Adult volunteers at heritage tourism sites : a study of characteristics and motivations /

by Babka, Christine M.

ADULT VOLUNTEERS AT HERITAGE TOURISM SITES: A STUDY OF CHARACTERISTICS AND MOTIVATIONS Christine M. Babka One hundred fifty-eight adult volunteers aged 18 and older at 17 heritage tourism sites in northern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania completed a paper questionnaire during summer 2003. The data was analyzed to identify basic volunteer characteristics and motivations, benefits, constraints and facilitators, social implications, activity and place attachment and the levels of satisfaction, commitment and interest and participation in heritage information. This research produced a 27-item heritage tourism volunteer motivation model and other measurement tools that followed previous research literature methods including the Volunteer Function Inventory (VFI). Common themes for heritage tourism volunteers are altruistic, self-improvement, social, selfinterest and site-related. This research is useful for volunteer recruitment and retention programs. iii