Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Another trend is the emphasis on the multidimensional aspects of the snow resort experience.
Today, ski areas appeal to all on-snow participants whether they are downhill skiers, snowboarders,
telemarkers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, or tubers. Vail Resorts has created Adventure Ridge, which
is an example of this trend. This facility, located at the top of Vail Mountain, in Colorado, offers
snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating, laser tag, snowmobile tours, and four dining experiences until 10
P
.
M
.
every night.
Over the years, the U.S. ski industry has grown and evolved just like other industries. Consolida-
tions continue to take place, and ski resorts have developed into major destination resorts. Today,
two companies have emerged at the forefront to consolidate ski areas under corporate banners.
Large operations have become even larger. The big two are Vail Resorts,
Inc., and Intrawest
Corporation.
Ownership consolidation will lead to more innovative development and marketing. We will see
more emphasis on real estate with core village developments that feature shopping, attractions,
conference facilities, and other amenities that create a year-round destination resort. On the
marketing scene, we will see interchangeable lift tickets, frequent-skier programs, ski discount cards
good at multiple resorts, and increased promotion. Increased size presents the opportunity to use
media more effectively, especially television.
The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) is the trade association for ski area owners and
operators. It represents 329 alpine resorts that account for more than 90 percent of the skier/
snowboarder visits nationwide. Additionally, it has over 329 supplier members who provide equip-
ment, goods, and services to the mountain resort industry. For more information, visit
www.nsaa.org
.
Historic Sites
Historic sites have always been popular attractions for both domestic and international travelers. A
report on historic/cultural travelers shows that more than 81 percent of adults (118 million) who
traveled were considered historic/cultural travelers. Although travelers tend to engage in multiple
activities when they travel, 30 percent of the historic/cultural travelers said these activities were the
primary motive for the trip.
The National Park Service maintains an estimated 66,757 historic sites, as noted in the National
Register of Historic Places. Approximately 15 percent of these properties are historic districts, and
about 1,015,434 historic properties are located within the sites.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, and advocacy to
save America
s diverse historic places and revitalize communities. It owns and manages 29 historic
sites that are open to the public and attract over 800,000 visitors a year. Travel programs include
National Trust Study Tours, which plans, operates, and markets more than 50 domestic and
international tours a year to members, and the Historic Hotels of America program. The National
Trust is a nonpro
t organization chartered by Congress in 1949 and has over 270,000 members.
Located in Washington, D.C., it can be reached by telephone (800-315-6847) and via its Web site
(
www.preservationnation.org
).
'
Zoos, Rain Forests, and Aquariums
The menageries and aviaries of China, Egypt, and Rome were famous in ancient times. Today,
zoological parks
continue to be popular attractions. A recent development in the
United States has been the creation of indoor
and
aquariums
. Notable are the Lied Jungle in the Henry
Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska, and the RainForest within the Cleveland, Ohio, Metroparks Zoo. The
Lied Jungle is the world
rain forests
is largest indoor rain forest, with its $15 million cost
financed by the Lied
Foundation. It recreates rain forests as found in Asia, Africa, and South America. The rain forest
occupies 1.5 acres under one roof. It contains 2,000 species of tropical plants and 517 animal species,
'
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