Critical Analysis and Further Research Plan: Moorhouse et al. (2015): “The Customer Isn’t Always Right – Conservation and Animal Welfare Implications of the Increasing Demand for Wildlife Tourism” 1) Critical Analysis Introduction In the above paper, Moorhouse et al. aim to independently assess different types of non-consumptive Wildlife Tourist Attraction (WTA), excluding zoos, for their implications on species conservation and welfare. They also compare the opinions of visitors to the attractions, using reviews left on TripAdvisor, with the results of their review. The general conclusion of the study is that WTAs have many negative effects that tourists are unaware of and that there is a need for much better public education on this …show more content…
(2015) assigned separate conservation and welfare scores to each WTA type that they identified. They then assigned tourist dissatisfaction scores to each WTA type based on tourist reviews on TripAdvisor. They used these results to compare tourist opinion to the genuine conservation and welfare statuses of the attractions. Analysis of Results With relation to the current research in its field, this study by Moorhouse et al. (2015) presents a particularly new view and there is very little that it can be effectively compared to. Tourist dissatisfaction scores were assigned as percentages and were not distinguished between conservation and welfare. These scores were set next to each other in a table that allowed clear comparison, though not all WTA types had sufficient tourist review data for a percentage dissatisfaction score. This significantly reduces the number of WTAs that have been used to conclude a low dissatisfaction percentage. In addition, it brings in to question the reliability of TripAdvisor as a source for assessing tourist opinion - 9 of the 24 WTA types were not given a dissatisfaction score. TripAdvisor also may present a level of bias, since tourists self-select, therefore strong positive or negative opinions may be favoured. As suggested in the paper, this bias may be partially avoided by an in situ questionnaire style investigation, though perhaps not entirely. Upon examination of the S1
Tourism is the world’s largest industry with nature-based ecotourism seeing rapid growth since its initial arrival in the 1980s. It is estimated by the World Tourism Organisation that nature tourism generates 7% of all international travel expenditure (Lindberg, 1997) and this figure will have increased rapidly over recent years. It’s increase in popularity is due to a number of factors; tourists becoming increasingly bored of the typical sun, sea and sand holiday’s, the increase in global awareness or environmental issues such as global
THESIS: Within the 10,000 zoos in America, hundred, 214 to be exact, have and continue to gain accreditation to become a public animal advocacy to protect and maintain animal species for years to come and through their efforts, they can better educate the civilians who enjoy visiting such attractions.
Trophy hunters often claim that their hunting produces economic and conservation benefit. Trophy hunting brings in some capital to African countries. “It makes up 1.8 percent of tourism revenues”(Schelling). The majority of tourists come to see Africa’s wildlife and nature. Come with the intention of seeing and experiencing new things. Trophy hunting major importance to conservation in Africa is creating economic incentive. “Eco-tourism on private game reserves generates more than 15 times the income of livestock or game rearing or overseas hunting” ( Kernodle). Tourism makes a lot more money than killing and destroying animal habitats. Hunting can interfere with the ecotourism by interacting and making animals upset to the point where tourists cannot view them. Keeping
In this paper I discuss the creation, distribution, and results of a psychological test. The test consisted of knowledge and self-report sections, which tested the construct of “The AZA and Zoos”. According to their website, The Association of Zoos and aquariums (AZA), is an independent, non-profit organization that grants an optional accreditation to zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries. Institutions that meet their strict standards for animal welfare and care after a series of inspections and interviews are granted a five-year accreditation. In addition to their standards for animal care, they are also invested in conservation of species, and education of the general public (AZA, 2016). The knowledge portion evaluated general knowledge of the AZA policies and procedures, while the self-report evaluated overall opinion on Zoos. An example item for the knowledge portion was item three “An AZA accreditation is not necessary to operate a zoo “. An example item for the self-report portion was item 32 “I think zoos are a positive enrichment activity for children “. The intended survey population for this survey was the general population.
▪ Weakening Tourism Market – A heavy reliance is placed on the tourist dollar and if this falls it can have a gross affect on the zoo as a whole
“Before the early twentieth century, zoos would separate humans from the animals by using a series of moats. In the early 1900s, however, zoos “began displaying animals in realistic exhibits that mimicked actual habitats” (Gioielli, 2016, p. 1). Coupled with the more natural habitat is advancing care for the animals in captivity. More hospitals are being built for animals and better medicine is being created constantly. As a result of healthier and happier animals in increased popularity of animals in captivity. According to Carey (2016), “More than 10,000 zoos are now in operation worldwide . . . the central missions of zoos [are] not only to serve as attractions for recreation and amusement, but also to educate people and promote conservation . . .” (p. 2). Most people do not go to see animals in captivity for the sole purpose of entertainment, they also go to learn about the animals themselves. Both children and adults can learn about how to help protect endangered animals and their habitats. As a result, zoos and aquariums are continually gaining popularity. According to Gazert (2017), “Zoos and aquariums draw 181 million visitors per year in the United States--that’s over half the country’s population, and more visitors than the annual attendance of the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB games combined” (p. 2). Unfortunately, some zoos and aquariums have been known to abuse their animals. While this is not true of all zoos, but the reports of abuse have increased leading to more controversy. Because of this the idea of keeping animals in captive is harder to accept. Still, the sad truth is that animals may have to be in captivity in order to save their species. “A recent report from the World Wildlife Fund warned that without swift and substantial human intervention, over two-thirds of the world’s wildlife could be gone by the end of the decade” (Ganzert, 2017, p. 1). Predictions
There are currently more than 6000 lions in 200 breeding farms across the country, and more than 1000 lions are hunted each year. Along with the hunters who participate in this barbaric ‘sport’, are tourists who are unknowingly, and misleadingly contributing to the Canned Hunting industry through their volunteerism at these breeding
But a study performed by the University of Arizona, found that 86 percent of the visitors went to the zoo for “social or recreational purposes,” and only six percent went to a zoo in order to learn more about animals. One can learn much better about a bear’s life through a documentary than having that same bear in a concrete prison. Many people liken zoos to a paradise for animals - a blissful place where animals are not compelled to struggle for food or run away from predators. If that were the case, given the chance, animals wouldn’t have escaped from their captivity in numerous instances. Every aspect of their lives is manipulated and controlled, from what they can eat, to when they can sleep. The convention of equating zoos with theme parks has maintained the status quo of these cruel
When it comes to the topic of ecotourism, most of us will readily agree that it is a less harmful alternative to mass-tourism and that it promotes responsible and low-impact travel to areas where flora, fauna and cultural heritage are the primary drawing power. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of what the impact of ecotourism actually is and what its long-term consequences are. Whereas some are convinced that ecotourism provides the basis for sustainable development, particularly in places that suffer from exploitation and excessive resources’ usage, and that could only improve the general conditions of the local people, others maintain that we are still far from true ecotourism, for many are those in the
Besides that, tourist love wildlife tourism because they want to learn more about nature, be physically active, meet people that share similar interest and learn outdoor skills (Kretchman & Eagles, 1990). The tourist can meet more people when they are visiting the same destination. They also can share their experience and knowledge with each other because they share the similar interest. Furthermore, tourist also could be physically active by joining the wildlife activities. A lot of the activities required a lot of skills that we usually don’t do such as diving, snorkeling, horse riding or jungle trekking.
The use of natural resources to attract tourists, if successful, leads to the obligation of an infrastructure upon ‘nature’. Over time, it is the manmade structures that maintain the desirability of the tourist resort, not the natural features that prompted the original.(Ryan, 1991) Thus by focusing too much on attracting tourists
As mentioned by Rimmington & Morrison (2009), the assistance from different parts of the world presents a new and diverse outlook for future research including theoretical innovations and revelations, cultural and environmental aspects, tourist destination and other ecotourism and recreational aspects of tourism and hospitality industry (Brotherton,
One of the biggest factors effecting the Simpona lemur population is tourists. Although tourists come to marvel on the beautiful agriculture and species that make up Madagascar, they are unfortunately contributing to the decline of the Simpona lemur. As the tourist rates increase destination resorts increase, which then leads to reduced land for wildlife. Tourists are wanting to reside within the forest to be “immersed” in the environment and have the ability to see the wildlife from the comfort of their hotels (Simpona). This has meant deforestation had to occur to make room for hotels located within or right near the undamaged forest. As a result this leads to people questioning why they would go to the extent of damaging the forests and reducing the population of lemurs for the tourists. This is a result of tourism having a major role in the economy. Tourism is a crucial part of Madagascar’s economy and without tourism the economy would plummet. This country has become so reliant on attracting tourists that it has become one of its biggest forms of income (WWF - Endangered Lemur Fights for Survival in Madagascar). Due to tourists being interested in the island's biodiversity Madagascar has attracted visitors for various reasons ranging from family vacations to scientific research. However, the main
From an environmental perspective, it is apparent that the world is starting to realise that increases in tourism are having a negative impact on the environment. This is due to increases in energy consumption, which in turn heightens the effects of global warming (Neto, 2002). There are many controls that governments are trying to put into place, such as flight rationing (Liverpool Business School, 2009). However, it can be argued that these have not really begun to have a significant effect on tourism, as they are still insufficient to dampen demand. It may become a problem in future years, as the number of controls is likely to increase. Perhaps the largest environmental factor would be natural disasters, like Hurricane Katrina (Cashell, 2005) and the tsunami that hit Asia in December 2004 (Birkland, 2006). These will impact negatively on people’s confidence in visiting places that have been hit severely by such disasters.
However, some studies indicate that tourists might have cultural, social, economic and environmental impacts on the local residents. In fact, these recent studies have awakened