Using aquariums and their visitor experiences to promote ecotourism goals: issues and best practice

Mann, Judy; Vernon, Cynthia L.

doi:10.4337/9780857939975.00042

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Nature-based tourism is varied and does not necessarily imply responsible travel or conservation of the environment (Buckley, Pickering, & Weaver, 2003). Examples of different contexts studied in nature-based tourism from the perspective of an environmentally responsible approach are: a) National parks (Brown et al, 2010;Davenport, Borrie, Freimund, & Manning, 2002;Halpenny, 2010;Puhakka, 2010); b) Zoos (Ballantyne, Packer, Hughes, & Dierking, 2007;Fraser, 2010;Lukas & Ross, 2005;Smith, Ham, & Weiler, 2011;Swanagan, 2000); c) Aquariums (Ballantyne et al, 2007;Fraser, Gruber, & Condon, 2007;Hall, 1992;Kemmerly & Macfarlane, 2009;Mann & Vernon, 2013); d) Wild-life watching (Ballantyne, Packer, & Falk, 2011;Ballantyne, Packer, & Hughes, 2009;Ballantyne, Packer, & Sutherland, 2011;Smith et al, 2011); and e) Heritage places (Brown, 1999;Uriely, Israeli, & Reichel, 2002).…”

Section: Environmentally Responsible Behaviours and Nature-based Tourismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors that influence engagement in on-site environmentally responsible behaviours at music festivals

Alonso-Vazquez¹

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The study of on-site environmentally responsible behaviours at outdoor events is important because of the negative environmental degradation that may be caused when hosting these events. Studying these behaviours is especially important at music festivals that are held in protected areas, and/or for festival managers who have an interest in controlling the events' negative environmental impacts. Despite recent interest by event managers in developing strategies to encourage attendees' environmentally responsible behaviours, this task is still a challenge because attendees may be disinterested in behaving pro-environmentally in the music festival context. Given this, event managers need to find novel ways to encourage attendees to participate more in on-site environmentally responsible behaviours.To contribute toward finding alternative ways to encourage more participation, this research investigated the major psychographic factors that influence attendees' engagement in on-site environmentally responsible behaviours at music festivals. To identify these factors, the following research activities were carried out: phone interviews with music festival managers (10 participants); two online questionnaires (pre-visit and post-visit to festivals) across multiple music festivals (1,313 and 420 participants, respectively); and on-site interviews with attendees at a three-day music festival located near an Australian national park (81 participants).The findings of this study reveal that event managers consider it important to build a proenvironmental culture into their event communities in order to capitalise on attendees' sense of community that may support environmentally responsible behaviours. The analysis also provides evidence of discrepancies between attendees' intentions to behave in an environmentally responsible way at the music festivals and their actual behaviours.Psychographic factors such as pro-environmental predisposition, self-identity as eco-friendly, festival attachment, place attachment, on-site management strategies, perceived benefits and barriers are all important contributors to attendees' on-site behaviours. Further, the study finds that some attendees exceed their intentions to behave responsibly towards the environment and that this is linked with their perceptions of the music festival's green status.Attendees also consider it important to behave in an environmentally responsible way on-site because of the benefits they perceive for the well-being of both the festival community and the environment. In terms of barriers to engaging in on-site environmentally responsible behaviours, the findings reveal that the main obstacle for attendees is the belief that their actions will not make a difference.These results are of great significance to event management settings and can contribute to the design of management strategies to encourage attendees' on-site eco-friendly behaviours.

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Section: Environmentally Responsible Behaviours and Nature-based Tourismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors that influence engagement in on-site environmentally responsible behaviours at music festivals

Alonso-Vazquez¹

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“…Marine ecotourism, which takes place in marine and coastal environments, has grown faster than most other forms of tourism (Eagles & McCool, 2002). It has been argued that both MPAs and aquariums could be considered to be on the continuum of marine ecotourism destinations (Mann & Vernon, 2013). Effective communication with such marine ecotourists-either in an MPA or an aquarium-is thus vital if MPAs are to receive the support needed for them to achieve their stated objectives.…”

Section: A Brief Background To Marine Protected Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding and Influencing Perceptions about Marine Protected Areas Through an Aquarium Exhibit: A Multi-phase Case Study from South Africa

Mann

Naidoo

Francolini

et al. 2023

Journal of Interpretation Research

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Visitors to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provide income and can help MPAs achieve their objectives, thereby contributing to the maintenance and restoration of ocean health. However, MPAs are less well known than terrestrial protected areas. Based at the uShaka Sea World aquarium in South Africa, this multi-phase case study sought to describe visitors’ knowledge of MPAs; use the information to design a new temporary interpretive exhibit on MPAs and then use timing and tracking to assess visitors’ engagement with the exhibit and a free response postcard system to assess the influence of the exhibit on visitors’ perceptions of MPAs. Initial survey results showed that visitors had little knowledge of MPAs. Assessment after installation revealed some surprising levels of engagement and the free response postcards showed positive perceptions and a deeper understanding of MPAs. The results provide recommendations to enhance communication and engagement strategies both in aquariums and MPAs.

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“…Aquariums are often viewed as part of the so called 'aquarium leisure industry' (Mann & Vernon, 2013;Penning et al, 2009), rather than as serious conservation organisations. The use of aquariums as attractions in areas with high visitor flows, including tourism precincts such as regenerated inner cities and docklands, shopping malls and hotels (Frost, 2011), and the perceived emphasis on "entertainment and distance over education and intimacy" (Jarvis, 2000:87, cited in Cater 2010, detracts from the fact that many aquariums play an important role in conservation and education initiatives, despite the efforts of leaders in the aquarium industry.…”

Section: The History Of Zoos and Aquariumsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the implications of cultural diversity for environmental learning at an African aquarium

Mann¹

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Zoos and aquariums, which are visited by over 700 million people each year, can play a vital role in exposing and sensitising visitors about the importance of environmental conservation and encourage them to engage in environmentally responsible behaviours after their visit. To attract visitors, zoos and aquariums offer a range of experiences that focus on the viewing of live animals. These may include animal presentations, personal interactions between staff and visitors, opportunities to physically interact with the animals and, most commonly, the use of interpretive signage. Most zoo and aquarium experiences are aimed at increasing visitors' awareness of, interest in and concern for environmental issues. To improve the design of visitor experiences, research is needed to evaluate the impact of a visit on visitor environmental learning outcomes, which are a major part of the zoo and aquarium raison

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Using aquariums and their visitor experiences to promote ecotourism goals: issues and best practice

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Factors that influence engagement in on-site environmentally responsible behaviours at music festivals

Factors that influence engagement in on-site environmentally responsible behaviours at music festivals

Understanding and Influencing Perceptions about Marine Protected Areas Through an Aquarium Exhibit: A Multi-phase Case Study from South Africa

Exploring the implications of cultural diversity for environmental learning at an African aquarium

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