Greenwood, Tanya (2001) A tough audience: the influence of previous coral reef experience on visitors to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. In: Proceedings of the 11th Australian Tourism and Hospitality Research Conference. pp. 117-131. From: CAUTHE 2001: Capitalising on Research, 7-10 February 2001, Canberra.

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Abstract

An increasingly important strategic goal for resource managers and tourism industry stakeholders in major nature-based destinations is sustainable tourism planning, development and marketing. It is in the best interest of nature-based destinations to attract environmentally oriented tourist segments whom will ultimately support the intervention of management in natural areas and show greatest appreciation and sensitivity toward the environment. Research in the field of leisure and recreation has shown support for segmenting recreationists based on their previous experience in an activity in the same or similar environment. Findings from such research indicate a positive relationship between the amount and type of previous experience and the interest and support for environmental protection. A search of the tourism and environmental management literature, however, indicates that relatively few studies have investigated the influence of varying types of previous experience in natural environments on the motivations and behaviours of visitors to comparable or similar environments. In response to this gap, the present study will report on a survey study of over 6000 visitors to the Great Barrier Reef in Northern Australia. The aim of the study will be to provide a segmentation of visitors based on previous experience of the reef environment, both Great Barrier Reef specific and other coral reefs around the world. A comparative analysis will be undertaken on the motivations, satisfaction, and information needs of visitors based on the varying types of previous experience held by the visitor respondents, with particular focus on respondents whose experience is shaped by visitation to other coral reef environments.

Item ID:	14613
Item Type:	Conference Item (Research - E1)
ISBN:	978-0-85889-832-5
Keywords:	coral reef experience; Great Barrier Reef; tourism
Date Deposited:	21 Sep 2017 03:35
FoR Codes:	15 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 1506 Tourism > 150606 Tourist Behaviour and Visitor Experience @ 100%
SEO Codes:	90 COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND TOURISM > 9003 Tourism > 900303 Tourism Infrastructure Development @ 100%
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