AN EXAMINATION OF THE RELATION BETWEEN RECREATIONAL PREFERENCES AND PROFESSION TENDENCIES: A RESEARCH ON UNDERGRADUATE TOURISM AND RECREATION STUDENTS

The purpose of this study is to reveal how often students of tourism and recreation participate in different recreational activities and how this correlates with their desire to work in the field of recreation. The study was conducted on individuals who studied in different departments of tourism management and recreation at Sakarya University. The data obtained by survey method, was analyzed by statistical methods. A significant difference was reported between the students of the two departments in the frequency of participation in active and passive recreational activities and in the field they desired to work in. The frequency of participation in active recreation indicated the degree of the desire to work in animation units of hotels, organization of nature sports, water sports and the field of recreation and animation. On the other hand, the frequency of participation in passive recreation significantly accounted for the desire to work in entertainment venues.