Recreation and Leisure Studies

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/handle/10012/9898

This is the collection for the University of Waterloo's Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.

Research outputs are organized by type (eg. Master Thesis, Article, Conference Paper).

Waterloo faculty, students, and staff can contact us or visit the UWSpace guide to learn more about depositing their research.

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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

An Examination of Ghanaian Tourism Social Entrepreneurs in Progressing the Sustainable Development Goals
(University of Waterloo, 2020-10-26) Appah, Christina; Boluk, Karla
January 2015 commenced a compromising procedure by the General Assembly about the aftermath of the unachieved millennium development goals (MDGs), (UN, 2019). With less than ten years of action remaining, to ensure the achievement of these goals, there has been a call for action to mobilize funds, ensure national inclusion of the goals while strengthening and charging various stakeholders to achieve these goals by 2030 without leaving anyone behind (UN, 2019). Tourism, for the past decades has been known to provide quality jobs for ensuring economic and social growth, tackling poverty and ensuring environmental conservation (UNWTO, 2018). However, the negative impacts of tourism has made its positive contribution to the UNs SDGs difficult and raises a question as to whether tourism may indeed contribute to the SDGs (Boluk, 2019; Hall, 2019). Notably, social entrepreneurship and social entrepreneur were first identified in the literature on social change in the 1960s and 1970s but became much known in retort to the cumulative existing societal imbalances (Sheldon et al, 2017). “Social entrepreneurs have profound implications in the economic system: creating new industries, validating new business models, and allocating resources to neglected societal problems” (Santos, 2012, p. 335). This basic qualitative research is to understand in what ways tourism social entrepreneurs are progressing sustainable tourism and the sustainable development goals in Ghana. This article suggests that tourism through social entrepreneurship contributes immensely to sustainable tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals. This study found that tourism social entrepreneurs in Ghana, are engaged with the sustainable tourism along with the SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth, SDG4: Quality Education and SDG 5: Gender Equality. In their quest to ensure sustainability, social entrepreneurs in this study shed a light on the associated challenges with inadequate financial support serving as the most identifiable.
Examining Stakeholder Engagement Processes and The Shared Value Creation of Sustainability Partnership Program at Two Fairmont Hotels
(University of Waterloo, 2019-05-06) Skeete, Joseph; Boluk, Karla
Initially perceived as the individual philanthropic activities assumed by a businessperson or merely a useful marketing tool, CSR has undoubtedly become one of the primary focus areas of many business entities worldwide (Lee, Ham, & Koh, 2019). Evidently, businesses way of thinking has changed considerably since (Friedman, 1962, 1970) postulated that businesses only responsibility was to maximize their owners’ and shareholders’ wealth. Specifically, businesses have begun to recognize the importance of identifying stakeholder expectations and responding to such expectations (Font, Guix & Bonilla-Priego, 2016). Accordingly, in the tourism industry there have been growing pressures from external stakeholders to behave in a more sustainable way (Font et al., 2012). Comparatively, there has been growing interest in scholarship as well, as over 70% of all articles on the subject of CSR in tourism and hospitality have been published within the last five years (Font & Lynes, 2018). Simply, CSR has become more a matter of how than why (Smith, 2003). This basic qualitative study explores the processes by which the Sustainability Partnership Program creates value between Fairmont and the communities surrounding Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs. Particularly, external stakeholders (ie. government, NGOs, and suppliers) are the focus of this dissertation. This study found that Fairmont has been able to foster a shared sense of responsibility amongst employees and external stakeholders for planning and implementing impactful initiatives, leading to improved levels of efficiency in not only identifying community needs but also responding to them.
Exploring Participants’ Expectations and Experiences of Short-Term Language Programs
(University of Waterloo, 2018-01-22) McKnight, Ekaterina; Boluk, Karla
This study examines the concept of language learning as part of educational tourism with a particular emphasis on the participants enrolled in short-term English programs in Toronto. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore participants’ expectations prior to enrolling in a language program and their experiences throughout the program. Additionally, the researcher determines how their expectations were formulated, and what factors influenced their decision to participate in language programs. Despite the steady growth of the language school industry, it is surprising that so little research has been carried out into participants’ expectations and experiences. Furthermore, it is notable that only a few studies have explored non-native English students learning English as a second or foreign language abroad (albeit Eder et.al., 2010; Gertner, 2010; Miao & Harris, 2012; Foster, 2014). Regarding students’ expectations, some scholars have examined expectations but in regard to their academic achievements (Wilkinson, 1998; Badstübner & Ecke, 2009; Ketsman, 2012) not in relation to their experiences. Such studies were intended to explore the influence of students’ expectations on their academic performance before participating in language programs. This phenomenological study is grounded in a constructivist epistemology, within the interpretivist framework. 15 semi-structured interviews were carried out at three language schools in Toronto offering short-term English language programs in October and November 2016. Overall, this study fulfills a theoretical gap as limited studies have explored students’ expectations and their experiences while participating in short-term language programs. Furthermore, this study has the potential to benefit both language schools and students. Lastly, the research outcomes, emerged from this study, contribute to a better understanding of the language schools’ market.
Exploring Presentations of the Self: Tourist Identity and Representation on Facebook
(University of Waterloo, 2018-08-14) Cohen, Helen Sarah; Boluk, Karla
The aim of this study is to explore how tourists present and manage impressions of the self as tourist, on Facebook, while travelling. This study applies a qualitative content analysis to the tourism-related, user-generated content of individual Facebook pages with the aim of exploring mid-travel tourism identity representation on Facebook. A literature review uncovered a shortage of academic research on the mid-travel phase of tourism consumption, prompting the focus of this study. The study is framed through the lens of symbolic interactionism, the theoretical perspective guiding this research journey. Eight semi-structured interviews were carried out, and a constant comparative analysis was applied to generate three main themes, each with subsequent sub-themes. The results include a discussion on place and self representation, perpetuating popular destination images, situating the self as part of a collective, and social media engagement and reciprocity. Opportunities for future research in social media tourism are elucidated.
Exploring the Experiences and Perceptions of Community Ambassadors in the New World Community
(University of Waterloo, 2017-05-01) Devasher, Retnika; Boluk, Karla
Volunteering is a very dominant activity which is represented prominently by university students – a group which represents an important demographic for non-profit organizations and private enterprises. Participating in volunteer tourism acts as a prospect to develop relationships in accordance with volunteers and motivates consciousness-raising understandings (McGehee & Santos, 2005; Smith & Holmes, 2009). The promising growth of volunteers supporting tourism to develop a destination, engage with the local community and practise sustainability while traveling acts as a source of motivation to get involved in volunteering (Hustinx et al, 2012). Using New World Community – a Canadian social enterprise as a context, this thesis seeks to understand the experiences and perceptions of the community ambassadors during volunteering at various international communities. Reasons to participate with New World Community and to develop understanding of volunteering were drawn through 9 semi-structured interviews with repeat student volunteer travelers. This basic interpretive qualitative study revealed that the volunteers indulge in volunteering with predetermined goals such as making a difference in the community, experiencing varied cultures and showcasing kindness and care towards each other. This study also revealed from the lens of the community ambassadors that the community members showcased unconcealed actions of generosity and appreciation towards each other and the volunteers and they paid little attention to materialistic possessions. However, no acknowledgement was given to CV enhancement as a potential source of motivation to volunteer. The ability to function with a sustainable mindset in the communities was progressively carried out by the community ambassadors and the community members.
Exploring Tourism Inclusion: Perspectives of Older Adults in St. Jacobs
(University of Waterloo, 2024-10-01) Liang, Jianing; Boluk, Karla
The profit-driven and pro-growth tourism industry, driven by capitalist models, has long exploited resources from communities and caused inequities (Fletcher, 2011; Becken and Kaur, 2022). The COVID-19 pandemic’s interruption of tourism has not only revealed its vulnerability, but also created an opportunity for researchers to reconsider its problematic practices and advocate for a potential shift toward greater sustainability and resilience (Ma et al., 2020; Becken and Kaur, 2022; Bellato et al., 2022). One approach is regenerative tourism, which prioritizes the well-being of destination communities by leveraging tourism resources for regeneration (Pollock, 2019). Acknowledging the unique characteristics of each community, regenerative tourism promotes collaboration among all stakeholders to address diverse community needs inclusively (Becken and Kaur, 2022). Existing literature on regenerative tourism suffers from a notable gap in the limited attention given to the involvement of older adult residents as community stakeholders in tourism. The ways in which tourism can benefit older adult residents remains relatively unexplored (Chang et al., 2022). Therefore, this proposed research seeks to explore the tourism needs and participation of older adult residents in St. Jacobs Village, aiming to promote inclusive stakeholder engagement for a marginalized group. To achieve this, Arts-Based Research methods, focus group, and individual interview were employed to gain insights from older adult participants and facilitate the sharing of their experiences and perspectives on St. Jacobs Village’s active engagement in tourism.
Understanding The Lived Experiences of Local Residents in Muskoka, Ontario: A Case Study on Cottaging
(University of Waterloo, 2017-02-21) Gallant, Ashley; Boluk, Karla
Muskoka, Ontario, Canada has been recognized as an environment that is appealing for tourism visitation, but more specially cottaging, due to its attractive natural landscape and amenities that are “normally associated with larger cities, while maintaining the lifestyle of a small community” (The District Municipality of Muskoka, 2014). Specifically, for four months of the year, 83, 203 seasonal residents outnumber their 59, 220 permanent counterparts, cultivating a variety of opportunities and challenges in the destination. This particular study, aims to look at tourism in Muskoka in regard to its enhancement of social, economic, and political assets in the destination, and how cottaging impacts the local community from the viewpoint of the permanent resident. Current issues and tensions that exist in Muskoka are drawn upon through secondary data analysis of media articles, government documents, opinion pieces, and 16 semi-structured interviews with local residents during the peak summer season, being July and August, of 2016. Through the methodological lens of critical theory, identifying binaries (Jaakson ,1986), the representation of place and place attachment (MacCannell, 1973; Buckley, 2005; Harrison, 2014), rural tourism advantages and disadvantages (Smith, 1989; Frederick, 1993; Marcouillier, 1997; Mitchell, 2013) and the environmental protection of amenity rich destinations (Jaakson, 1986; Buckley, 2005; Lagerqvist, 2014) are examined and discussed. Results from this study express that varying tensions exist in the destination around land use values, poverty, and class conflicts. However, a contrasting view also exists that acknowledges the economic importance of hosting such tourism in Muskoka, as well as the social benefits and positive influence of cottaging for the wellness for both local and visiting populations.

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Browsing Recreation and Leisure Studies by Author "Boluk, Karla"