West Springfield, MA Open Space and Recreation Plan

Gonna' be looking this over this spring.  Need to learn a bit more about my neighbor town and the Open Space and Recreation Plan is usually a good place to start.

Communitas in fright tourism

my latest paper, titled

 Communitas in fright tourism

has been published in Tourism Geographies.

Abstract

Liminality offers an explanation of the threshold one passes through as they enter a tourist destination. Beginning with the anticipation phase of the experience a tourist travels to a destination for an on-site experience. Multiple thresholds occur for the tourist, yet during the periods prior to the actual event, motivations will likely draw or repel the individual. For dark tourism research none have reviewed these liminal experiences in fright tourism, the more entertaining and lighter aspect of the dark elder. To better understand the anticipation stage of the liminal experience, the influence of fear while entering a haunted attraction is explored. Fear is expected to contribute to the fun of these haunted attractions. During this liminal phase, communitas evolve where the social bonding of the visitors develops during the encounter. Characteristics of these groups are examined in this exploratory study.

 Keywords: Liminoid, communitas, fright tourism, dark attractions, fear, tourist travel phases

For a link to the paper. click here.

 Received 23 Sep 2018, Accepted 24 Nov 2019, Published online: 13 Jan 2020

Costa Rica

While this country has long been known for ecotourism and medical tourism, there are tons of things to experience.  This volcano is longer considered active, but Arenal is still pretty neat to see.

I was fortunate enough to see it erupt back on New Years eve 1999 - 2000 from Tabacon Springs but on subsequent visits I just saw some steam.

Costa Rica continues to draw tourist who are loving it to death, but that seems to be the case of most fringe destinations, with 1.2 million visitors from the states, up from 0.75 million just ten years earlier. It is becoming less an ecotourism destination and more like just any other tropically one. 
Too bad.

Going hiking?

Or skiing, paddling or anything outside?

Check on the current data here.  At least for the lower 48.

Temperature?

Air Pressure (in millibars)

Fronts and Radar?

National Trails Day® 2020

Save the Date
June 6, 2020


Taking place on the first Saturday in June, National Trails Day® is a day of public events aimed at advocacy and trail service. Thousands of hikers, bikers, rowers, horseback riders, trail clubs, federal and local agencies, land trusts, and businesses come together to advocate for, maintain, and clean up public lands and trails.

Earthquakes and Caribbean Tourism

Seems Puerto Rico cannot get a break. Today's quake hit the island destination earlier this morning.  Details from PR are found here.

Hurricane Maria is still in the minds of the citizens and to read a summary, check this out.

My thoughts go out to our island friends.

This is a landing at SJU before Maria and the last time I visited the island.