Education And Interpretive Programs example essay topic

"Interpretation is a way of making the tourist experience more memorable, more meaningful and more satisfying". Do you agree? Argue your case by using the field trip as a case-study. Interpretation in tourism is very important in the tourist experience for "mass tourism has accentuated many of the negative aspects in tourism". It is here interpretation is important for "many of the negative environmental consequences of tourism can be mitigated by effective planning and regulation" Interpretation comes about by learning and gaining information before traveling and while traveling. It is through the learning techniques of written material, travel promotions / brochures, educational centers, visitor services / centers, written material, signage, tour guides, etc., that interpretation can take place.

Minnamurra Rainforest is an example of how interpretation can be demonstrated to make the tourist experience more meaningful and satisfying in the way it displays its unique environment to tourists. Interpretation is the "educational process undertaken with the intent of developing (or enhancing) an individual's understanding of aspects of an area's cultural, natural or built environments. This process will commonly be facilitated by guides and / or on site signage" As Staiff informs, interpretation can exist on 3 levels, all happening simultaneously. The first level is the information level.

The questions such as what? who? when? , etc. are asked. The second level is the analysis level where the motives are questioned i.e. function? narrative? why? what is the story? gaining an explanation of the types of stories... scientific, cultural, etc. The final level is the significant level. Here the explanations are the emotional, psychological, socio-cultural, historical, the conservation and preservation issues and scientific significance of the subject the object / site /place is seen from the wider view. It is from these levels that interpretation is a way of making the tourist experience more memorable, more meaningful and more satisfying.

As a tourist, traveling is. ".. broadening one's outlook, educational benefits, and social and even spiritual benefits... ". that needs interpretation to make the tourist (culture) experience more memorable and more meaningful; in that they can understand what they are learning therefore they will remember, and more satisfying in that they can grow in the knowledge. This can be seen at Minnamurra Rainforest, where a visitors center has been established, providing a link between the rainforest "and the visitor through targeted information, education and interpretive programs. These services encourage appreciation, and advance understanding of the plants and plant communities... ". The center is ideally located for entry is needed before exploring the rainforest on the boardwalk. The centre provides many programs "to stimulate interest and awareness" visual and orally, in preparation of exploring the rainforest making the tourist experience more memorable and satisfying.

Interpretation is "making meaning of our experiences."Information, education and interpretation are all examples of indirect management strategies. Rather than dictating to the public what they may and may not do, these strategies help managers to change visitor attitudes and / or explain the need for certain regulations". This interpretation technique of indirect management strategies can be seen at the Minnamurra Rainforest Visitors centre. An educational video is available for the public to see, demonstrating the aims of the environmental education and interpretation management of natural environments according to Sharpe as; "assisting the visitor in developing an awareness, appreciation and understanding of the area they are visiting in order to make the visit an enjoyable experience; to accomplish management goals through the thoughtful use of the recreation resource on the part of the visitor; and to promote a public understanding of the management agency and its policy".

This ultimately making the tourist experience more meaningful, and creating tourist satisfaction. In tourism "we have to satisfy the tourist or no business or destination will be sustainable". Conversely, from the point of view of the physical environment, what satisfies the tourism market is often against the interests of sustainable tourism. Satisfaction in this area comes from visiting places other tourists do not go to see rare wildlife. This leads the tourist into fragile environments where they do harm, unintentionally. The Minnamurra Rainforest Reserve is an example of the effect of the social carry capacity reaching its limit of tourists damaging the ecosystem.

It is through "educating the public by way of an enjoyable interpretive program within our protected environments that has mutual benefits for both the environment and management". Interpretation has been identified as "a core strategy for achieving conservation of the natural and cultural resources" which can be seen of places of natural and appealing beauty to that of The Minnamurra Rainforest Reserve. It is also a major component of all other conservation strategies, including The Minnamurra Rainforest Reserve as well as to worldwide conservation issues. Interpretation is a way of making the tourist experience more memorable and meaningful when investigating the "example concerning the role of special events in interpretation". As Staiff suggests, interpretation is "learning about the destinations cultures, lifestyle, places".

Having interpretation at festivals, special and culturally events is crucial for tourist to understand the culture being presented, making their experience more meaningful and more satisfying. As Staiff explains interpretation is affected in two ways. By the cultural perceptions and the educational levels of the traveller and the quest for knowledge and the love of stories or narratives. Dewar concludes that events "are valuable interpretation devices, but they must be creative, and offer the visitor different experience". This also is explored in Wearing findings that "effective interpretation should not only educate but entertain and stimulate", revealing that interpretation is a way of making the tourist experience more memorable, more meaningful and more satisfying.