Zoo Tourism: The Need for More Research

Mason, Peter

doi:10.1080/09669580008667368

Cited by 84 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Jamieson (1985) has also questioned the ability of zoos to make a significant contribution to the breeding of endangered species due to their limited size in proportion to the requirements of larger animals. In addition, zoos have faced a barrage of criticism about animal welfare and animal rights in the last 30 years that have questioned their ability to act as productive agents of conservation (Mason 2000;Spedding 2000;Davey 2007) and had a negative impact on their public image (Holtorf 2008). This situation may not be helped when it is recognized that the majority of animals in most zoos are not endangered and therefore arguably not in need of conservation at the present time (Benbow 2004).…”

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confidence: 92%

The Public Face of Zoos: Images of Entertainment, Education and Conservation

2011

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Abstract:The contemporary justification for zoos is based on their ability to act as sites of wildlife conservation. Alongside this is the reality that zoos have historically been defined as sites for the entertainment of the general public and continue to be dependent on the revenue raised through visitor receipts. Consequently, zoos are, today, identified as sites of conservation, research, education, and entertainment. In recognition of this the aim of this paper is to assess the image that zoos are currently portraying to the general public to see how the different roles are advertised and how they sit alongside one another. The data for the research on which this paper is based was gathered via a content and semiotic analysis of the websites of 54 zoos spread throughout the world.The results indicate that the image zoos present to the public whilst incorporating a strong conservation message lacks depth. In addition, the image zoos present via their websites has a strong emphasis on entertainment. Based on the results of this paper it is suggested that zoos need to present their conservation credentials in more detail and ensure the entertainment message does not adversely affect transmission of the conservation or education one whilst at the same time continuing to attract sufficient visitors to ensure the economic viability of zoos.In addition, it is recognized that changing public perceptions of zoos requires these institutions to act together rather than independently when determining the overarching theme of the "zoo".

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confidence: 92%

The Public Face of Zoos: Images of Entertainment, Education and Conservation

2011

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“…When they are well-conceived and informed by sound research, communication efforts can instil positive attitudes toward wildlife and foster appropriate behaviour that yields benefits that not only can compensate for but can outweigh any negative aspects of keeping and exhibiting wildlife in captivity (Tribe, 2004). What is lacking, however, is evidence that zoos are successful in achieving such communication outcomes with visitors (Mason, 2000;Smith et al, 2008). More specifically, there is a lack of research on how different communication media and different interpretive techniques contribute to visitor outcomes.…”

Section: Does More Interpretation Lead To Greater Outcomes? An Assessmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent decades, many tourism operations, including captive wildlife attractions such as zoos, have become more interested in and concerned with being able to demonstrate their conservation credibility (Ballantyne et al, 2007;Mason, 2000;Rabb, 2004). For most tourism operations, this is due in part to a shift in community expectations of sustainable practice.…”

Section: Does More Interpretation Lead To Greater Outcomes? An Assessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does more interpretation lead to greater outcomes? An assessment of the impacts of multiple layers of interpretation in a zoo context

Weiler

Smith

2009

Journal of Sustainable Tourism

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This study investigates the relationship between level of exposure to interpretive media and the cognition, affect and behaviour of zoo visitors, i.e. what they report knowing, feeling and doing following their interpretive experience at the zoo. . Visitors were surveyed at the exit to a particular zoo experience, a recently-opened lion exhibit that uses an array of static and face-to-face interpretive media to convey messages about the difficulties faced by lions, particularly when they come into contact with humans. A validated self-report instrument consisting of 29 items was used to capture ten cognitive, affective and behavioural indicators or outcomes of the interpretation. The 288 respondents experienced between one and four different interpretive media, and the results on every one of the ten indicators reveal that visitors" reported cognitive, affective and behavioural outcomes were greater, many with statistical significance, as the number of interpretive media increased. The findings confirm and extend previous research which found the cognitive impact of interpretation was greater with multiple layers of interpretation, but also suggest the need for further research with other types of interpretive media on other visitors and in a wider range of sustainable tourism contexts.2 Does more interpretation lead to greater outcomes?

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“…Other forms of conservation, based upon deontological principles wherein conservation is perceived as a duty, do not require a direct human 'gaze' of wildlife with all of the possibilities for disruption that such viewing brings. Mason (2000) also alludes to such debate with specific reference to zoos by arguing that a need exists for more research into zoo tourism, and for identifying possible conflict between the educational, scientific and entertainment roles of zoos. Nonetheless, he also notes that arguably zoos can be 'considered as ecotourism attractions' (Mason, 2000: 338).…”

Section: Introduction: Zoos As An Attractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Zoo as Ecotourism Attraction – Visitor Reactions, Perceptions and Management Implications: The Case of Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand

Ryan¹,

Saward²

2004

Journal of Sustainable Tourism

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This paper reports results from a survey of 359 visitors to Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand. The questionnaire comprised items relating to motives for visiting the zoo, and evaluations of attributes, thereby permitting an importance-evaluation approach. The construction of the questionnaire was prompted by zoo management wishing to learn more about what motivated visits, and whether there were perceived deficiencies in visitors' experiences of the zoo. Like other studies (e.g. Turley, 2001) it was concluded that zoos represent an opportunity for family-based trips. However, while some opportunities exist for learning, on the whole visitors were not generally interested in acquiring detailed information about wildlife. Indeed, more importance was attached to the viewing of animals than to the recognition that possibly animals might require 'private places'. These findings prompt a discussion about the extent to which zoos might be able to replace or supplement trips to natural habitats as a means of viewing animals, and concludes that for this to happen significant changes in zoo layout would be required. Additionally, possible implications for zoo management are discussed.

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Zoo Tourism: The Need for More Research

Cited by 84 publications

References 6 publications

The Public Face of Zoos: Images of Entertainment, Education and Conservation

The Public Face of Zoos: Images of Entertainment, Education and Conservation

Does more interpretation lead to greater outcomes? An assessment of the impacts of multiple layers of interpretation in a zoo context

The Zoo as Ecotourism Attraction – Visitor Reactions, Perceptions and Management Implications: The Case of Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand

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