Amusement and Entertainment Theme Parks - Dissertation Example

?Theme DISSERTATION PROPOSAL FORM AN ENTERTAINMENT THEME PARK Order No. 522910 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Amusement and Entertainment Theme Parks are areas that people visit for some entertainment and they are also very popular among tourists who visit their country. In fact, the Entertainment and Tourism industry are interconnected and compliment each other. A Theme Park is also an Amusement Park but with a difference. A theme Park has all its settings, entertainment and attractions based on a central theme. Theme Parks follow a specific motif and designs rides and entertainment that are based on characters or situations that are closely related to one another. The landscaping, buildings and other attractions in the park use very specific themes such as Jungle life, Fairy Tales or the Wild West. Theme or Amusement Parks are constructed with an aim to provide good entertainment to large groups of people. These Parks are spread over a large area with a lot of attraction for children, for youth and also adults. Europe is considered to be a pioneer in Amusement Parks that evolved from pleasure gardens and fairs that entertained people during their leisure and recreation time. The world’s oldest Amusement park is Bakken, at Klampenborg, North of Copenhagen, Denmark that opened in 1583. In the United States, expositions and world fairs influenced the development of the Amusement Park industry. (Adams Judith A. 1991) In this research paper we are going to discuss about Theme Parks and the role they play in providing healthy and wholesome entertainment. PROJECT OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this project is to carry out an investigation on different theme Parks and to study and analyze its level of success or failure. This study would serve to give us a better understanding about Theme Parks and how they work and their contribution towards increasing the country’s economy. The other objectives of this study would include – To find the extent of entertainment offered by Theme parks. To find how it caters and satisfies people where leisure and relaxation is concerned. To investigate the dangers involved in visiting Theme Parks. To find out hoe Theme Parks work in certain sensitive areas. To investigate how Theme Parks are maintained for their neatness and cleanliness. PRELIMINARY LITERATURE REVIEW Media plays a pivotal role through advertising these amusement and Theme Parks. A lot of media coverage is not only given about the different attractions, amusement rides and scenic beauty of the Parks but also covers the dangers and disasters that occur at these parks. The media also raises concern about the injuries and fatalities that take place and fulfills the social duty of bringing it to the notice of the general public. (Braksiek RJ, Roberts DJ. 2002) sheds light on Amusement park injuries and deaths stating that increased reports about such fatalities, have urged proposed legislation in order to regulate this industry. The author specially makes mention of the severity of injuries caused by roller coaster rides such as subarachnoid hemorrhages, carotid artery thrombosis with stroke etc. (Braksiek RJ, Roberts DJ. 2002) Cindy Yoonjoung Heo and Seoki Lee (2009) shed light on the Theme Park industry’s revenue management (MR) applications and how they work. The authors explain that the theme park industry has great potential for enhancing its revenue by making use of essential RM strategies and techniques. In their study comparing the traditional RM industry such as hotels with that of the RM management of Theme Parks, the findings revealed that customers perceived ‘fairness’ in the RM practice when compared to the traditional RM made use of by the hotel industry. Cindy Yoonjoung Heo and Seoki Lee (2009) The authors suggest the adoption of RM used for Theme Parks because of the great potential to be highly successful. Yooshik Yoon, Dogan Gursoy and Joseph S. Chen enlighten us on the tourism development theory in relation to tourism that is encouraged because of Theme Parks. According to their research tourism is impacted by the level of support rendered by the local residents. According to (Davis, Allen & Consenza (1988), Getz, (1986) Perdue, Long & Allen (1990) the support from local residents for community tourism business impacts on the perception of tourism with regard to the economic, environmental, social and cultural elements. Tourism researchers believe that support from residents is closely linked to these elements and this integrated approach has a tremendous impact on resident support based on the influences and perceptions from various directions. According to the theory of social change, the local residents are most likely to participate in a collaborative tourism development ‘if the benefits of tourism exceed the perceived costs of tourism.’ (Davis, Allen & Consenza (1988), Getz, (1986) Perdue, Long & Allen (1990) Annie Johnson (2011) explains in the Nashville Business Journal that Theme Parks could be funded by either the Government or Private Developers. She gives us an example of a private developer such as ITEC Entertainment Corporation headed by Henderson, N.V which is a huge International Group of Entertainment Inc. This private company is going to build a Theme Park in the south of Nashville called ‘Festival Tennessee’. The Theme Park is adopting a mini- Disney theme and one of the special and unique attractions is a ride that the theme includes which is going down the Niagara in a barrel. (Annie Johnson 2011) RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The research methodology that would be used for this research study would broadly be based on the Questionnaire approach. Data for the study would be obtained from questionnaires that would be distributed among the participants and both qualitative and quantitative data would be collected. Questionnaires would be given to a crosssection of people from different age groups, in order to achieve the right outcomes. To help me use the right methodology for the study, I would make use of Mark Saunder’s indispensable book on ‘Business Research Methods at School of Management’ (2009) which would be practical and relevant to my research. Mark Saunders is a professor of Business Management whose comprehensive book on business matters describes in the most simple and logical way, how to achieve goals through strategic planning. Saunder’s book is very useful to business management student because it is a step by step guide on how to carry out extensive research and how to analyze and arrive at the right results. The research methodology would also make use of first hand information that would be collected through interviews by visiting important personnel in various Theme Parks and procuring important information on the maintenance and management of such parks. The methodology would also include the collection of important information from brouchers and handbills that are distributed by them. Questionnaire on Theme Parks Good day everyone! I am a student doing my Business Management studies and I am now in the course of conducting a market study on Theme Parks based on the perception of a proposed Theme Park. May I request you to please fill in the following questionnaire sincerely and to the best of your knowledge and ability? Name - (optional) Questionnaire 1. Have you ever visited a Theme Park? Yes/No 2. If yes, how many times have you visited? ---------- 3. Name the Theme Park you visited. ----------- 4. Name some of the Theme Parks in your city. ----------- 5. Tick the occasion during which you visit? a) Vacation b) Holidays c) Weekends d) Summer e) Special occasions f) Other 6. Tick the appropriate things that motivates you to visit a Theme Park a) Amusement rides b) The Ambience c) Different Experience d) To Relax e) Good food/beverages f) Friendly atmosphere g) Cheap entrance fee/ rides 7. How many times do you visit a Theme Park in a year? ---------------- 8. What special features do you expect in a Theme Park? a) Enjoyable b) Educational c) Uniqueness d) Fun e) Relaxing 8. How much would you be willing to spend in a Theme Park? ------------------ 9. If employed, what is your salary each month? ------------------ 10. What is your occupation? ------------------ SCHEDULE PLAN OF ACTIVITIES The schedule plan of activity would be as follows – 1. Planning of each field trip to a Theme Park. 2. Preparing the Questionnaire sheets and other necessary material. 3. Choosing the right candidates/participants for the project. 4. Obtaining a letter of consent from each participant. 5. Visiting the Theme Park and getting permission from its authorities. 6. Systematically getting the participants to fill in the questionnaire. 7. Collecting the data. 8. Analyzing the qualitative and quantitative data collected. References Adams Judith A. (1991) American Amusement Park Industry. The American Amusement Park Industry: A History of Technology and Thrills. Boston: Twayne Publishers. Braksiek RJ, Roberts DJ. Amusement park injuries and deaths. Ann Emerg Med. January 2002; 39:65-72. Cindy Yoonjoung Heo and Seoki Lee (2009) International Journal of Hospitality Management. Volume 28, Iss.3. pgs. 446 – 453 Davis, D., Allen, J., & Consenza, R. M. (1988). Segmenting local residents by their attitudes, interests and opinions toward tourism. Journal of Travel Research, 27(2), 2}8. Mark N.K Saunders (2009) Business Research Methods. University of Surrey. Financial Times Press. Pgs. 656 www.surrey.ac.uk/management/people/mark_saunders Theme Park Questionnaire www.spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pQL4VR Yoon, Y. et al., (1998). Determinants of urban residents+ perceived tourism impacts: Tourism Management. A study of the Williamsburg and Virginia Beach areas impacts: Tourism Management. A study of the Williamsburg and Unpublished master theses, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, VA. Internet Sources Theme Park www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/theme+park Define Theme Park www.travel-industry-dictionary.com/theme-park.html New Theme Park www.bizjournals.com/.../forget-theme-parks-im-going-to-outer.html Read More