Pending approval from the university administration, a minor in
adventure tourism should be available this fall through the
Hospitality and Tourism Management department. The curriculum project
will be the first of its kind in Michigan. Affiliate professor Robert
Robins said the concept of adventure tourism is fairly new and one of
the fastest growing segments of the industry.
"We all have demands on our time so more and more people
want their vacations planned for them and linked to their lifestyles,
hobbies and interests," Robins said. "They want to be
challenged; they want adventure and excitement with manageable
risk."
Robins said adventure tourism has its foundations in the
romantic era of exploration but has come into its own during the past
20 years as a definable segment of the tourism industry. As part of
his adventure tourism class, Robins said students learn about
operations management, marketing, cultural sensitivity and participant
motivations. But, students also have the opportunity to take trips and
experience what some vacationers want and need through sessions in
experiential learning.
In February, a group of students went to the Munising Ice
Climbing Festival where they climbed the frozen falls. "Ice
climbing was a blast and I felt safe," said Aaron Hagen, a senior
majoring in hospitality and tourism management. "It was
beneficial to watch and analyze how an event like the festival
operates and attracts people to the Upper Peninsula."
Senior Kehaulani Kehoe said ice climbing was challenging, but
the experience will help professionally. "Our class has had the
opportunity to experience many things," said Kehoe. "We've
taken part in geo-caching, scuba diving, kayaking and rock climbing."
Robins said while degrees in adventure tourism are common in
Europe, Canada and Australia, Grand Valley will be one of the few
universities in the U.S. to offer either a minor or a major in
adventure tourism.
Minor in adventure tourism to be considered
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