Reflecting on the human dimensions of wild dolphin tourism in marine environments

Jessica Patroni Author-Email: Jessica.Patroni@Murodch.edu.au Author-Workplace-Name: Harry Butler Institute Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Murdoch, Western Australia, David Newsome (), David Kerr (), Daminda P. Sumanapala () and Greg D. Simpson ()
Additional contact information
David Newsome: Murdoch University College of Science, Health, Engineering, and Education Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch, Western Australia
David Kerr: Dolphin Discovery Centre, Bunbury, Western Australia
Daminda P. Sumanapala: NSBM Green University Town School of Business Faculty of Management Mahenwaththa, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka
Greg D. Simpson: Harry Butler Institute Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Murdoch, Western Australia

Tourism and Hospitality Management, 2019, vol. 25, issue 1, 141-160

Abstract: Purpose – Many studies report on the potential ecological impacts of wild dolphin tourism, risks to people, and economic benefits to local communities. Fewer studies report the social aspects (human dimensions) of dolphin tourism, such as visitor satisfaction and attitudes of participants. This communication postulates that human dimensions are an important consideration in any strategy to keep wild dolphin tourism operations sustainable by balancing the welfare of the dolphins and the desires and expectations of tourists to interact with these charismatic, iconic creatures. Methodology – This communication synthesizes learning gained from a recent quantitative systematic literature review of marine wildlife tourism, a previously unreported review of wild dolphin tourism literature, and a recent study from the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury, Western Australia. Findings – Human attitudes towards marine mammals ultimately reflect how dolphin tourism is developed and managed. It is therefore important to understand how people experience and perceive dolphin tourism. Wild dolphin tourism is of great value to local economies, tour operators, and visitors who enjoy those experiences. The potential impacts that can arise from dolphin tourism need to be understood and minimised by actions under the control of tour operators and government authorities. This is important to make the satisfaction visitors gain from such experiences worthwhile and to ensure the long-term sustainability of wild dolphin tourism experiences. Originality of the research – Most wild dolphin tourism research has an ecological focus. This communication demonstrates that equally important social research, concerned with understanding visitor awareness, knowledge, expectations, and satisfaction, has a vital role to play in developing best practice management for wild dolphin tourism experiences.

Keywords: Dolphins; human dimensions; marine wildlife tourism; visitor attitudes/satisfaction; Bunbury; Western Australia Journal: Tourism and Hospitality Management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tho:journl:v:25:y:2019:n:1:p:141-160

DOI: 10.20867/thm.25.1.8

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