During The Semester You Will Be Exposed To Readings And Assi

During The Semester You Will Be Exposed To Readings And Assignments Th

During the semester you will be exposed to readings and assignments that will allow for a better understanding of persons with diverse backgrounds. This course emphasizes leisure, sport, recreation, tourism and hospitality services for a multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-ethnic society, as well as for persons with disabilities. As the course explores the significance of play, recreation, and leisure throughout the life span it will focus on the impact of leisure delivery systems on diverse populations within our society.

Paper For Above instruction

During the semester, my practical experience was associated with a diversity-focused event organized under the organization named Philly Pride. The program was supervised by Denise Garlick and involved a variety of activities aimed at celebrating and supporting diverse populations, including individuals with different genders, sexual orientations, ages, and racial backgrounds. Participants in this event included members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies, volunteers, and support staff, encompassing individuals with disabilities such as mobility challenges and sensory impairments. Support staff played crucial roles, including event security, event coordination, and assisting attendees with disabilities to ensure accessible participation.

My duties encompassed multiple direct interaction roles during the event. Initially, I assisted the security team to maintain safety and order within the venue, helping monitor crowd behavior and supporting security personnel. As the event progressed, I helped a local shop that was selling photos and memorabilia by safeguarding the merchandise and ensuring the shop's safety, especially because the owner had left unexpectedly. My role also involved patrolling the entire event space, smiling at attendees to create a welcoming atmosphere, and offering assistance as needed, such as guiding visitors to facilities like restrooms and helping with photo arrangements. Toward the conclusion of the event, I contributed to clean-up efforts, helping to dismantle tables and chairs and ensuring the venue was left in good condition. This variety of tasks provided a comprehensive hands-on experience in event management and community engagement within a diverse setting.

This program was unique because it was tailored to foster inclusivity and acceptance among diverse populations, especially marginalized groups. The event’s marketing emphasized themes of unity, diversity, and accessibility, explicitly encouraging participation from individuals of all genders, ages, races, and abilities. Supplies and materials included accessible signage, assistive listening devices, and inclusive promotional materials that highlighted the event’s commitment to diversity. Policies for participation ensured that attendees with disabilities could access all activities and facilities without barriers, supported by support staff and volunteers trained in inclusivity and sensitivity. The event’s policies promoted equal participation, emphasizing respect and accommodations for all attendees, which made the experience enriching and representative of an inclusive society.

This experience vividly connects to concepts discussed in the fields of leisure, recreation, tourism, and hospitality. Specifically, it underscores the importance of inclusive service delivery in hospitality and tourism industries. The event demonstrated how diversity-sensitive programming and accommodations are critical for engaging marginalized populations effectively. According to Smith and Stewart (2019), inclusive hospitality practices that accommodate diverse needs foster community engagement and promote a positive reputation for organizations dedicated to social responsibility. Such practices are integral to the industry's shift toward becoming more inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive, aligning with the broader goals of tourism and hospitality sectors to serve diverse clientele and promote sustainable, equitable tourism experiences.

References

• Smith, A., & Stewart, W. (2019). Inclusive tourism policies and practices: Promoting diversity and accessibility. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 39, 176-184.
• Crandall, R. (2020). Accessibility and inclusion in recreational events. Leisure Sciences, 42(2), 123-138.
• Higgins-Desbiolles, F. (2018). The sustainability of tourism and its social implications. Annals of Tourism Research, 72, 227-239.
• Weiler, B., & Black, R. (2018). The role of tourism as a tool for social inclusion. Tourism Recreation Research, 43(2), 176-189.
• McKercher, B., & du Cros, H. (2018). Cultural tourism: The partnership between tourism and cultural resources. Routledge.
• Gibson, H., & Yiannakis, A. (2020). Tourism and recreation: From theory to practice. Routledge.
• Richards, G., & Wilson, J. (2019). Developing sustainable tourism: Policy and planning. Routledge.
• Müller, S. (2017). Diversity management in the tourism industry. Journal of Tourism & Hospitality, 6(2), 56-66.
• Page, S., & Connell, J. (2014). Tourism: A modern synthesis. CABI.
• Pizam, A., & Mansfeld, Y. (2019). Consumer behavior in travel and tourism. Routledge.