LEISURE AND RECREATION PLANNING

1. Leisure and recreation
• Recreation refers to all those activities that people choose to do to
refresh their bodies and minds and make their leisure time more
interesting and enjoyable. Examples of recreation activities are
walking, swimming, meditation, reading, playing games and dancing.
• Leisure refers to the free time that people can spend away from their
everyday responsibilities (e.g. work and domestic tasks) to rest, relax
and enjoy life. It is during leisure time that people participate in
recreation and sporting activities.
• Sport refers to any type of organized physical activity, e.g. soccer,
rugbi, football, basketball and athletics.

2. Recreation, leisure and sports in the community
• In many low-income countries where people work every day just to survive, the
concept of leisure time is not always well understood and nor is it a priority.
• Indeed, many activities that are considered recreational in high-income countries
are considered a means of livelihood in low-income countries, e.g. fishing and
handicrafts.
• In most communities the type of recreational and sporting activities people
participate in are determined by age, gender, local context (e.g. rural vs. urban)
and socioeconomic status.
• For example, children in poor communities are likely to play games using natural
materials, such as sticks or stones or using discarded manufactured items like
tyres and rope. Leisure time is also likely to be based around cultural activities,
such as traditional dance, storytelling, religious festivals and events, and visiting
entertainment troupes.

3. Recreation, leisure and sports in the community
• In many poor and rural communities there are no designated places for people to
spend their leisure time, such as community centers and sports stadiums, so it is
common for people to gather in places of worship, tea shops, houses and open
spaces.
• Communities in low-income countries often have pressing priorities and limited
budgets.
• As a result the development of formal recreation and sports activities
/programmes is usually dependent on donors.
• It is important that external funding is carefully managed to ensure that the
programmes/activities introduced are appropriate to the local context.

4. The benefits of participation
• Health promotion and disease prevention – recreation and sports activities are
an enjoyable and effective way to improve health and well-being; they can
relieve stress, increase fitness, improve physical and mental health, and prevent
the development of chronic diseases, such as heart disease.
•Skills development – physical and social skills are some of the many skills that
can be developed through participation in recreation and sports activities.
• International peace and development – sport is a universal language that can
be used as a powerful tool to promote peace, tolerance and understanding by
bringing people together across boundaries, cultures and religions.

5. The benefits of participation
• Awareness raising, reduction of stigma and social inclusion –
recreation and sports activities are a powerful, low-cost means to
foster greater inclusion of people with disabilities; they bring people
of all ages and abilities together for enjoyment, and provide people
with disabilities the opportunity to demonstrate their strengths and
abilities, and promote a positive image of disability.
• Empowerment – recreation and sports activities can empower people
with disabilities by positively influencing their self-confidence and
self-esteem.

6. Geography leisure and recreation in Asian Perspective
• Asian countries- Geographies and historical perspectives.
• Cultural, social and economical issues
• There is a tremendous amount of ethnic, religious, and linguistic diversity within
the region
• Indigenous cultural practices and pre-colonial trade relationships, as well as (with
the exception of Thailand) the common experience of European colonization.
• The region also shares common post-independence struggles, nation-building
efforts, and similar aspirations to ‘develop’ and ‘modernise’.
• Finally, ramai (Indonesian word meaning ‘crowded, noisy, fun’) aesthetics in
music, visual arts, and even food are shared throughout the region.
• Religious and spiritual beliefs, shaped by local beliefs and practices

7. Geography leisure and recreation in Asian Perspective
• Festivals, games, performances and market based activities
• Centuries after the populations of Indonesia and Malaysia had converted to
Islam, the great Hindu epics continue to feature prominently in music,
performing arts, and material arts.
• Along a coast, and the sea is an important venue for leisure activities for many.
Swimming, free diving for shellfish, and fishing are common leisure pursuits.
Sailboat races are common throughout coastal Southeast Asia and are linked to
a variety of related leisure activities, including boat building, boat decoration,
and sailing.
• Food….. Catering…… hunters…. Family kitchens
• Many male leisure activities in Southeast Asia developed from the skillset of a
warrior or soldier.

8. Geography leisure and recreation in Asian Perspective
• The arts of sword fighting, archery, and other forms of combat were popular
male pastimes. Various types of martial arts developed in Southeast Asia over
the centuries, with varying levels of influence from China and India.
• East Malaysian state of Sabah, men spend hours together at the general store,
talking and playing cards and snooker. Women and children come to the store
(the only store in the village), but they make purchases and then leave. In some
leisure activities such as dance, puppet, and music performances and some
games, men and women would mix as members of the audience.
• In their more limited leisure time, women engaged in pragmatic activities in the
domestic sphere, including embroidery, batik, and other handicrafts. For
example, the Hmong women from the mountains of Vietnam sew ‘story quilts’,
colourful embroidery on black fabric showing images from daily life like farming
and gathering water.

9. Geography leisure and recreation in Asian Perspective
• Various leisure activities have emerged in Southeast Asia that challenge
conventional gender norms. For example, while cockfighting (and its attendant
gambling) is considered an archetypal male hobby in the region, many men
engage in more gentle leisure activities involving birds, including bird breeding,
pigeon racing, and birdcage decorating.
• In Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei, the folk sport dove-
cooing contests have experienced as male activity.
• After industrialization European team sports were introduced more widely,
including soccer, badminton, volleyball, basketball, and others.
• This politicisation of leisure activities continued after independence and
became an important strategy for nation-building in the former colonies.

10. Sports role in leisure
• 1. Maintain health,
• 2. Socialization,
• 3. Movement,
• 4. Self-improvement,
• 5. Challenge,
• 6. Competition,
• 7. Affiliation,
• 8. Communication,
• 9. Satisfaction and
• 10. Disconnection
Leisure trends- Indoor and outdoor ( various forms)

11. Role – planning and administrative
• The Role of Government in Commercial Recreation
Complementary Relationships
Government is not structured to meet all the recreational needs of all
people. therefore government has acted to complement the efforts of
private enterprise to provide the maximum recreation opportunity for its
residents. Specific complementary actions by government include the
following:
• Provide, maintain or regulate infrastructure (roads, utilities etc.) that
supports commercial recreation and tourism.
• Promote tourism and commercial development.
• Provide public facilities where residents can use recreation equipment
purchased from retail outlets.
• Provide low-cost introductory programs.
• Refer people to commercial recreation opportunities

12. Role – planning and administrative
Cooperative Arrangements
In many types of cooperative arrangements, government and private enterprises
interact directly to provide recreation facilities or programs. Examples include:
• Public agency programs conducted at commercial facilities
• Private enterprise contracted to operate certain programs at public agency
facilities
• Co-sponsor of promotional and special events
• Loaning or sharing of equipment, supplies or staff expertise
• Leasing concessions for food, beverage, or other amenities
• Cooperative facility development
• Financial assistance provided such as low cost loans or property tax
• Leasing of public land for commercial recreation and tourism development.

13. Role – planning and administrative
Planning Relationships
Long-range planning for recreation and tourism is best served when government
and private enterprise work together. the following are areas in which mutual
planning efforts may be beneficial:
• Commercial recreation and tourism representatives should be involved in
public hearings related to recreation and natural resources
• Commercial recreation and tourism representatives should be active in the
community, serving on advisory boards and planning commissions
• Comprehensive plans at the local and state levels should include input
from commercial recreation and tourism owners and managers
• Commercial recreation and tourism representatives should be active in
providing input for national policy level decisions that affect the industry.
• Commercial recreation and tourism representatives should be active in
providing input about local and state regulatory decisions.

14. Planning and administration
The Rise of "Disruptive Technologies"
• Disruptive technologies are "products and services that significantly change
the marketplace." These innovations often displace existing industry leaders
and challenge the status quo.
• Disruptors are often fairly simple and tend to work their way up from the
bottom. They tend to change the way business is done.
• Examples of current disruptors affecting the hospitality and tourism businesses
include Airbnb and Uber.
• It is difficult to project what direction industry disruptors will take. Managers
need to be aware of on-going changes in their industry because opportunities
for disruptive changes in commercial recreation are numerous

15. Planning and administration
Required skill-
Recreation facilities and the programs and services they enable are important to
the quality of life and health of our communities. Achieving the benefits of
recreation doesn’t just happen by chance. It requires well thought-out, data-
driven, and outcomes-focused plans that set the direction for the types of
recreation facilities most needed, by when and where.
Start-up,
Background Review & Inventory
Community Engagement & Needs Assessment
Draft Strategy
Final Strategy

16. Planning and administration
• Personal
Enhance quality of life, wellbeing and extend life expectancy. • Lower levels of
obesity and chronic disease, decrease stress levels, and decrease mental health
problems. • Restore physical and mental health. • Strengthen self-esteem, self-
image, creativity and productivity of children, youth and adults.
• Community
Strengthen family connectedness. • Help people connect with each other,
leading to more cohesive and engaged communities. • Build sense of place and
community pride. • Enhance understanding and appreciation of cultural
differences. • Reduce anti-social behaviours, crime and associated justice costs.
• Economy
Attract and retain skilled labour and business investment. • Diversify and
strengthen local economies through tourism/ recreation. • Enhance land and
home values near recreation opportunities.

17. Economic – social and environmental impacts
Positive Impacts
• Increase in employment opportunities
• Local economy is stimulated through increased commerce
• Outside capital is attracted
• Property values often increase
• Tax revenues (property, sales, and hotel room) increase
• Recreation opportunity for local residents increase
• Economic multiplier improves when locals stay in their community for their
recreation experiences

18. Economic – social and environmental impacts
Negative Impacts
• High business failure rates and short life cycles resulting in
unemployment and decreased economic contribution to the local economy
• Overburdened local infrastructure (roads, sewers, utilities, etc) which
will require capital improvements
• Increased crime rates
• Increased land values and higher property taxes
• Over impacted natural resources that may reduce tourism
• Undesirable types of commercial recreation
• Local culture in rural or remote areas can be harmed
• Residents may become disconnected with their own community

19. Amateur sports
• Amateur sports are sports in which participants engage largely or
entirely without remuneration.
• The distinction is made between amateur sporting participants and
professional sporting participants, who are paid for the time they
spend competing and training.
• In the majority of sports which feature professional players, the
professionals will participate at a higher standard of play than
amateur competitors, as they can train full-time without the stress of
having another job.
• The majority of worldwide sporting participants are amateurs.

20. Difference- Amateur & Professional
Differences-
• Amateurs wait to feel inspired. Professionals stick to a schedule.
• Amateurs focus on goals. Professionnels focus on habits.
• Amateurs strive to achieve. Professionals strive to improve
• Amateurs stall after failure. Professionals grow after failure
• Amateurs live for opinions. Professionals live for the truth

21. Different commercial aspects
• Commercial Recreation: "The provision of recreation-related products or
services by private enterprise for a fee, with the long-term intent of being
profitable".
• Commercialized Public Recreation: "The provision of selected recreation-
related products or services by a governmental or nonprofit organization in a
commercial manner, with much or all of the costs covered by fees, charges or
other non-tax revenues".
• Entrepreneurial Recreation: "The actions of a recreation-related organization
that searches for trends and changes in its environment, then brings together
and manages resources to exploit those changes as an opportunity".

22. Different commercial aspects
• Tourism: "The activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside
their usual environment, for leisure, business or other purposes".
• Intrapreneur: One who takes responsibility for creating innovation of any kind
within an organization.
• Public-Private Recreation Continuum

23. Public vs Private
Public Recreation Private Recreation
Free & Necessary Service for Society Philosophical Orientation Profit-making
Social Welfare Movement and Conservation
Movement
Service and Ethics Origin Consumer Desire and Willingness to Pay
Tax Revenue Financial Base Private Capital Plus Fees Revenue
Governmental Bodies and Citizen Boards Originating Authority Individual Initiative
Should Be Open to Collective Community Interest Service Focus Can Focus on Any Market Segment

24. Types of commercial recreation- agents
Travel Industry: primary function is the movement of people and the provision of travel-related services.
Hospitality Industry: primary function the provision of accommodations, food and beverage and related amenities.
Local Commercial Recreation Industry: primary function is the provision of retail products, entertainment, and recreation programs for people in their home
communities.
Facilitators: these businesses support the three main industries.
Sports organizations and activities