For most visitors, guided tours are the only way to experience a cave. Since few studies have been conducted in these settings, there is no explanation for a recent decline in attendance at many well-known caves and caverns across the United States. A mail-back survey was administered to 660 visitors at Mammoth Cave National Park to learn more about the social aspects of visitation, focusing on those who took at least one guided tour. Results showed a low level of crowding, along with high approvals and value for the fee paid. Some possible strategies were mentioned to reverse the decline in cave tour attendance.
AndersonD., & BrownP. (1984). The displacement process in recreation.Journal of Leisure Research, 16, 61–73.
2.
BultenaG., & KlessigL. (1969). Satisfaction in camping: A conceptualization and guide to social research.Journal of Leisure Research, 1, 348–364.
3.
CignaA., & BurriE. (2000). Development, management and economy of show caves.International Journal of Speleology, 29 (1), 1–27.
4.
CulverD., HobbsH., ChristmanM., & MasterL. (1999). Distribution map of caves and cave animals in the United States.Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, 61 (3), 139–140.
5.
DavidsonP., & BlackR. (2007). Voices from the profession: Principles of successful guided cave interpretation.Journal of Interpretation Research, 12 (2), 25–43.
6.
DillmanD. (2007). Mail and internet surveys: The tailored design method.New York: J. Wiley.
7.
DoorneS. (2000). Caves, cultures, and crowds: Carrying capacity meets consumer sovereignty.Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 8 (2), 116–130.
8.
DorfmanP. (1979). Measurement and meaning of recreation satisfaction: A case study of camping.Environment and Behavior, 11, 483–510.
9.
GilliesonD. (1996). Caves: Processes, development, and management.Cambridge, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishers, Inc.
10.
HeberleinT., & ShelbyB. (1977). Carrying capacity, values, and the satisfaction model: A reply to Greist.Journal of Leisure Research, 9, 142–148.
11.
HendeeJ., StankeyG., & LucasR. (1990). Wilderness Management.Golden, CO: North American Press.
12.
LaPageW. (1983). Recreation resource management for visitor satisfaction.Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 1, 37–44.
13.
ManningR. (1985). Crowding norms in backcountry settings: A review and synthesis.Journal of Leisure Research, 17, 75–89.
14.
ManningR. (2011). Studies in outdoor recreation: Search and research for satisfaction.3rd ed.Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press.
15.
ManningR., & CialiC. (1980). Recreation density and user satisfaction: A further exploration of the satisfaction model.Journal of Leisure Research, 12, 329–345.
16.
ManningR., & ValliereW. (2001). Coping in outdoor recreation: Causes and consequences of crowding and conflict among community residents.Journal of Leisure Research, 33 (4), 410–426.
17.
MillerT., & McCoolS. (2003). Coping with stress in outdoor recreational settings: An application of transactional stress theory.Leisure Sciences, 25, 257–275.
NoeF. (1987). Measurement specification and leisure satisfaction.Leisure Sciences, 9, 163–172.
21.
NorthupD., MobleyE., InghamK., & MixonW. (1998). A guide to speleological literature of the English language, 1794–1996. St. Louis: Cave Books.
22.
SchneiderI., & StanisS. (2007). Coping: An alternative conceptualization for constraint negotiation and accommodation.Leisure Sciences, 29, 391–401.
23.
ShelbyB., BregenzerN., & JohnsonR. (1988). Displacement and product shift: Empirical evidence from Oregon rivers.Journal of Leisure Research, 20, 274–288.
24.
StankeyG., & McCoolS. (1984). Carrying capacity in recreational settings: Evaluation, appraisal, and application.Leisure Sciences, 6, 453–473.
25.
StokolsD. (1972). On the distinction between density and crowding: Some implications for future research.Psychological Review, 79, 275–277.
26.
SwayneL., LittlejohnM., MorganM., & HollenhorstS. (2007). Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Study. Report 177. Moscow, ID: Park Studies Unit.
27.
Tian-ColeS., CromptonJ., & WillsonV. (2002). An empirical investigation of the relationships between service quality, satisfaction and behavioral intentions among visitors to a wildlife refuge.Journal of Leisure Research, 34, 1–24.
28.
WagarJ. (1964). The carrying capacity for wild lands for recreation.Forest Science Monograph, 7, Washington, DC: Society of American Foresters.
