An activity typology for outdoor recreation in the Mogollon Rim area

Abstract

Determining the demand for natural resource recreation requires unique research and land use management methods. Effective recreation demand analyses must account for users' unfulfilled activity preferences. The purpose of this study is to quantify the relationship between recreators' activity preferences and their measurable socioeconomic characteristics. Using factor analysis, an activity preference typology was developed for recreation visitors to the Mogollon Rim area. This typology was related to visitor characteristics by multiple regression analysis. Activity preference patterns and constraints on these preferences were also defined. The results of the study show a statistically significant relationship between the activity typology and visitor characteristics. A quantitative measure of recreators' activity preference, based on measurable socio-economic variables, has been obtained. Suggested refinements in the method will make management application operational.