Motives for Practicing Active Sport Tourism by Students of Tourism and Recreation Degree Course

Introduction: The decisions made by tourists, connected with the trip outside the place of residence as well as choice of destination are related to fulfilling different types of needs. Research of the motives of undertaking tourist activity were conducted to a different extent as well as in different parts of the population so far, however there are no reports concerning the motives of practicing active sport tourism by students of tourism and recreation studies, people who in the future will be organizing the leisure and holiday. Aim: The aim of this work was to present the motives of practicing active sport tourism by students of tourism and recreation course. Materials and Methods: The study involved 484 people, including 200 women (55.7 %) and 159 men (44.3 %). The method of diagnostic survey was implemented. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: personal details and 10 questions relating to participation in physical recreation for all respondents. Five questions concerning forms and the organization of practicing active sport tourism were also formulated for people who declared participation in that kind of tourism. Moreover, 49 statements were conveyed regarding the motives of involvement in active tourism to which the respondents answered according to the 5-step “Likert Scale”. Results: Based on the survey and analysis of the literature it can be concluded that the most important role in making decisions about practicing active tourism among the surveyed students of tourism and recreation degree course were social factors: inclination for an active leisure with friends, the need for human contact and the health benefits of active sport tourism.