Abstract
Simple SummaryFor travelers, the way in which people in other nations interact with animals may be different to that in their home nation. This research explores how the treatment of dogs impacted upon the holiday experiences of tourists visiting a developing island nation. In general, and where tourists encountered dogs, their treatment was perceived as less positive than in their home country and had a negative impact upon the holiday experience. Although it is important to recognize that the local population will have a different worldview, tourists felt that the dog population required more effective management and were most supportive of techniques that were non-lethal and humane.A study was undertaken to establish how visiting tourists to Samoa perceived free-roaming dogs (Canis familiaris) and their management, additionally some factors that influence their perceptions were assessed. Questionnaires were administered to 281 tourists across Samoa over 5 weeks. Free-roaming dogs were seen by 98.2% (n = 269/274) of respondents, with 64.9% (n = 137/211) reporting that their presence had a negative effect on overall holiday experience. Respondents staying in the Apia (capital city) area were more likely to consider dogs a problem (p < 0.0001), and there was a significant association between whether the respondent owned a dog and if they thought dogs were a nuisance in Samoa (p < 0.003). Forty-four percent (20/89) of non-dog owners agreed that dogs were a nuisance compared to 22% (80/182) of dog owners. The majority felt that dogs required better control and management in Samoa (81%, n = 222) and that there were too many “stray” dogs (67.9%, n = 188). More respondents were negatively affected by the dogs’ presence (64.9%, 137/211), and felt that the dogs made their holiday worse, than respondents that felt the dogs’ presence improved their holiday experience (35.1%, 74/211). Most respondents stated that the dogs had a low impact (one to three; 68%, 187/275) on their stay in Samoa, whilst 24% (65/275) and 8% (23/275) stated they had a medium or high impact, respectively, on their stay. Respondents showed strong support for humane population management. Free-roaming dogs present a complex problem for Samoa and for its tourism industry in particular. The findings of this study further support the need for more discussion and action about the provision of veterinary services and population management for dogs in Samoa. It also provides information complementing an earlier study of the attitudes of local Samoans.
Highlights
Tourism is the major industry in many island nations including Western Samoa (Samoa) where134,700 visitors arrived in 2012, mostly from New Zealand or Australia [1]
The majority of respondents in the current study felt that the free-roaming dog population requires better control and management
Tourists in Samoa think better management is needed (81%) and that there are too many “stray” dogs in Samoa (67.9%) (Figure 1). Figures from these two studies can be compared to findings from a rural coastal region of Mexico, where approximately half the local residents, but only a third of tourists, thought there were too many dogs [18], or the Bahamas, where stray dogs were perceived as a nuisance by over 80% of local residents [19] but only 23% of tourists [20]
Summary
Tourism is the major industry in many island nations including Western Samoa (Samoa) where134,700 visitors arrived in 2012, mostly from New Zealand or Australia [1]. The literature primarily focuses on tourist-animal interactions that are actively sought out and that provide positive experiences with wild or semi-wild animals [3,4]. Such interactions have the potential to significantly benefit the tourism industry and cause ecological damage [5]. It is possible that a mismatch between tourist attitudes and those of the country being visited may occur. These mismatches in attitudes towards dogs may present a significant challenge to a developing tourism industry
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