminates information on
recreational needs, satisfaction, and initiatives. ARC monitors legislative proposals that in uence
recreation and works with government agencies. ARC is located at 1225 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite
450, Washington, D.C. 20005; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; Web site: www.
funoutdoors.com .

Winter Sports

Snow and winter sports tourism is an important component of the world tourism industry and is a key
element for a better quality of life in many countries. Of the modern winter sports activities, skiing/
snowboarding is by far the most popular. In the United States, almost 500 ski resorts were operating in
the 2010 2011 season. Skier/snowboarder visits are one of the key performance indicators (KPIs) in the

U.S. ski industry. On a nationwide basis, the number of visits has been relatively flat for the last decade,
hovering around 55

-

2010 season recorded 59.7 million visits, the second best
season ever. In spite of continued pressures from a weak economy and without the catalyst of an
exceptional snow year, skier/snowboarder visits this season increased by 4.2 percent, only 1.2 percent
below the all-time record of 60.5 million visits achieved in 2007-2008. A skier/snowboarder visit
represents one person visiting a ski area for all or any part of a day or night and includes full-day, half-
day, night, and complimentary, adult, child, season, and any other ticket types that give one the use of
an area

- 60 million. The 2009 -

s facility. Snowboarding has been the growth portion of the ski industry, representing more
than 30 percent of the total visits.

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