Zoo Tourism: What Actually Is a Zoo?

Abstract

Zoos are one of the most visited tourist attractions worldwide - we should perceive them, therefore, not only as places where animals are kept, but also as places frequented by large numbers of people. This is why we talk of zoo tourism. However, there are different definitions of a zoo. This wide range of possible approaches to what actually the zoo is poses a major methodological problem for the research analysis as well as for the zoo management and related legislation. Zoos are historically and socially determined. We can talk not only about the evolution of zoos but also about the co-evolution of zoos alongside many types of zoos. Nowadays, there is no doubt that there is a large number of modern and naturalistic zoos oriented on conservation, but there are also many zoos designed as popular animal-based attractions where animals live in unsuitable conditions. The principal aim of this article is to introduce and discuss problematic approaches to what zoos are and to suggest a use of a wider zoo definition.

Potential of Income Increase Obtained From Visitors’ Perception and Behaviour Towards Serulingmas Wildlife Recreation Park Banjarnegara

“…The education level of visitors at the secondary and higher education levels showed the characteristics of visitors as the basis for developing insight and knowledge, especially related to animal conservation, for example through research activities and educational tours. Nekolny and Fialova (2018) stated that a zoo is a special cultural and educational facility that has four main tasks, namely: conservation of endangered species, science and research, education, and human recreation. Collins et al (2019) added that currently intervention in the world of education is an effort to reduce negative behavior of visitors and improve animal welfare positively.…”

Attendance and Perceived Constraints to Attendance at Zoological Gardens during the Spring 2020 COVID-19 Re-Opening: The Czechia Case

“…In addition to the 15 traditional zoos founded before 1989, 14 official zoos were established after 1989, but one of them (Terarium Praha) had actually been closed to the public since the spring of 2019. For the sake of comparability, only zoos considered as zoological gardens according to the Nekolný and Fialová [32] typology were included in the research. Thus, indoor exhibitions such as aquariums and terrariums with another regime of re-opening were excluded.…”

“…Some animal houses can even experience a long-term change in their visitor numbers [30]. Methodology (e.g., including paying vs all visitors, annual passes) can also be important [31,32].…”

The Contribution Value of Conservation Institution to Animal Welfare Aspects at Serulingmas Wildlife Recreation Park, Banjarnegara

“…Conservation institutions are special cultural and educational facilities with four main tasks: conservation of endangered species, science and research, education, and human recreation (Nekolny and Fialova 2018). Collins et al (2019) revealed that the current intervention in the world of education is an effort to reduce negative visitor behavior and improve animal welfare.…”