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Professor, Dept of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Man, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. My research interests include sport tourism (specializing in sport events and active sport tourism), leisure and tourism behavior in mid and later life, women as tourists, and perceived risk in tourism. I teach classes in tourism theory, sport tourism and research methods. For the past 15 years I have lead study abroad programs to Australia and Fiji with a focus on sustainability. I am a Fellow of the Academy of Leisure Sciences, the International Academy for the Study of Tourism and the Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars at the University of Florida.
In an attempt to maintain social connection with a large lecture-style class, this teaching case describes how we used the Zoom Break-out Room function to run live discussion groups during fall 2020. Using a combination of Google Docs, Canvas, and Zoom one instructor and one TA describe how they managed to run discussions on contemporary tourism issues to compliment asynchronous online lectures. Advice for replicating this assignment and for transferring it back to the traditional classroom is given.
Heather J. Gibson; Karen Tavares. Friday Live Discussion Groups with 90 Students on Zoom: Organized Chaos? SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education 2021, 1 -2.
AMA StyleHeather J. Gibson, Karen Tavares. Friday Live Discussion Groups with 90 Students on Zoom: Organized Chaos? SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education. 2021; ():1-2.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHeather J. Gibson; Karen Tavares. 2021. "Friday Live Discussion Groups with 90 Students on Zoom: Organized Chaos?" SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education , no. : 1-2.
Leisure time physical activity (LTPA) provides both health benefits and risks, particularly during a pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, significant increases in close-to-home LTPA raised concerns for public health and land managers alike. This project illustrates a novel, integrated monitoring approach to estimating COVID-19 risk exposure during trail-related LTPA, with implications for other public spaces. COVID-19 risk exposure was conservatively calculated from the integration of in-person observations of LTPA trail groups and automated monitoring of trail traffic volumes in spring 2020. Trained observers tracked 1,477 groups. Traffic volume estimates and observed distance data were integrated, considering occlusion and total trail traffic volume. 70% of groups had one or more encounters. Among individual users, 38.5% were 100% compliant across all events observed but 32.7% were not compliant. Considering trail traffic volumes and annual daily traffic volume, exposure to risk of COVID-19 was conservatively estimated at 61.5% among individual trail users. Monitoring opportunities and challenges of health risk exposure exist. Adjusted exposure measures based on volume counts can approximate numbers of unique individuals exposed, inform management actions, efficacy and policy decisions.
Ingrid E. Schneider; Greg Lindsey; Michael Petesch; Christopher J. Wynveen; Megha Budruk; Bill Hendricks; Heather Gibson; Kim Shinew; Taylor Stein; Deonne VanderWoude. An integrated approach to monitoring and estimating COVID-19 risk exposure among leisure-time physical activity participants. Journal of Transport & Health 2021, 22, 101088 .
AMA StyleIngrid E. Schneider, Greg Lindsey, Michael Petesch, Christopher J. Wynveen, Megha Budruk, Bill Hendricks, Heather Gibson, Kim Shinew, Taylor Stein, Deonne VanderWoude. An integrated approach to monitoring and estimating COVID-19 risk exposure among leisure-time physical activity participants. Journal of Transport & Health. 2021; 22 ():101088.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIngrid E. Schneider; Greg Lindsey; Michael Petesch; Christopher J. Wynveen; Megha Budruk; Bill Hendricks; Heather Gibson; Kim Shinew; Taylor Stein; Deonne VanderWoude. 2021. "An integrated approach to monitoring and estimating COVID-19 risk exposure among leisure-time physical activity participants." Journal of Transport & Health 22, no. : 101088.
Using study abroad as a vehicle for sustainable education is a growing trend. However, an examination of the impact of study abroad on participants’ sustainability-related attitudes and behaviors years after their programs is scarce. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore how a short-term sustainability themed study abroad program impacted students’ sustainability-related attitudes and behaviors. Since long-term personal development and change of attitudes are complex and multidimensional, a qualitative approach was used allowing participants to share their experiences and reflections on the process of learning and internalizing sustainability. A total of 31 study abroad participants were interviewed (20 to 33 years of age) and a grounded theory method was used throughout the study. Participants’ behavioral changes were identified, and the specific study abroad program designs that were associated with such changes were identified and discussed. The three behavioral changes identified by the participants were lifestyle, professional development, and responsible travel behaviors. The effective program design elements include emotion, cognition, and action. Furthermore, the findings suggested revisions to the Value–Belief–Norm model in that more motives should be added whereas, weight of responsibility might need to be reevaluated. This study contributes to the educational tourism and sustainability literature with practical implications for program design, and a better understanding of students’ long-term learning outcomes regarding sustainability.
Hongping Zhang; Heather Gibson. Long-Term Impact of Study Abroad on Sustainability-Related Attitudes and Behaviors. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1953 .
AMA StyleHongping Zhang, Heather Gibson. Long-Term Impact of Study Abroad on Sustainability-Related Attitudes and Behaviors. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (4):1953.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHongping Zhang; Heather Gibson. 2021. "Long-Term Impact of Study Abroad on Sustainability-Related Attitudes and Behaviors." Sustainability 13, no. 4: 1953.
International retirement migration (IRM) is a growing phenomenon linked to increased longevity, early retirement, and improved financial status. Encompassing both travel and leisure experiences, IRM is a topic relevant to both tourism and leisure studies. By analysing the fictional movie series The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012) and The Second Best Marigold Hotel (2015) from psychological, gerontological, and sociological theoretical perspectives, this paper examines motivation, goal setting, continuity and change, and identity development in IRM experiences within tourism and leisure contexts. This paper (a) identified motivations for IRM as finance, romantic relationships, social relations, self-esteem, self-fulfilment, and social norms; (b) in turn, time perception and attitude influence IRM emigrants’ priority and emotional fulfilment; (c) innovation extricates IRM emigrants from role loss and facilitates role change; and (d) IRM emigrants experience various identity development processes. A conceptual framework for IRM is proposed that purports to explain the IRM experience process and indicates that such an understanding of IRM should incorporate psychological, gerontological, and sociological perspectives.
Yu Niu; Heather J. Gibson. Leisure, international retirement migration, and retirement adjustment: insights from the best exotic marigold hotel movies. Leisure Studies 2020, 39, 404 -416.
AMA StyleYu Niu, Heather J. Gibson. Leisure, international retirement migration, and retirement adjustment: insights from the best exotic marigold hotel movies. Leisure Studies. 2020; 39 (3):404-416.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYu Niu; Heather J. Gibson. 2020. "Leisure, international retirement migration, and retirement adjustment: insights from the best exotic marigold hotel movies." Leisure Studies 39, no. 3: 404-416.
Participation in active leisure such as skiing and snowboarding can enhance physical and psychological health throughout life. The purpose of this study was to explore snow-sports participation experiences among women who exhibit a commitment to these sports with a focus on well-being outcomes. Thirteen in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with female skiers and snowboarders. Grounded theory methods were employed where initial open coding was suggestive of the prominence of well-being in the women’s narratives. Subsequent axial and selective coding was guided by Seligman’s five domains of well-being: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment (PERMA). In the process of theoretical elaboration, a model outlining how these five domains manifest among these women is proposed showing how relationships and engagements are particularly prominent. As snow-sports participation continues to decline, especially among women, suggestions are made to increase women’s participation in these sports, with a focus on well-being.
Mona Mirehie; Heather J. Gibson. Women’s participation in snow-sports and sense of well-being: a positive psychology approach. Journal of Leisure Research 2019, 51, 397 -415.
AMA StyleMona Mirehie, Heather J. Gibson. Women’s participation in snow-sports and sense of well-being: a positive psychology approach. Journal of Leisure Research. 2019; 51 (4):397-415.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMona Mirehie; Heather J. Gibson. 2019. "Women’s participation in snow-sports and sense of well-being: a positive psychology approach." Journal of Leisure Research 51, no. 4: 397-415.
Positive psychology provides an approach to understand different aspects of tourist's well-being. This study investigated the wellbeing associated with snow-sport tourism among women. As part of a larger mixed-methods study, the utility of the PERMA framework (positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment) as a tool for measuring well-being in the context of active sport tourism was assessed. Subsequently, PERMA was applied to investigate the well-being of female snow-sport participants in relation to their sport-related travel. Principle Component Analysis revealed only one dimension for well-being instead of the previously suggested five PERMA domains. One-way ANCOVA indicated that women who travelled to participate in snow-sports had a higher sense of well-being than those who participated locally. Hierarchical Multiple Regression showed a positive relationship between shorter frequent trips and higher well-being. Recommendations for encouraging participation in snow-sport tourism, focusing on well-being are made.
Mona Mirehie; Heather J. Gibson. The relationship between female snow-sport tourists' travel behaviors and well-being. Tourism Management Perspectives 2019, 33, 100613 .
AMA StyleMona Mirehie, Heather J. Gibson. The relationship between female snow-sport tourists' travel behaviors and well-being. Tourism Management Perspectives. 2019; 33 ():100613.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMona Mirehie; Heather J. Gibson. 2019. "The relationship between female snow-sport tourists' travel behaviors and well-being." Tourism Management Perspectives 33, no. : 100613.
The purpose of this study was to examine parental values associated with children’s participation in organized sports, how these values are shaped by social class, race and age, and the influence of elite-level involvement in youth sport on family life. Data were collected by questionnaire in person from parents who were attending three youth sport events (Athletics (track and field) n = 102, Swimming n = 193, Synchronized Swimming n = 139). ANOVA, multiple regression, and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. Values associated with the child/youth’s sport participation included fun, health, self-discipline, and competition. Multiple regression analysis showed that values differed by social class, age, and race, and child/youth’s age. For example, fun and self-discipline were rated higher for younger children while competition was valued more highly for older children. In particular, African-American parents rated self-discipline and competition as significantly higher. Parents across all sports reported the need to organize family activities around sport schedules with swimming and synchronized swimming cited as the most influential. Suggestions as to how Leisure Studies’ research foci on youth, family life, gender and time are well positioned to make valuable contributions to the study of youth sport in the context of family life are discussed.
Mona Mirehie; Heather Gibson; S. Kang; H. Bell. Parental insights from three elite-level youth sports: implications for family life. World Leisure Journal 2018, 61, 98 -112.
AMA StyleMona Mirehie, Heather Gibson, S. Kang, H. Bell. Parental insights from three elite-level youth sports: implications for family life. World Leisure Journal. 2018; 61 (2):98-112.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMona Mirehie; Heather Gibson; S. Kang; H. Bell. 2018. "Parental insights from three elite-level youth sports: implications for family life." World Leisure Journal 61, no. 2: 98-112.
Sheranne Fairley; Heather Gibson; Matthew Lamont. Temporal manifestations of nostalgia: Le Tour de France. Annals of Tourism Research 2018, 70, 120 -130.
AMA StyleSheranne Fairley, Heather Gibson, Matthew Lamont. Temporal manifestations of nostalgia: Le Tour de France. Annals of Tourism Research. 2018; 70 ():120-130.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSheranne Fairley; Heather Gibson; Matthew Lamont. 2018. "Temporal manifestations of nostalgia: Le Tour de France." Annals of Tourism Research 70, no. : 120-130.
Mona Mirehie; Heather Gibson; Catheryn Khoo-Lattimore; Girish Prayag. An exploratory study of hospitality needs and preferences of U.S. Girlfriend Getaways. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management 2018, 27, 811 -832.
AMA StyleMona Mirehie, Heather Gibson, Catheryn Khoo-Lattimore, Girish Prayag. An exploratory study of hospitality needs and preferences of U.S. Girlfriend Getaways. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management. 2018; 27 (7):811-832.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMona Mirehie; Heather Gibson; Catheryn Khoo-Lattimore; Girish Prayag. 2018. "An exploratory study of hospitality needs and preferences of U.S. Girlfriend Getaways." Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management 27, no. 7: 811-832.
Mona Mirehie; Richard J. Buning; Heather J. Gibson. Participation Versus Nonparticipation in a Charity Running Event. Event Management 2017, 21, 639 -652.
AMA StyleMona Mirehie, Richard J. Buning, Heather J. Gibson. Participation Versus Nonparticipation in a Charity Running Event. Event Management. 2017; 21 (6):639-652.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMona Mirehie; Richard J. Buning; Heather J. Gibson. 2017. "Participation Versus Nonparticipation in a Charity Running Event." Event Management 21, no. 6: 639-652.
This chapter describes the development of scholarship in sport tourism from the 1990s. While some of the earliest scholars were women, the authors document the lack of a feminist analysis in sport tourism research. Much of the early work was devoted to defining sport tourism, with a general consensus that sport-related travel comprises both active (e.g., skiing, cycling, triathlons, etc.) and passive (spectating or visiting sports museums) forms. However, a review of the literature is used to show that as the body of knowledge became more substantive, despite well-established feminist analyses in sport studies and a growing gender-aware presence in Tourism Studies, as relevant sport tourism disciplines, until recently feminist perspectives have been largely absent. Suggestions for future research directions to remedy this are discussed.
Heather Gibson; Mona Mirehie. Sport Tourism and Feminism. The Palgrave Handbook of Feminism and Sport, Leisure and Physical Education 2017, 681 -697.
AMA StyleHeather Gibson, Mona Mirehie. Sport Tourism and Feminism. The Palgrave Handbook of Feminism and Sport, Leisure and Physical Education. 2017; ():681-697.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHeather Gibson; Mona Mirehie. 2017. "Sport Tourism and Feminism." The Palgrave Handbook of Feminism and Sport, Leisure and Physical Education , no. : 681-697.
Heather J. Gibson; Matthew Lamont; Millicent Kennelly; Richard Buning. Introduction to the Special Issue Active Sport Tourism. Journal of Sport & Tourism 2017, 22, 83 -91.
AMA StyleHeather J. Gibson, Matthew Lamont, Millicent Kennelly, Richard Buning. Introduction to the Special Issue Active Sport Tourism. Journal of Sport & Tourism. 2017; 22 (2):83-91.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHeather J. Gibson; Matthew Lamont; Millicent Kennelly; Richard Buning. 2017. "Introduction to the Special Issue Active Sport Tourism." Journal of Sport & Tourism 22, no. 2: 83-91.
Heather Gibson. Sport tourism and theory and other developments: some reflections. Journal of Sport & Tourism 2017, 21, 153 -158.
AMA StyleHeather Gibson. Sport tourism and theory and other developments: some reflections. Journal of Sport & Tourism. 2017; 21 (2):153-158.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHeather Gibson. 2017. "Sport tourism and theory and other developments: some reflections." Journal of Sport & Tourism 21, no. 2: 153-158.
Michael Silk; Jayne Caudwell; Heather Gibson. Views on leisure studies: pasts, presents & future possibilities? Leisure Studies 2017, 36, 153 -162.
AMA StyleMichael Silk, Jayne Caudwell, Heather Gibson. Views on leisure studies: pasts, presents & future possibilities? Leisure Studies. 2017; 36 (2):153-162.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael Silk; Jayne Caudwell; Heather Gibson. 2017. "Views on leisure studies: pasts, presents & future possibilities?" Leisure Studies 36, no. 2: 153-162.
All-female leisure travel is a fast growing tourism market segment that is frequently called “girlfriend getaways.” This study explored the meanings associated with the “girlfriend getaway” term, using discourse analysis to understand the ways women build significance, activities, identities, relationships, politics, connections, and sign systems and knowledge with respect to it. Eleven focus groups and 15 individual interviews were conducted with 83 American and Canadian women. The analysis revealed that “girlfriend getaway” is a term with contested and polysemous meanings. While some women found it to be adequate, accurate, cute, and reflective of their all-female tourist experiences, others described it as stereotypical, narrow/claustrophobic, “pink,” inadequate, and unreflective of their experiences. At times, the same symbolic meanings attracted some women but alienated others. Thus, tourism marketers need to identify and engage with different strands within their female clientele to ensure that their strategies appropriately respond to various preferences and lifestyles.
Liza Berdychevsky; Heather J. Gibson; Heather L. Bell. “Girlfriend getaway” as a contested term: Discourse analysis. Tourism Management 2016, 55, 106 -122.
AMA StyleLiza Berdychevsky, Heather J. Gibson, Heather L. Bell. “Girlfriend getaway” as a contested term: Discourse analysis. Tourism Management. 2016; 55 ():106-122.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLiza Berdychevsky; Heather J. Gibson; Heather L. Bell. 2016. "“Girlfriend getaway” as a contested term: Discourse analysis." Tourism Management 55, no. : 106-122.
There is general consensus that a tourist refers to a person who travels outside of their home community. However, this movement is where agreement tends to end. Discussions continue about how far...
Heather J. Gibson. Tourist. Encyclopedia of Tourism 2016, 957 -959.
AMA StyleHeather J. Gibson. Tourist. Encyclopedia of Tourism. 2016; ():957-959.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHeather J. Gibson. 2016. "Tourist." Encyclopedia of Tourism , no. : 957-959.
Utilizing a social worlds perspective, the study examined active-sport-event travel career progression in the sport of cycling. Event travel careers are considered potentially lifelong patterns of travel to participate in events that evolve through stages with distinct behaviors and motivations. Quantitative methods were used to test tenets of an inductively derived model of the active-sport-event travel career for cyclists. An international sample of cyclists were surveyed online; N = 1,452 responded. Using general linear modeling, the results depicted an escalation in motivation related to intellectual, social, mastery competence, giving back, and competition against others with career progression. However, while travel behavior related to preferred events characteristics changed with career progression, preferred characteristics related to destinations and travel style remained relatively stagnant. Implications for destination and event management are discussed.
Richard Buning; Heather Gibson. Exploring the Trajectory of Active-Sport-Event Travel Careers: A Social Worlds Perspective. Journal of Sport Management 2016, 30, 265 -281.
AMA StyleRichard Buning, Heather Gibson. Exploring the Trajectory of Active-Sport-Event Travel Careers: A Social Worlds Perspective. Journal of Sport Management. 2016; 30 (3):265-281.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRichard Buning; Heather Gibson. 2016. "Exploring the Trajectory of Active-Sport-Event Travel Careers: A Social Worlds Perspective." Journal of Sport Management 30, no. 3: 265-281.
The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of travel conditions on preferred destination, event, and travel characteristics in the context of Active-Sport-Event Travel Carers among cyclists who travel to take part in events. Travel conditions are circumstances surrounding a trip such as travel with family or the length of travel. A sample of cyclists that travel to participate in events (N = 1452) was collected via online survey through cycling organizations and websites. Data analysis consisted of a series of repeated measures ANOVAs and paired sample t-tests. The results indicated an individual's event, destination, and travel-style preferences are dependent on whether he or she was traveling with a non-cyclist (e.g. family member) and the distance traveled. Prior research has suggested that for active sport tourists event criteria are more important than destination characteristics and travel preferences remain relatively stagnant with career progression. In contrast, the findings here suggest travel preferences vary based on travel conditions and that attractive destinations only become advantageous if event participants are traveling with non-cyclists or on trips involving longer distances. For instance when non-participant travel companions are included, the entertainment, attractions, and activities available in the destination become much more important to active event tourists. Communities seeking to attract sport tourists as a form of sustainable tourism development would be advised to organize events incorporating these preferences and to consider the influence of travel conditions.
Richard J. Buning; Heather Gibson. The role of travel conditions in cycling tourism: implications for destination and event management. Journal of Sport & Tourism 2016, 20, 175 -193.
AMA StyleRichard J. Buning, Heather Gibson. The role of travel conditions in cycling tourism: implications for destination and event management. Journal of Sport & Tourism. 2016; 20 (3-4):175-193.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRichard J. Buning; Heather Gibson. 2016. "The role of travel conditions in cycling tourism: implications for destination and event management." Journal of Sport & Tourism 20, no. 3-4: 175-193.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether a mega sport event has the potential to bring the nation together by increasing the importance of national identity and decreasing the importance of ethnic identity on the outcome of social cohesion. Instead of replicating prior work that has performed mean score comparisons of national identity, ethnic identity, and social cohesion before and after a particular event, the authors compared the variance explained (pre vs. post event) to show the aggregate influence of the two identities on social cohesion. By focusing on this reporting method, the subsequent discussion rests entirely on the practical influence of the perceptual changes that resulted from event hosting. Data for this trend analysis were collected from South African residents, pre (N = 1749), and post (N = 2020) the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Results indicated that while the importance of national identity on social cohesion did not increase, the importance of ethnic identity did decrease strongly, indicating that these mega sports events might cause individuals to forget about their ethnic differences as a result of these events.
Bob Heere; Matthew Walker; Heather Gibson; Brijesh Thapa; Sue Geldenhuys; Willem Coetzee. Ethnic identity over national identity: an alternative approach to measure the effect of the World Cup on social cohesion. Journal of Sport & Tourism 2016, 20, 41 -56.
AMA StyleBob Heere, Matthew Walker, Heather Gibson, Brijesh Thapa, Sue Geldenhuys, Willem Coetzee. Ethnic identity over national identity: an alternative approach to measure the effect of the World Cup on social cohesion. Journal of Sport & Tourism. 2016; 20 (1):41-56.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBob Heere; Matthew Walker; Heather Gibson; Brijesh Thapa; Sue Geldenhuys; Willem Coetzee. 2016. "Ethnic identity over national identity: an alternative approach to measure the effect of the World Cup on social cohesion." Journal of Sport & Tourism 20, no. 1: 41-56.
Liza Berdychevsky; Heather J. Gibson. Sex and risk in young women's tourist experiences: Context, likelihood, and consequences. Tourism Management 2015, 51, 78 -90.
AMA StyleLiza Berdychevsky, Heather J. Gibson. Sex and risk in young women's tourist experiences: Context, likelihood, and consequences. Tourism Management. 2015; 51 ():78-90.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLiza Berdychevsky; Heather J. Gibson. 2015. "Sex and risk in young women's tourist experiences: Context, likelihood, and consequences." Tourism Management 51, no. : 78-90.