Research
Dr. Bailey's research involves various aspects of human/nature interactions. He works with local planners and non-profits to promote best practices for sustainable tourism and recreation in natural environments (visitation metrics, economic impacts, park planning), as well as measuring the physical, cognitive, and psychological impacts of outdoor activities on participants. Through his research and teaching, he advocates for outdoor environments as well as access to the unique and inspiring activities in our region.
Dr. Hungenberg’s involvement in destination marketing has had a tremendous impact on his research agenda, which has been aimed at understanding the relationship between a sport participant and/or spectator’s emotional connection to the environment and their consumer behavior. A focus on location, aesthetics, and service quality has also created unique opportunities to link this line of research with studies that emphasize the importance of employing sensory marketing tactics as a means of service product differentiation. Dr. Hungenberg has published several articles in academic journals, written book chapters, and consulted on numerous market analysis reports.
Dr. Zwart’s research focuses on the socio-cultural, economic, and health impacts of outdoor recreation-based activities. His work examines how outdoor recreation opportunities influence community development, sustainability, and individual well-being, with inquiry into outdoor recreation-based activity’s role in economic revitalization and environmental stewardship. Dr. Zwart has published, presented at international conferences, and secured grant funding to support applied research in outdoor recreation and tourism management.
This study explores the multifaceted nature of youth sport tourism, focusing on parents’ and coaches’ perspectives during travel events. Using responses from 7,399 participants across volleyball, softball, baseball, and lacrosse events, the research identifies key service elements, including lodging, tournament format, and destination amenities, that significantly influence event satisfaction, word-of-mouth promotion, and repeat visitation. Structural equation modeling reveals that while both core (e.g., competition quality) and peripheral (e.g., lodging experience) elements contribute to satisfaction, lodging and tournament format were most impactful. The findings underscore the importance of holistic event design and community collaboration in enhancing the overall consumer experience in youth sport tourism.
This study investigates the role of nostalgia in shaping Minor League Baseball spectators’ psychological, emotional, and behavioral responses using mobile encephalography and ecological momentary assessment. The findings reveal that sensory and social stimuli, such as sights, sounds, and social interactions, significantly trigger nostalgic episodes. Spectators prone to inward attention and arousal reported higher frequencies of nostalgia, which positively influenced their behavioral intentions, such as reattendance and word-of-mouth promotion. These insights underscore the importance of leveraging nostalgic elements in MiLB environments to enhance spectator experiences and foster long-term engagement with the sport and associated experiences.
This exploratory study examines the psychogeography of marathon runners by integrating Electroencephalography technology to assess psychological and spatial experiences during long-distance running. By capturing real-time neural activity, the study identifies correlations between environmental stimuli, emotional responses, and cognitive states, offering unique insights into the interplay between geography and mental processes in endurance sports. Results indicate that specific landscapes and urban elements evoke distinct neural patterns, suggesting that environmental design can significantly influence runners’ psychological well-being and performance. The findings highlight the potential of EEG as a tool to enhance understanding and optimization of the marathon experience.
This study explores the intersection of sport event tourism and ecotourism through an analysis of sustainability practices at the Grand Trailfest, a multi-day trail running event in Utah. Using the World Tourism Organization’s (WTO) sustainability indicators as a framework, the research incorporates participant observation, interviews, visual ethnography, and content analysis to evaluate environmental, socio-cultural, and economic impacts. Findings reveal additional sustainability dimensions, such as education, literacy, political agendas, and economic development, that extend beyond the traditional WTO indicators. The study emphasizes the need for thoughtful event planning to balance environmental conservation with the benefits of sport tourism, contributing to theoretical advancements and practical recommendations for sustainable sport event management.