The Substitutability Concept: Implications for Recreation Research and Management

Projecting future use of the national forest wilderness system

“…These findings are in agreement with the statement by Hendee and Burdge (1974) that "activities for which there are no substitutes tend to be area-based such as in wilderness and natural or historical areas. "…”

“…"The substitutability concept refers to interchangeability of recreation activities in satisfying participants' motives, needs, and preferences" (Hendee and Burdge, 1974). Substitutability is a two-edged sword, however.…”

“…Such projections might then be erroneously used as a basis for unnecessary increases in the wilderness system. Conversely, if substitute activities do not exist, such knowledge is important to prevent "foreclosing opportunities which would completely disfranchise habitual users and unique values, creating a far more serious impact than if substitutes are available" (Hendee and Burdge, 1974).…”

“…If there are effective substitutes for wilderness-type recreation, failure to account for them will almost certainly lead to projected demand in excess of actual demand. Alternatively, if there are no substitutes for wilderness recreation, this should be made apparent to prevent policies which "...would completely disfranchise habitual users and unique values, creating a far more serious Impact than if substitutes are available" (Hendee and Burdge, 1974).…”

Proceedings--symposium on recreation choice behavior

“…The most commonly accepted definition of activity substitutability is "the interchangeability of recreation activities in satisfying people's needs, motives, and preferences" (Hendee and Burdge 1974). Factor or cluster analyses have generally been used to construct activit-y groupings based on empirical intercorrelations.…”