Hospitality & Tourism Subject Guide: Recreation

Recreation is an activity that people voluntarily pursue for personal enjoyment or satisfaction, usually during their free time. Recreation takes a wide variety of forms and occurs in many different places, indoors and outdoors, depending on the preferences of the individual. Since the 1940s, recreation has become a highly visible element in modern life. Higher incomes and improvements in working conditions and transportation have given many people more money, time, and mobility for recreation.

‘Recreation’ (2018) Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, p. 1; Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=funk&AN=re020550&site=eds-live (Accessed: 22 March 2021).

Types of Recreation 

• National Recreation and Park Association

  National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of public parks, recreation and conservation. Our work draws national focus to the far-reaching impact of successes generated at the local level.

• National Center for Biotechnology Information 

  The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.

• Hospitality Net (HN)

  An Introduction to Commercial Recreation and Tourism

• American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)

  The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) is the only national membership organization representing the interests and needs of therapeutic recreation specialists, also known as recreational therapists. Recreational therapists are healthcare providers who plan, direct, deliver, and evaluate recreation-based interventions for individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions. They provide research-informed interventions that are based on client assessments and targeted client outcomes.

• The National Benefits Hub

  50 Benefit of Recreation Outcome Statements

• Connecticut, the official website of the Town of Manchester

  Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation Manchester Recreation Division

• Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation- Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S.

  The Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation sector includes a wide range of establishments that operate facilities or provide services to meet varied cultural, entertainment, and recreational interests of their patrons. This sector comprises (1) establishments that are involved in producing, promoting, or participating in live performances, events, or exhibits intended for public viewing; (2) establishments that preserve and exhibit objects and sites of historical, cultural, or educational interest; and (3) establishments that operate facilities or provide services that enable patrons to participate in recreational activities or pursue amusement, hobby, and leisure-time interests.

• Recreation.gov

  A guide to federal recreation, camping and tour information.

• Recreation Information Database (RIBD)

  Part of the federal Recreation One Stop (Rec1Stop) project, RIBD Rec1Stop offers a single point of access to information from multiple agencies about recreation. Includes information about federal lands, historic sites, museums, and other attractions/resources.

Suggested links to recreation books from the catalog.