There has been considerable debate whether the potential benefits of nature-based tourism can outweigh its much dreaded impacts on the ecological integrity of its natural venues. This paper argues that, under the currently prevailing socio-cultural conditions, nature-based tourism is an imperative feature of most areas of high conservation value, as it provides raison d'être and funding.
Fancied to be of even exceeding importance is its function as a communication platform reaching a broad audience. Best practice for effective interpretation has been repeatedly shown to result in reduced impacts on the spot, smothering claims for empirical substantiation of the intuitive notion, that visitors, aware of the consequences of their behaviours will adjust those accordingly. Wildlife tourism is spearheading this educationally based "soft" management approach, seemingly prising out the opposed to the "hard" physical and regulatory strategies, for a set of summarized characteristics predestining it.
Meanwhile sliding almost to oblivion, is the immense potential of interpretation to effectively spread environmental awareness and prudent behaviour beyond the scope of natural sightseeing in time and space. In its conclusion this paper tries to highlight some of the fundamental principles as well as main messages, interpreters should employ, to encourage especially long-term sustainable behaviour in visitors.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: On the necessity of tourism
2. Bringing out the best in visitors
3. The special case of wildlife tourism
4. From mindful visitors to mindful managers: The neglected take home message
5. At the core of things: The message itself
6. Conservation is a science
7. The whole picture: Ecological Integrity
8. Involvement, Responsibility and Consumer Power
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how nature-based and wildlife tourism can serve as an effective communication platform for environmental education. It explores whether strategic interpretation can foster long-term sustainable behaviors in visitors by bridging the gap between momentary recreational experiences and broader ecological responsibility.
- The role of "soft" management approaches, specifically environmental interpretation, in nature-based tourism.
- The unique potential of wildlife tourism to foster emotional connections and facilitate learning.
- Methods for conveying science-based conservation messages that encourage pro-environmental actions.
- Strategies to transform visitor satisfaction into lasting individual responsibility and conscious consumerism.
Excerpt from the Book
The special case of wildlife tourism
Depending on the activity type and setting, the effective reach of interpretation in altering visitor behaviors and perceptions in a desired manner, varies substantially. As in all sectors of nature-based tourism, management of visitor’s interactions with wildlife is largely dominated by physical and regulatory strategies (Orams, 1996b; Papageorgiou, 2001). However, wildlife tourism is one of the subcategories of nature-based tourism, where interpretation as a management strategy seems most promising and rewarding, as the majority of case studies speaking for the effectiveness of interpretation come from this sector (e.g.: Ballantyne, et al., 2008; Orams, 1997; Rodger, Moore, & Newsome, 2007; Woods, & Moscardo, 2003). The reasons for this, as well as for the growing popularity of the sector, reach back to the visitor’s self-conception in relation to nature.
The following assumptions apply for the `average wildlife tourism participant´, who is typically of western origin, rather well-educated and well-off. Two parallel schemes determine our emotional relation with wildlife and nature in general. First, there is a general feeling of commonness and connectivity, which is perpetuated by the biophilia hypothesis emphasizing our evolutionary contingent affiliation with other organisms (Wilson, 1984, as cited in Curtin, 2009), `a universal and genetically-encoded human yearning to connect and unite with nature´ (Kellert, 2007).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: On the necessity of tourism: Discusses the biophysical impacts of nature-based tourism and the shift from "hard" regulatory management to "soft" educational approaches.
Bringing out the best in visitors: Explores how interpretation can be used as an educational tool to reveal meanings and foster understanding, thereby changing visitor behavior.
The special case of wildlife tourism: Analyzes why wildlife tourism is uniquely suited for interpretive strategies due to the emotional connection participants feel toward charismatic species.
From mindful visitors to mindful managers: The neglected take home message: Argues that interpretive messages should extend beyond the site visit to influence behavior in the visitor's everyday life.
At the core of things: The message itself: Examines the challenge of formulating appropriate conservation messages and the importance of presenting conservation as a rational science.
Conservation is a science: Highlights the need for guides and operators to avoid trivialization and instead represent conservation as a credible, science-based profession.
The whole picture: Ecological Integrity: Suggests that interpretation should help visitors understand broader ecological interactions rather than just focusing on static park preservation.
Involvement, Responsibility and Consumer Power: Details how operators can encourage visitors to translate their wildlife experiences into concrete, sustainable actions and responsible consumerism.
Keywords
interpretation, sustainable tourism, wildlife tourism, conservation psychology, environmental education, visitor management, ecological integrity, nature-based recreation, behavioral change, charismatic species, flagship species, sustainability, conservation, eco-tourism, environmental awareness
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the potential of nature-based and wildlife tourism to serve as platforms for environmental education and long-term behavioral change in visitors.
What are the central themes of the study?
Key themes include the transition from regulatory "hard" management to interpretive "soft" management, the importance of psychological connection in wildlife viewing, and the role of the visitor in broader conservation efforts.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to highlight principles and messages that interpreters should use to encourage sustainable behavior in tourists, shifting them from casual observers to environmentally conscious individuals.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The paper provides a review and synthesis of existing literature on environmental interpretation, conservation psychology, and wildlife tourism management to propose a model for enhanced visitor engagement.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main sections cover the necessity of nature-based tourism, the design of effective interpretive messaging, the specific role of wildlife tourism, and strategies for fostering individual responsibility.
How would you characterize this work with keywords?
The work is defined by terms such as interpretation, sustainable tourism, wildlife tourism, conservation psychology, and environmental education.
How does wildlife tourism differ from other forms of nature-based tourism according to the author?
Wildlife tourism is uniquely positioned because of the emotional charge and biophilic connection that participants experience, making them more receptive to educational and conservation-oriented messaging.
What does the author mean by "soft" management approaches?
"Soft" management refers to educational strategies like interpretation that seek to influence visitor behavior through understanding and voluntary compliance, as opposed to "hard" management, which uses regulations, entrance fees, and physical barriers.
How can operators combat the "feeling of impotence" in visitors?
The author suggests that interpreters should provide a clear spectrum of contribution possibilities, showing visitors how their everyday choices—such as consumer habits—can make a tangible difference in global conservation efforts.
- Quote paper
- Alice Mercier (Author), 2010, Linking Conservation and Tourism. Potential and Fundamental Principles, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/914038
