The Dawn of the Leisure Era.As leisure-time pursuits dominate the U.S. economy by 2015, new business opportunities will grow by leaps and bounds. Leisure will begin to dominate jobs and economic activity in the United States-that is, account for the dominant share of gross domestic product-in 2015, when "free time" will occupy more than 50 percent of total individual lifetime activity. Businesses providing goods and services In economics, economic output is divided into physical goods and intangible services. Consumption of goods and services is assumed to produce utility (unless the "good" is a "bad"). It is often used when referring to a Goods and Services Tax. to meet leisure-time demands during the 21st century include recreation, hospitality, entertainment, and travel, to name just a few sectors. Savvy investors have begun shifting their bets to leisure-based enterprise. Attentive association executives will heed that lead and shift their organizational focus to accommodate these changes. (See sidebar, "What CEOs Can Do Now.") Specialized associations will also emerge to represent newly emerged activities. How has leisure advanced to the point that it is about to dominate advanced affluent nations? Consider the plethora of interests represented by this sector (see chart), including travel, entertainment, cultural pursuits, and hobbies such as gardening and reading. U.S. consumers spent $400 billion (about 8 percent of total consumption in 1995) just for entertainment. Whatever the overall amount, leisure-related pursuits represent high-growth activities that will escalate association representation requirements. The economic dominance of leisure time ushers in new attitudes, outlooks, and activity preferences. Work and spend behavior will be undercut as consumers finally sate their desire for "things." As materialism wanes, and experiences and self-development ascend, new business opportunities will grow by leaps and bounds. A historic pattern Leisure-time pursuits have been a part of human activity from the very outset and have increased as society progressed through each of the previous eras of economic activity. When agriculture began to develop about 8000 B.C., reduced hunting and gathering efforts freed perhaps 10 percent of lifetime activity for leisure; the productive output of agriculture freed nonfarm workers to pursue other interests. The importance of organized labor Organized Labor An association of workers united as a single, representative entity for the purpose of improving the workers' economic status and working conditions through collective bargaining with employers. Also known as "unions". cannot be understated. Between 6000 B.C. and 1500 A.D., craft specialization enabled as much as 17 percent of a lifetime to be devoted to leisure activities. By the 1600s, machines, mass production, and automation freed humans from still more drudgery, working time decreased, and more free time--18--23 percent of a lifetime-opened up for leisure pursuits. By the 1770s, water- and windpowered machinery, including primitive steam engines, got things done quicker and leisure time increased to more than 23 percent of a lifetime. During the 1990s, machines on the job and at home further reduced time required for both chores and work. Automation and mass production lopped off more working hours. Increased speed of producing everything-from processed foods to faster transport-enabled people in post-industrial societies to enjoy 41 percent of their lives in pursuit of other pastimes. Sometime prior to 2015, technological and organizational advances will reduce time at work and in the household. In addition, increased life expectancy Life Expectancy 1. The age until which a person is expected to live. 2. The remaining number of years an individual is expected to live, based on IRS issued life expectancy tables. and earlier retirement, fewer years devoted to rearing fewer children, and so on, will make it possible for more than 50 percent of a lifetime to be devoted to pursuing leisure interests. Providing goods and services to satisfy leisure-time undertakings will become the economic mainspring and focal point focal point n. See focus. for association activities as well. Less time spent on the job Time spent at work has steadily declined over the centuries--a trend whose end is not yet in sight. Workweeks have dropped from 72 hours during the late 1700s, to 69.8 hours in 1859, and to about 40 hours during the 1990s. Further reductions are indicated by 30- and 35-hour workweeks already established in Europe, and U.S. labor advocacy of 30- to 35-hour work weeks; 20-hour workweeks are also being debated. As voluntary response by business as well as mandated reduction in time spent on the job escalates, associations representing business interests and employee benefits will assume more important roles. Vacations also will grow longer. Americans, averaging 8.8 vacation days by 1986, and 12 days currently, will move toward 40 days by 3000. A harbinger har·bin·ger n. One that indicates or foreshadows what is to come; a forerunner. tr.v. har·bin·gered, har·bin·ger·ing, har·bin·gers To signal the approach of; presage. of things to come is exemplified by Finnish workers, who have enjoyed 37.5 days of vacation since the early 1990s. Holidays, which steadily have become more numerous, also expand leisure time. Federally recognized holidays in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. totaled 10 days in 1998. State and local jurisdictions often observe a few more. Other nations already enjoy up to 18 annual holidays. In a mosaic society, growing diversity of racial, ethnic, and religious groups readily suggest that commemorative days The following is a list of observed commemorative days, that is, days that are used by various governments, groups and organizations to raise awareness of an issue, commemorate a group or event, or celebrate something. can only increase. Leaves of absence, with or without pay, also will become more generous. Provisions for time off include voting, military or reserve-duty call-up, jury duty, medical appointments/sickness, funerals and bereavement Bereavement Definition Bereavement refers to the period of mourning and grief following the death of a beloved person or animal. The English word bereavement , personal leave, maternity leave maternity leave n → baja por maternidad maternity leave maternity n → congé m de maternité maternity leave maternity n , parental leave parental leave n. A leave of absence granted to a parent to care for a new baby. , and sabbaticals. Retirement trends have also increased leisure time. Age at retirement between 1950-1955 averaged 67 years, dropped to 63 years during 1985-1990, and to 60 years (mode) during 1994. Increased life expectancies add significantly to retirement years and leisure time. At the same time, because of increased life expectancies (if people retire at age 60 and live to 160, how would they spend their remaining 100 years?), it is almost certain that retirement age will rebound in years ahead. Less time spent on chores Trends on the home front also impact the availability of spare time. Decisions to have fewer or no children, for example, increase a couple's available leisure time. The number of persons per household has steadily declined, dropping from 5 to 7 persons during Colonial times to 2.64 at the end of 1997. This figure may decline further to 2.35 by 2020, and to 2.1 by 2050. Previously requiring the better part of a day to accomplish, household chores now can be executed swiftly and effortlessly by labor-saving household appliances and by third-party providers (lawn and garden services, maids, nannies, odd-job laborers). The ability to travel at increased speeds also frees up additional time. Instead of taking hours to walk five miles to and from the local village store, the trip today by car takes minutes. Just as with appliances, not only are motor cars used much more, but the trend is toward multiple cars per household. Servicing motor vehicles consumes time akin to what previously was spent on caring for, feeding, grooming, and sheltering animals and maintaining carriages and carts. Fast pace of life accelerates From five-minute oil changes to one-hour photo processing, dry cleaning dry cleaning, process of cleaning fabrics without water. Special solvents and soaps are used so as not to harm fabrics and dyes that will not withstand the effects of ordinary soap and water. Dry cleaning began in France about the middle of the 19th cent. , or eyeglass eye·glass n. 1. eyeglasses Glasses for the eyes. 2. A single lens in a pair of glasses; a monocle. 3. See eyepiece. 4. See eyecup. preparation, and from overnight courier service to instant faxes or e-mail, Americans demand instant everything. Phoning "take-out Take-out A cash surplus generated by the sale of one block of securities and the purchase of another, e.g., selling a block of bonds at 99 and buying another block at 95. Also, a bid made to a seller of a security that is designed (and generally agreed) to take the seller out of taxi" to fetch a meal from a restaurant of choice without ever leaving home, grabbing a meal at a drive-through fast-food window, shuttling children to restaurant birthday parties, and choosing cats over dogs because they require less care are all hallmarks of fast-paced lifestyles. Instant everything is ingrained in the American experience American Experience (sometimes abbreviated AmEx) is a television program airing on the PBS network in the United States. The program airs documentaries about important or interesting events and people in American history, many of which have won impressive . Harried Americans cram more tasks into given time slots by performing multiple tasks simultaneously. Travelers peruse pe·ruse tr.v. pe·rused, pe·rus·ing, pe·rus·es To read or examine, typically with great care. [Middle English perusen, to use up : Latin per-, per- a potboiler pot·boil·er n. A literary or artistic work of poor quality, produced quickly for profit. [From the phrase boil the pot, to provide one's livelihood. novel, prepare a business memo on a portable computer, and converse with seatmates while watching in-flight movies. Every waking moment is designed to deliver the most activities possible. Why do Americans feel pressured for time as they continue to gain more free time? This paradox involves differences in perception. Every generation always feels like its pace of life is speeding up. Indeed, it is. Americans want to get through an endless and ever-broadening stream of activities in short order with the net effect of not only doing more things, but also increasing leisure time. Time has become the pivotal measure of organizing modern-day living. How Americans spend time In broad strokes, persons living an average of 75-80 years center the first 18-25 years learning and getting an education, focus the next 35-40 years on earning a livelihood, and enjoy retirement in the remaining 15-20 years. Survey results reported in the 1994 University of Maryland University of Maryland can refer to:
Activity 1975 1985 TOTAL 38.3 40.1 TV 15.2 15.1 Visiting 5.5 4.9 Talking 2.2 4.3 Traveling 2.6 3.1 Reading 3.1 2.8 Sports/outdoors 1.5 2.2 Hobbies 2.3 2.2 Adult education 1.6 1.9 Thinking/relaxing 1.1 1.0 Religion 1.0 0.8 Cultural events 0.5 0.8 Clubs/organizations 1.2 0.7 Radio/recordings 0.5 0.3 Surprisingly, about one half of a person's lifetime is devoted to personal care and transportation--74 hours of the 168 hours available weekly. Included in personal care are sleeping, eating, clothing, and grooming. Travel occupies 10 hoursweekly--30 percent for work-related travel, 30 percent for child care and shopping, 30 percent for free-time pursuits, and the balance consumed by meals out and personal care. Sports interests set to soar As the millennium advances, adventuresome and thrill-seeking pursuits will boom, allowing individuals to test their capabilities to the limit and add excitement to homogenized ho·mog·e·nize v. ho·mog·e·nized, ho·mog·e·niz·ing, ho·mog·e·niz·es v.tr. 1. To make homogeneous. 2. a. To reduce to particles and disperse throughout a fluid. b. and humdrum lifestyles. Business opportunities involving specialized equipment, outfitting, instruction, and support services support services Psychology Non-health care-related ancillary services–eg, transportation, financial aid, support groups, homemaker services, respite services, and other services will burgeon bur·geon also bour·geon intr.v. bur·geoned, bur·geon·ing, bur·geons 1. a. To put forth new buds, leaves, or greenery; sprout. b. To begin to grow or blossom. 2. for waterjet scooters, snowmobiling, free-fall parachuting, "hotdog" skiing, daredevil snowboarding and skateboarding, as well as for mainstream indoor and outdoor pastimes. Surveys reveal sports and hobbies occupy about five hours per week (12 percent of free time), a proportion that will surge. Led by major associations such as the National Sporting Goods Noun 1. sporting goods - sports equipment sold as a commodity commodity, trade good, good - articles of commerce sports equipment - equipment needed to participate in a particular sport Association and the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) is a trade association that represents sporting goods manufacturers, retailers, and marketers. Founded in 1906, as of 2007 it had more than 1,000 members representing over 3,000 business locations and employing more than 375,000 , a huge array of special- interest organizations ranging from the American Recreational Golfers Association, American Sportfishing sport·fish·ing n. The sport of catching fish using a rod and reel. Noun 1. sportfishing - the act of someone who fishes as a diversion fishing field sport, outdoor sport - a sport that is played outdoors Association, Scuba Retailers Association, Ice Skating Institute The Ice Skating Institute (formerly the Ice Skating Institute of America) is a trade association for ice rinks, and also an international governing body for recreational figure skating. of America, and SnowSports Industries America--just to name a few--will flourish. Increased interest in outdoor activities of all kinds escalates the importance of associations such as the Audubon Naturalist Society or the Izaak Walton League The Izaak Walton League is an American environmental organization founded in 1922 that promotes natural resource protection and outdoor recreation. The organization was founded in Chicago, Illinois by a group of sportsmen who wished to protect fishing opportunities for future of America. When leisure-related interests increase to the point that exclusive needs transcend those of an umbrella group, specialized associations advancing a narrow range of member interests will begin to emerge. Apparel interests, for example, will likely experience growth in sport-related specialty spin-offs, ranging from skiing to swimwear. Travel and tourism has become the nation's third largest retail industry (1996) outpaced only by automobiles and food stores. Accounting recently (1997) for 11 percent of world GNP GNP See: Gross National Product (gross national product),that proportion will only increase as affluent Americans have the wherewithal where·with·al n. The necessary means, especially financial means: didn't have the wherewithal to survive an economic downturn. conj. Wherewith. pron. Wherewith. to see, firsthand, other parts of the world. China is destined des·tine tr.v. des·tined, des·tin·ing, des·tines 1. To determine beforehand; preordain: a foolish scheme destined to fail; a film destined to become a classic. 2. to become the world's top-ranked tourist destination A tourist destination is a city, town or other area the economy of which is dependent to a significant extent on the revenues accruing from tourism. It may contain one or more tourist attractions or visitor attractions and possibly some "tourist traps". by 2020, hosting 137 million tourist visits; the second-ranked United States is estimated to host 102 million visitors. Associations representing leisure-time destinations, such as the National Recreation and Park Association, American Recreation Coalition, and American Youth Hostels The American Youth Hostels, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1934, whose formal name is Hostelling International USA (abbreviated "HI-USA"). It is the American member of Hostelling International. It is incorporated in Albany, New York. , will assume new importance in this changed environment emphasizing leisure pursuits. Membership demands imposed on travel-related associations, such as the Cruise Lines
Name Headquarters A'rosa Europe NCL America America AIDA Cruises Europe American Cruise Lines America International Association, Travel Industry Association of America, American Society of Travel Agents ASTA, short for the American Society of Travel Agents, claims over 20,000 members in 140 countries. Its members include travel agents and companies who offer travel products, such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc. , Adventure Travel Society, American Sightseeing International, Tourist Railway Association, Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, and Ecotourism e·co·tour·ism n. Tourism involving travel to areas of natural or ecological interest, typically under the guidance of a naturalist, for the purpose of observing wildlife and learning about the environment. Society, will escalate to new heights. Catering to specialized needs for each of these interests will require a powerful presence. Hospitality revenues soared from $3 trillion in 1989, to $4.3 trillion by 2000, and may reach $5.8 trillion by 2005. Online travel revenue growth, which totaled less than $1 billion in 1997, rose to more than $4 billion by 2000, and will double again to more than $8 billion by 2002. Persons unable to make distant and time-consuming trips will enjoy attractions at nearby theme parks, indoor ski runs, and enormous pools--complete with manmade waves, sandy beaches, and tropical palms. Association staffs ranging from the American Hotel and Motel Association and the National Bed and Breakfast Association to the Dude Ranchers Association will grow to meet member needs. For some, leisure interests will be devoted to maximizing self-development, inner potential, and mastery of new skills ranging from gourmet cooking to martial arts This is a list of martial arts, broken down by region and style. African martial arts Eritrea
Many believe that better educated, higher income, and otherwise privileged elites enjoy more leisure than the average laborer. Just the opposite is true. The reality is that they do get the better jobs, but these jobs are demanding and require a greater sense of dedication than a "9 to 5" mindset mind·set or mind-set n. 1. A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person's responses to and interpretations of situations. 2. An inclination or a habit. . They also spend more time commuting to and from work, devote more time to caring for their children (despite the fact they have fewer children upon whom to lavish their nurturing), sleep less, and spend less time grooming. Higher-income earners do tend to spend more time than others on reading, cultural events, educational pursuits, and fitness efforts and less time pursuing the great American pastime--watching television. Studies reveal that TV watching and communication technologies--consistent with demands implicit in Adj. 1. implicit in - in the nature of something though not readily apparent; "shortcomings inherent in our approach"; "an underlying meaning" underlying, inherent the information era--dominate free time. Average daily television watching per household increased from 4 hours, 35 minutes in 1950 to 7 hours, 4 minutes in 1992, and 7 hours, 28 minutes during February 1997 (Nielson Media Research). Competition among information and "edutainment" providers will spawn more than 1,000 audiovisual media channels to choose from. Meeting consumer interests will dominate the agendas of associations like the National Association of Broadcasters, National Cable Television Association, Recording Industry Association of America, and National Association of Theatre Owners, to mention just a few among the hundreds of associations championing these special interests. Keep up or get left behind As older economic sectors mature, the economic importance of "yesterday's industries" wane and new sectors step in to fill the breach. Unable to compete, as constituted, survival may require consolidation, entering new markets, or engaging in other fields. Corporations that want to survive remake themselves by focusing on undertakings with more promising economic prospects. After making these changes, association representation soon follows. Consider photography, a popular leisure-time interest, which is now shifting from paper to digital formats. This development dictates a shifting relationship among traditional suppliers--and the associations that represent them. Aggressive associations, in some cases, may help to pave the way and secure sound foundations for new undertakings. In one form or another, massive changes triggered by the Leisure Era are just around the corner for all associations. Graham T. T. Molitor is vice president and legal counsel, World Future Society, Bethesda, Maryland Bethesda is an urbanized, but unincorporated, area in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, just Northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a church located there, the Bethesda Presbyterian Church, built in 1820 and rebuilt in 1850, which in turn took its name from , and president, Public Policy Forecasting, Potomac, Maryland Potomac is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It includes the ZIP Code 20854 for properties and 20859 for US Post Office Boxes. . What CEOs Can Do Now How can association executives prepare their organizations for a leisure economy that will become increasingly dominant over the next 15 years, especially if their industry or profession is not linked directly to leisure-based enterprises? Here are some questions that chief executive officers can ask their boards to begin discussing. * Are members aware of this trend? * How will increased leisure time affect how members do business? * How can we capitalize, in terms of new products and services, on the trend toward increased leisure time? * Do we currently monitor members' leisure-time pursuits? If not, should we begin doing so, and how will we use the data? * Should we position our volunteer opportunities differently in light of the coming leisure era? * How will a leisure economy affect the planning of conventions and seminars? * Should we establish a member committee to address accommodating the growing importance of leisure time into routine activities? |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion