Quality Of Visitor Experience Research Articles

If i can find a parking spot: A stated choice approach to Grand Teton National Park visitors’ transportation preferences

Managing visitor use in parks and protected areas requires balancing resource protection and quality visitor experiences; a difficult task with ever increasing visitation. Understanding what constitutes a quality experience is also complex. Past studies show that transportation systems are a vital part of visitor's experiences to parks and protected areas. This study investigates preferences for different attributes by examining trade-offs national park visitors make among different transportation-related attributes; such as wait time at the entrance, parking availability, speed of traffic, and volume of traffic. Results indicated that parking was the most important attribute to visitors, followed by traffic volume, wait time at the entrance, and speed. Statistically significant differences in regards to preference among mode of transportation (hiker or in a vehicle) and age were also identified. This study investigates the tradeoffs visitors make among different transportation-related experiential attributes along a rustic park road. The findings suggest there are interactions and tradeoffs among different aspects of the transportation experience, such as: • Preference to wait at the entrance station prior to entering the park, rather than in a parking lot waiting for a designated parking space. • Preferences can differ depending on age and mode of transportation.

How Bio-physical Impacts of Campsite-Use affect Camping Experiences at Highly-visited National Parks of Sri Lanka

With escalating demand for wildlife tourism in Sri Lanka’s National Parks, the visitor interest on camping in designated campsites inside National Parks is also on the rise. However, unplanned recreational uses such as camping in natural areas can induce significant and often localized resource impacts that can affect soil, vegetation, wildlife, and water, with severity of such impacts varying depending on the intensity of use. Limited or no published research have attempted to assess the camp-site users’ perceptions on bio-physical impacts of campsite use in the Sri Lankan context. Therefore, this study evaluated the campers’ perception on environmental impacts of campsite use in highly-visited National Parks in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Campsite user characteristics, visitor motivations, behaviors and how visitor experience is affected by visible biophysical impacts at campsites were evaluated using a structured questionnaire. The survey also gathered management actions perceived by campsite users to minimize such environmental impacts. The questionnaire was administered over-the-phone with a total of 202 individuals who had a camping experience within a period of less than 12 months from the date of contact, responding to the survey (response rate of 56.1%). Results revealed that “to be in a natural setting” as the main motivation for camping in National Parks while wildlife viewing and photography were the most popular activities of campers. Well-educated middle-aged males dominated the camping visitor segment. Based on the visitor behaviors and underlying visitor motivations derived through a Factor Analysis, the study further identified three distinct segments of campsite users: Eco-tourists, Prestige seekers, and Adventure seekers. Results further indicated that presence of litter, vandalism activities, vehicle related impacts and current solid waste disposal practices in campsites are negatively affecting visitor experience. Respondents in general, especially the well-educated high income visitor segment exhibited environmentally responsible behaviors during camping. With respect to visitor perceptions on future management of campsites, respondents approved management measures aimed at assuring the ecological integrity of campsites while disapproving substantial infrastructure development within campsites. Study results overall highlights the importance of managing biophysical impacts in campsites to provide a high quality visitor experience, while sustainably managing tourism activities in National Parks. Potential management implications are further discussed. Keywords: Wildlife tourism, Camping, Recreation ecology, Campsite user survey, Ecotourism

Forecasting increases in recreational value that would result from restoration of natural soundscapes in National Parks

U. S. National Parks are justly celebrated for the superlative quality of their scenic and cultural resources. The Grand Canyon Enlargement Act of 1975 identified natural quiet as an important resource and value. These considerations are two motivations for extensive monitoring of acoustic environments in national park units, and development of models that predict sound levels throughout the system. These models also estimate the spatial distribution of noise of noise exposure. Related social science research has documented the effects of noise on the quality of visitor experience in parks, including the accessibility of wildlife for public viewing. Surveys of park visitors and the American public also document broad support of park efforts to reduce noise. Collectively, this research provides a quantitative framework for estimating the increases in the quality of visitor experience that could be realized through reductions in noise.U. S. National Parks are justly celebrated for the superlative quality of their scenic and cultural resources. The Grand Canyon Enlargement Act of 1975 identified natural quiet as an important resource and value. These considerations are two motivations for extensive monitoring of acoustic environments in national park units, and development of models that predict sound levels throughout the system. These models also estimate the spatial distribution of noise of noise exposure. Related social science research has documented the effects of noise on the quality of visitor experience in parks, including the accessibility of wildlife for public viewing. Surveys of park visitors and the American public also document broad support of park efforts to reduce noise. Collectively, this research provides a quantitative framework for estimating the increases in the quality of visitor experience that could be realized through reductions in noise.

Tourism operators’ perspectives of environmental supply of guided tours in national parks

Environmental supply is a concept that links tourism demand to the sustainability of park offerings of natural features, physical attributes, management initiatives and/or governance policies that influence environmental conservation and protection of ecological and cultural environments. This study presents results of commercial tour operator's perspectives of environmental supply in two highly used Canadian Rocky Mountain national parks. Understanding of environmental supply, from a commercial stakeholder perspective, contributes positively to park management actions regarding commercial visitor activities and behaviours in protected national areas. Tour operators must supply quality visitor experiences while operating within a different policy environment than required by other tourism operators providing guided tours outside of park boundaries. This paper includes the results of a four-stage mixed methodology including one-on-one field interviews and surveys targeting commercial tour guiding businesses operating within Banff and Jasper national parks from 2011 through 2015. Each interview included formal questions, ranging from a description of the types of activities included during tours to actual or perceived limitations placed on operations due to managers’ considerations about environmental supply. Results presented are from the final 2015 study, reflecting 17 randomly sampled formal interviews and 41 completed on-line surveys with representatives of tour companies operating within Banff or Jasper national parks; this equates to a useable return rate of 43.6%. Both qualitative and quantitative results are discussed and grouped for presentation. Management implicationsResearch informs decision making by providing the following:1.Understanding of how tourism operators perceive their roles and abilities and how these relate to creating a quality visitor experience, a sustainable business and assurance for the conservation of natural resources within a protected park environment;2.Understanding of the concept of environmental supply and identifying which characteristics of environmental supply are important for guided tour operators who are attempting to meet park environmental management standards while also meeting commercial tourism demands;3.Identification of possible ‘weak links’ or informational gaps in a government agency's process-driven approach to managing tours and guided recreational activities in national parks; and4.Demonstration of the value of social science research in illuminating the link between practice and policy as it relates to tourism and environment for protected areas.

Whitewater recreationists’ preferences for social, resource and managerial attributes in the Alpine Nature and Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen

The Salza River is located in the Alpine Nature and Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen and is used heavily for whitewater recreation. One of the main goals of protected area management is to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation to maintain or enhance the quality of visitor experience. This study explored whitewater recreationists’ crowding perceptions and preferences for river trip scenarios on the Salza River, Austria, using a discrete choice experiment. Six attributes described social, resource and managerial river conditions. More than 70% of the paddlers reported crowding. Results of the discrete choice experiment suggest that use levels are by far the most important attribute, followed by the river difficulty and the river access fee. Boaters preferred low numbers of people on the river, no waiting times for car parking or boat launching, moderate river difficulty, shorter trip lengths and a low river access fee. The findings could be of use to the Nature Park in helping to better understand the preferences of one of its main target groups.

Heritage Interpretation and Presentation Practices in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Cases from the Wukro Tourism Cluster

Interpretation and presentation of heritage is becoming a major challenge as important elements of human culture are misinterpreted and vanishing throughout the globe. It is only when the heritages are sustainably interpreted that tourism can be developed in a sustainable manner. The major purpose of this study is to investigate the practices of heritage interpretation and presentation in Tigray with a case from Wukro Tourism Cluster. Descriptive type of research design inculcating both quantitative and qualitative research methods was employed for empirical investigation. Questionnaire, interview and observation were the main instruments of primary data collections. Primary data was collected from 134 respondents (120 questionnaires and 14 interviews). Findings of the study reveal that the practices of heritage interpretation and presentation in Wukro Cluster are embedded with different pitfalls. A lot of unfavorable factors like limited capacity of heritage interpreters, scant attention to community based heritage interpretation, problems in variety and quality of visitor experiences, problems with stakeholder cooperation, lack of organized interpretation and presentation, problems in the adequacy and quality of interpretation infrastructures and others. Developing appropriate interpretation system, preparing different interpretation and presentation infrastructures and introducing common practices of visitor management can be good remedies.

Understanding Science Centre Engagement in Nurturing Visitor Interest and Curiosity

Reaching and engaging visitors within exhibitions and throughout the museum environment, recurred as an area of design concern. Using the recent experience of Science Centre Singapore, The Mind Museum Philippines and The Experimentarium Denmark, the responses of the centre managements provided initial findings towards quality visitor experience and informal learning intentions. The biggest challenge is to provide an opportunity for cognitive and affective learning while collectively facilitating enjoyment and fun. Learning and educational theory are explored with implications for the exhibition development process. Nurturing visitor interest and curiosity theme reveal the centre's approach to offer a rich and cohesive experience.

Day and overnight visitors to the Olympic Wilderness

Wilderness visitors are comprised of day and overnight users. Research suggests that day use of wilderness is increasing and that day visitors may be different than more conventional overnight visitors in potentially important ways. This study examined this issue at Olympic National Park, USA. An on-site survey of wilderness visitors was conducted in the summer of 2012, achieving a response rate of 50.4% and yielding 1019 completed questionnaires. Four categories of variables were included in the survey: (1) demographic characteristics of visitors, (2) sensitivity to crowding, (3) preferences for wilderness conditions, and (4) support for wilderness management practices. T-tests of differences between means of day and overnight visitors and principal component analysis were used to analyze resulting data. The study found many similarities between day and overnight visitors. For example, there was little racial/ethnic diversity in either group and the vast majority of all visitors was highly educated. Both types of visitors reported an aversion to encountering other visitors on trails and at attraction sites, and most visitors tended to prefer some level of development that facilitated recreation use, such as bridges over streams. However, there were also some potentially important differences between day and overnight visitors. For example, day visitors were significantly less sensitive to crowding and more strongly supported management that allows access for recreation as opposed to providing opportunities for solitude. Moreover, day visitors constituted more than twice the number of overnight visitors, suggesting that day visitors represent a large majority of wilderness use. Study findings are being used to support development of a Wilderness Stewardship Plan for Olympic National Park and suggest that day use be given more explicit attention in wilderness planning and management. Management implicationsAn important objective of wilderness and related outdoor recreation areas is to provide high quality visitor experiences. Thus, wilderness management must be informed by information about and from wilderness visitors. Day and overnight visitors constitute two important groups of wilderness users. Findings from this survey of visitors to the wilderness portion of Olympic National Park suggest that there are both similarities and differences between these groups. Day visitors tend to be less sensitive to crowding and less supportive of management that restricts wilderness use based on concerns for solitude. Day visitors also tend to report more favorable attitudes toward some types of recreation development (e.g., steel bridges over streams). These types of differences suggest that wilderness managers should consider providing a spectrum of wilderness recreation opportunities, some of which may be different than conventional interpretations of wilderness that emphasize solitude and naturalness. Study findings also suggest that day use be more explicitly addressed in wilderness planning and management.

Linking visitor motivation with attitude towards management restrictions on use in a national park

The increasing demand for visiting wilderness areas often requires management actions that both conserve the natural resources and ensure a high quality visitor experience. Many of the alpine national parks in southern Norway hold the last remaining populations of wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Europe. Therefore management needs more effective tools to reduce or remove recreational impact on wild reindeer populations. Management actions should also consult research-based knowledge on visitors. Therefore, this study explores the link between visitor motivations and their attitudes towards management actions on track-related (trail, path, trampling, track) and area-related (zoning, legal restrictions) use. The results show that two of the visitor motivations (i.e. hiking and place attachment) affect visitors’ attitudes towards management restrictions on use significantly. For instance, those visiting the national park for hiking are more positive to area-related restrictions while individuals attached to the place are more positive to track-related restrictions. Practical and theoretical implications are also discussed. Management implicationsWhen attempting to find socio-ecological solutions for conflicts between a wild reindeer population and recreational use, the following management recommendations should be considered:–A management solution should regard the fact that local users differ significantly from non-local visitors.–The strategy of ‘area restriction’ is highly controversial for local communities, due to their long tradition with subsistence harvesting, grazing and traditional agriculture; therefore such a strategy will receive only low approval among the locals and leave the management with low legitimacy at the local level.–The strategy of ‘management of the track system’ will affect most non-local visitors, but these visitors are more flexible in adapting to a new trail system in the area, or may shift to another area.–Visitors with strong place attachment, as well as wilderness seekers who desire solitude are difficult to influence with physical management actions.–A management strategy that will limit the area of use and behaviour of off-track visitors should include information about ecosystem vulnerability.

Visitor Characteristics and Perceptions: Case of Horton Plains National Park In Sri Lanka

The aim of this study was to find out visitor characteristics and satisfaction and perceptions of visitors, because park management requires a knowledge of what tourists demand in order that these resources can be optimized. A visitor survey was carried out in Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) to get knowledge on visitor characteristics, satisfaction and their perceptions. The results allowed differentiation of two major types of visitors: generalists and eco-tourists. The visitor survey results imply that HPNP may be the popular tourism destinations for both local and foreign visitors. Majority of foreign visitors (above 50%) are Europeans and majority of local visitors (above 40%) are from the western province. Both local and foreign visitors visit HPNP to see World's End. Generally the satisfaction level among local and foreign visitors at the national park is satisfactory. The majority of visitors are interested in participate in more recreational activities which are not available to have a diverse visitor experience at the park. Some of these visitor services/facilities could be implemented as ecotourism concessions through public-private partnerships. Local visitors mentioned that the tour is worth than that they paid for permits although foreign visitors felt it was not worth what they paid. Marketing of HPNP is not at a satisfactory level and visitors are mainly aware of HPNP from their friends and relatives. This study recommends to Sri Lanka government how to utilize the existing potential in developing ecotourism and maximize the quality of visitor experience at HPNP. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/kjm.v1i1.6448 Kelaniya Journal of Management Vol.1(1) 2012:81-100

A visitor use monitoring approach on the Half Dome cables to reduce crowding and inform park planning decisions in Yosemite National Park

Regulating visitor access, in the form of user limits, on public lands is a contentious issue. Although visitor use limits have been instituted to manage a variety of recreation activities in national parks there is little research that has successfully demonstrated relationships between visitor use levels and evaluative conditions (e.g. visitor perceptions of crowding). The lack of empirical understanding of relationships between use levels and evaluative conditions brings into question the efficacy of use limits to achieve management objectives. This paper describes a research and monitoring program that identifies clear management objectives and definitive visitor use pattern relationships to manage visitor use on Half Dome in Yosemite National Park to inform the development of the Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan that established a permit system to limit visitor use on and around Half Dome. Automated visitor counters were used to collect trail use level data and photographic documentation was used to collect people-at-one-time (PAOT) data on the cable route. Regression analyses yielded strong relationships between these data and show that 400 people per day significantly reduces crowded conditions and preserves unimpeded travel on the Half Dome cables. The approach and results developed in this project provide a basis for future monitoring to promote adaptive management of visitor use on Half Dome in order to ensure that management objectives related to quality visitor experiences and safety are met.

Toward the Improvement of Trail Classification in National Parks Using the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Approach

Trail settings in national parks are essential management tools for improving both ecological conservation efforts and the quality of visitor experiences. This study proposes a plan for the appropriate maintenance of trails in Chubusangaku National Park, Japan, based on the recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) approach. First, we distributed 452 questionnaires to determine park visitors' preferences for setting a trail (response rate = 68 %). Respondents' preferences were then evaluated according to the following seven parameters: access, remoteness, naturalness, facilities and site management, social encounters, visitor impact, and visitor management. Using nonmetric multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis, the visitors were classified into seven groups. Last, we classified the actual trails according to the visitor questionnaire criteria to examine the discrepancy between visitors' preferences and actual trail settings. The actual trail classification indicated that while most developed trails were located in accessible places, primitive trails were located in remote areas. However, interestingly, two visitor groups seemed to prefer a well-conserved natural environment and, simultaneously, easily accessible trails. This finding does not correspond to a premise of the ROS approach, which supposes that primitive trails should be located in remote areas without ready access. Based on this study's results, we propose that creating trails, which afford visitors the opportunity to experience a well-conserved natural environment in accessible areas is a useful means to provide visitors with diverse recreation opportunities. The process of data collection and analysis in this study can be one approach to produce ROS maps for providing visitors with recreational opportunities of greater diversity and higher quality.

Effects of User Density Levels on Recreational Walking Experiences

Over the past 25 years, attempts to increase the quality of visitor experiences have been a priority in outdoor recreational areas for planners and managers. Recreation planners should determine acceptable usage levels for an area before making planning decisions. Physical, economical, ecological and social carrying capacity of that area must be determined, in order to assess acceptable usage levels. In this study, the influence of the characteristics of the area on visitor perception of user density levels was evaluated. The activity of walking was chosen to determine the perception of the user density level. Walking was chosen because it is a recreational activity that can be performed easily and frequently by visitors of outdoor recreational areas without any need for experience. Factors affecting the perception and effects of the user density level on visitors were examined from urban recreational areas to rural recreational areas. According to our results, characteristics of the recreational area and changes in the perception of suitable user density levels varied according to the recreational activities performed in an area. Specifically, rural recreation users tolerated less user density. In contrast to the expected, female users preferred lower user density.

Roads as Corridors for Invasive Plant Species: New Evidence from Smooth Bedstraw (Galium mollugo)

AbstractRoads function as prime habitats and corridors for invasive plant species, and can contribute significantly to the spread and establishment of weeds inside protected areas. Smooth bedstraw (Galium mollugo) populations have recently expanded in the abandoned agricultural fields of Bic National Park (Quebec, Canada), and may represent a threat to the preservation of plant diversity and to the quality of visitor experience. The main objective of this study was to map the distribution of the species in the park and to delineate factors influencing the abundance of the plant in fallow fields. We hypothesized that road proximity was the main factor explaining the presence and abundance (frequency of recording) of smooth bedstraw in fields. Vegetation surveys were conducted in abandoned agricultural fields, and two logistic regression models were built to examine the relationship between the presence and abundance of smooth bedstraw and environmental and historical variables. Smooth bedstraw populations were also mapped along transportation corridors. The abundance of smooth bedstraw significantly increases within 125 m (410 ft) of a paved road. The recent proliferation of smooth bedstraw in Bic National Park is likely associated with the construction of road embankments during the paving of gravel roads. The paved road network has probably acted as a dispersal corridor for smooth bedstraw, while the abandoned agricultural fields located close to the paved roads provided suitable habitats facilitating population establishment over large areas. We recommended to the park's authorities to cease paving all remaining gravel roads in the park, not only to stop smooth bedstraw invasion, but also the spread of other invasive species of concern.

Biodiversity Hotspots and Visitor Flows in Oulanka National Park, Finland

Oulanka National Park, Finland aims to ensure nature conservation while providing high quality visitor experiences. The growth of outdoor recreation and nature tourism, however, has fueled concern about consequent pressures on the natural resources of the park. This analysis assessed the spatial relationship between biodiversity hotspots and visitor distributions within Oulanka National Park. Known occurrences of rare or threatened species (lichen, moss, fungi, and vascular plants) within the park were used as indicators of biodiversity. Areas with a high density of threatened and endangered species (i.e. biodiversity hotspots) were identified through kernel density analysis and compared to the spatial distribution of visitor use within the park. Results indicate important habitats for endangered species are often located nearby or on the edge of high visitor use zones leaving them vulnerable to human impacts. Further research will investigate the relationships between visitor experiences at specific spots and acceptance of nature management measures.

Modeling hikers’ exposure to transportation noise in national parks and wilderness.

Results of research conducted in a variety of national park settings suggest that the quality of visitors’ experiences is tied to the naturalness of the area’s soundscape. Yet, visitor use in national parks tends to be concentrated in areas that are accessible or close to roads. As a result, surface transportation noise can significantly affect visitor experience quality. This paper describes tools and methods used to estimate the effects of various transportation planning options on hikers’ noise exposure in national parks. These tools combine transportation noise mapping with GPS tracking and computer modeling of visitor use to map and quantify the effects of transportation planning alternatives on visitors’ soundscape experiences. Examples of how these methods have been implemented in national parks are discussed.

Land-Art-Farm - Anatomy of a Tourism No-Go Decision

Case context: In April 2009, the Australian Government announced a new form of tourism support program, the TQUAL Grants. The aim of this modest $8 million round was to stimulate sustainable growth in the Australian tourism industry by supporting initiatives that would: • develop innovative product, services or systems within the tourism industry • contribute directly to long-term economic development in the host region • develop or support high quality visitor services and experiences. Category 1(Innovative Tourism Projects) included a sub-category for Project Initiation (grants of $5,000 to $25,000 to be matched by applicant cash) intended to support operators in early market and feasibility assessments. In February 2011, a simplified second round was announced in part reflecting lessons from round 1. Frontiers Insight submitted a Project Initiation proposal in 2009 for development stage work on Land-Art-Farm – to move from concept, to positioning, to feasibility analysis, and business plan. Preparing the proposal took intensive weeks including interactions with supporters. Feedback indicated it was a strong application for just Aus $16,000 During development of the Land-Art-Farm TQUAL proposal, dynamics and realities around the economics of private sector tourism attractions became rather clearer. As a Destination attraction, multiplier returns from Land-Art-Farm to regional and local economies multiple millions a year. Yet, Land-Art-Farm itself would likely struggle to cover costs. Like much in tourism, this would need to be a joint effort. So, Government and community willingness to support the regional potential through a small TQUAL grant was the first market test for Land-Art, and it did not pass that hurdle. The case study paper initially posted on SSRN in 2011, gave insights into a 'no-go' decision for a destination attraction investment. Regional tourism appeared to depend on government, and/or on attracting those with money, passion and some willingness to lose their funds (as discussed in Part D, Writing on the Wall).Update in 2013. With baby boomers as still over 20% of the Australian population, and their retirement underway, even conservative official projections list tourism among growth sectors for the next decades - international and domestic. The challenge now is to reshape LAND-ART-FARM for a changing tourism and financial dynamic and to start soon with introductory phases in terms of business, the land-art, and trickles then streams of visitor tourists. That challenge commenced on 12 May 2013. The case study papers has been removed from SSRN for the present, for updating as the market and logistics research is re-analysed and deepened. Progress will be advised via the Frontiers Insight website.

Modeling the Effects of Shuttle Service on Transportation System Performance and Quality of Visitor Experience in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) was one of the first national parks to adopt an alternative transportation system: a shuttle bus system initiated in 1978. To address parking lot shortages while accommodating growing numbers of park visitors, RMNP expanded its shuttle bus service in 2001. Although the expanded shuttle service has helped to alleviate parking congestion at popular trailheads, expansion may also be enabling levels of visitation that cause or exacerbate visitor crowding. Thus, there is a need to evaluate and potentially refine RMNP's shuttle service according to the amount of visitor use that can be accommodated at popular destinations in the park without unacceptable effects on the quality of visitors’ experiences. This study evaluated and quantified transportation system performance and visitor crowding at popular recreation sites in the Bear Lake Road corridor resulting from RMNP's shuttle service operations. The study used integrated transportation and visitor use modeling to provide quantitative estimates of the extent of parking congestion, transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, transit operating costs per passenger, and visitor crowding associated with existing and alternative transit service operations scenarios. The National Park Service will use information from the study to refine the operation of shuttle service in RMNP in a manner that both optimizes transportation system performance and protects the quality of visitors’ experiences. Further, the study framework can be generalized to other public lands units to design and operate transit service in accordance with transportation, resource, and visitor experience objectives.

Tourist behaviors in wetland park: A preliminary study in Xixi National Wetland Park, Hangzhou, China

Public education as well as tourism and leisure are the two important functions of national wetland park, and tourist behaviors act as the guiding factor in the national wetland park construction and management. As the first national wetland park in China, Xixi National Wetland Park, located in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, will give constructive instructions to the construction and management of other wetland parks and ecotourism resorts. This paper analyzed the tourist behaviors in Xixi National Wetland Park. By the observation, in-depth interview and questionnaire, the results show that tourists in wetland parks are different from those in the other common destinations, and they are also different from those strict eco-tourists. In fact, the tourists in wetland park have unique characteristics, such as the intense perception to the functions of wetland ecosystem and the environment impact behaviors. Those tourists are preferred to natural landscapes in their motivations and expectations. Wetland landscapes are the main image to those tourists in the Xixi National Wetland Park. Tourist expectation, experience and satisfaction are all critical factors for the success of the planning and management in national wetland parks. Based on the results, some measures for the sustainable development of wetland parks, including to optimize wetland theme landscape and tourism products, to improve tourist facilities and services, to enhance quality of visitor experiences, and to implement total quality management based on tourist characteristics, are given to national wetland park ecotourism.

The Impact of Community Attachment on Host Society Attitudes and Behaviours Towards Visitors

This paper describes an empirical research project undertaken to address a significant gap in the tourism impacts literature. Noting that previous research has emphasised the importance of host, guest, and destination characteristics as significant influences over visitor experience quality, the paper proposes that one important relationship that emerges from that circumstance has been largely overlooked—local people's attitudes towards life in their own communities. The paper analyses the views of 575 residents of three small city communities in three different countries, in an attempt to establish the nature of relationship between perceptions of life in those communities and attitudes towards temporary visitors. Results indicate that residents are generally able to distinguish between the appeal of community as a place to live and as a place to visit, and that the character of this distinction can present as a paradoxical contrast between a clear intention to recommend as a visitor destination, and a degree of ambiguity towards the prospect of increased visitor activity. These findings will be of value to those regional and local government agencies that are responsible for the long-term planning of visitor facilities, and for the enhancement of the visitor experience in a manner consistent with local resident support and endorsement.