Visitor Center Research Articles

Дифференциация туристских центров Алтая при формировании сети маршрутов

The article deals with the problems of creating networks of routes for the successful differentiation of the tourist centers of Altai by functional elements. Based on the results of the analysis of existing attractors for tourism and their geography, the features of creating networks of tourist routes in the Altai region are revealed. One of the results of the work was the consideration of the scalability phenomenon when creating an optimal network of routes for the region within the Altai Republic, as well as the southern part of the Altai Territory in the area of its foothill and mountainous parts. The differentiation of service areas of tourist centers in the study was carried out along the administrative boundaries of the regions, in some cases - along mountain ranges separated by wide river valleys and watersheds. The paper proposes a model for constructing a destination complex: a tourist center - an administrative district subordinate to it - a complex of attractors. A “tourist center” is a locality where catering and accommodation organizations, tourist administrations, tourist information or visitor centers, as well as control and rescue services are located. „Subordinate administrative regions“ are administrative regions that include mountain ranges, plateaus, hills or plains within their borders, on which there is a dense network of various tourist destinations that are integral parts of mountain, water, walking and horse routes. On the territory of these regions there are „attractors“ - systems of geographical (lakes, rivers, remnants, peaks, passes, water structures, waterfalls, rapids) and cultural and historical (archaeological and ethnographic) objects.

Территориальные производственно-экономические структуры: типы и их отношения в региональном развитии

The article deals with the problems of creating networks of routes for the successful differentiation of the tourist centers of Altai by functional elements. Based on the results of the analysis of existing attractors for tourism and their geography, the features of creating networks of tourist routes in the Altai region are revealed. One of the results of the work was the consideration of the scalability phenomenon when creating an optimal network of routes for the region within the Altai Republic, as well as the southern part of the Altai Territory in the area of its foothill and mountainous parts. The differentiation of service areas of tourist centers in the study was carried out along the administrative boundaries of the regions, in some cases - along mountain ranges separated by wide river valleys and watersheds. The paper proposes a model for constructing a destination complex: a tourist center - an administrative district subordinate to it - a complex of attractors. A “tourist center” is a locality where catering and accommodation organizations, tourist administrations, tourist information or visitor centers, as well as control and rescue services are located. „Subordinate administrative regions“ are administrative regions that include mountain ranges, plateaus, hills or plains within their borders, on which there is a dense network of various tourist destinations that are integral parts of mountain, water, walking and horse routes. On the territory of these regions there are „attractors“ - systems of geographical (lakes, rivers, remnants, peaks, passes, water structures, waterfalls, rapids) and cultural and historical (archaeological and ethnographic) objects.

Выявление следов антропогенной деятельности советского периода по данным аэрофотосъемки в дельтах рек Бугульдейки и Голоустной (Байкальский регион)

In 2021 and 2022 unmanned aerial photography of the deltas of the Goloustnaya and Buguldeyka Rivers, located on the northwestern shore of Lake Baikal, were performed. Using the photogrammetric method implemented in the “Agisoft Metashape” software, ultra-high-resolution orthomosaics and digital surface models (DSM) were built. When deciphering the obtained materials, technogenic surface changes that are not associated with land development in recent decades were found. The involvement of historical data made it possible to identify traces of anthropogenic activity in the river deltas belonging to the Soviet-era of the country’s development. In the Goloustnaya River delta, which is now almost uninhabited over a larger area, and represents a steppe with islands of relict poplars, the locations of the houses of the Zarechny and Podkamenny uluses, which existed from pre-revolutionary times until 1958, were revealed. The boundaries of these settlements and agricultural land belonging to their inhabitants and collective farms were reconstructed. In both deltas, traces of large-scale logging works, unique photographs of which are presented for the first time in this article, were preserved on the surface. Places of accumulation of sunken forests on the shores of Lake Baikal and in some channels of the Goloustnaya River were revealed. On practice, the obtained data can be used in historical reconstructions, for example, when creating models of the arrangement of deltas in the Soviet-era for regional museums in modern villages and visitor centers of the Pribaikalsky National Park. The results may also be useful in environmental surveys combined with timber extraction in order to clean the bottom of water bodies.

Project Spotlight: High-altitude visitor center weathers wind, soil loads with extra connections

Project Spotlight: High-altitude visitor center weathers wind, soil loads with extra connections

Amplifying argument

Abstract In the aftermath of World War I, the US Government created eight cemeteries in France, Belgium, and the UK to honor American soldiers who died in Europe as well as to remind European audiences of that sacrifice. More recently, visitor centers were added to some of those sites. This essay explores how one of those visitor centers, located at Flanders Field American Cemetery in Belgium, serves to amplify the cemeteries’ public diplomacy argument. We argue that amplification, as described by classical and more contemporary theorists, serves an important function in argumentation, and that these centers themselves deserve greater attention as they provide direction to visitors in making the place matter. In this analysis, we also consider the recursive relationship between text/argument and context in site interpretation.

Can Tourism and Natural Parks Coexist? Comparison of Europe, China, and the United States of America

Over the years, people’s interest in protecting the natural environment and its resources has increased significantly. In this context, natural parks have become a new tourist destination, which has grown exponentially in recent decades and developed into mass tourism. This made it necessary to realize adequate infrastructures (roads, accommodation facilities reception, etc.) to allow visitors to enjoy parks. A recent trip to China made it possible to observe how this type of tourism has developed and raised some concerns and the need to understand whether this phenomenon is also present in other countries. In particular, this research examines the infrastructures (roads, accommodation facilities, and visitor centres) of some parks in the United States and Europe to compare them with the Chinese experience. The analysis revealed a difference in the visiting facilities of European parks compared to those in China and North America. In fact, the management and fruition of European parks seem to have less impact on the territories because they make use of road networks and accommodation facilities already present in the territory and that are often present in small villages. While in the case of China and the USA, it has been necessary to build new visitor centres and accommodation facilities in territories that were often uninhabited.

Identification of Geodiversity and Geosite Assessment around Geohazard Area of Suoh Aspiring Geopark in West Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia

Indonesia has been actively promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agreed upon at the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. Pursuing economic expansion through extraction of natural resources is an obsolete paradigm that is becoming increasingly outdated. Therefore, the geopark concept has broken the idea of economic progress that damages the environment. Geoparks seek to safeguard geodiversity, educate the public about geological history, and assist the long-term economic growth of geopark areas, particularly through geotourism. Geotourism is a sort of creative tourism that is fast growing across the world. This paper aims to assess the existing status and geotourism potential in order to identify the best geosites for the West Lampung region’s initial geopark development. The methods of this study are a geology and geopark literature review, fieldwork, data analysis, and synthesis. The procedure includes inventorying and identifying geodiversity. The study looked at rock and outcrops to piece together the geological history of the West Lampung region. This study showed that the West Lampung region offers several remarkable geosites with significant geotourism development potential. Asam Lake, Nirwana Crater, and Point View Suoh Valley in the Suoh part have the greatest final values, followed by Batubrak Fault Depression in the Fault Depression section. The Batubrak Fault Depression and Asam Lake have significant scientific and tourist value, particularly in terms of portrayal, uniqueness, perspectives, scenery, and natural surroundings. In the Suoh section, Nirwana Crater, Kopi Susu Crater, Keramikan Crater, and Point View Suoh Valley have significant scientific importance but poor educational and tourism value, while the other sites have low scientific, tourist, and educational value, thus placing the area at the bottom of the assessment even though overall it is of medium value. It can be concluded that several geosites in West Lampung have poor value due to some factors such as location accessibility, tourism infrastructure, and location management. Looking at the total findings, basic tourism infrastructure, visitor center, and tour guide services, as well as promotional efforts, are important factors in attracting more tourists to the West Lampung geosites.

The Impacts of Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs) on Local Tourism and Recreation -- Evolving Lessons from Practice

The article examines the nature of impacts of the rapidly growing Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) industry on tourism and recreation in coastal communities, especially in the UK. The multi-methods research approach includes reviews of literature, content of OWF Environmental Statements (ESs) for predicted impacts, recent practice for actual impacts, and the use of mitigation and enhancement measures. Findings from literature indicate that the overall impact on tourism appears relatively benign, and sometimes positive. The UK ES review identified tourism as an important topic, identifying mostly no/negligible predicted negative impacts, and some examples of predicted positive impacts. There is limited use of enhancement measures, including visitor centres and boat trips, and a previously under-reported use of developer community benefits funding for local area recreation and tourism facilities. Recommendations include early engagement with the community, developer long-term commitment to mitigation and enhancement measures, plus monitoring of tourism and recreation impacts over time.

Lod Mozaikleri: Lüks Roma Konağından Kentsel ve Sosyal Değişimin Katalizörüne

In mid-2021, the Museum and Visitor Centre in the city of Lod, Israel, was inaugurated, housing the remains of the magnificent mosaics discovered in the city, to be finally exhibited to the public. This event, almost 25 years after the beginning of the sporadic excavations of the site by the IAA (Israel Antiquities Authority), seems an appropriate moment to briefly recapitulate on the findings, the history of the research and its scientific and, why not, communal significance. This spectacular site consists of a large Roman domus which includes a lavish colorful mosaic paving a large triclinium, that was exposed in the most prestigious museums in the world. Also includes a peristyle courtyard, and various rooms, all paved with luxurious mosaics. The project (excavated in 1996, 2009, 2014 and 2018) attracted the public attention and enjoyed from its beginning incessant media covering. The mosaics, which depict accurately figures from the animal kingdom, were built in the best style of the time, and boast influences from different parts of the empire.The long process has by no means been simple and the difficulties have been numerous, starting with the chronic lack of funds to finance such a project, the initial resistance and distrust of the inhabitants of the neighborhood and the countless logistical, archaeological, and political impediments.The article summarizes the archaeological findings at the mosaic, and also focuses on the process that went through the modest neighborhood that houses it, from the initial opposition and disbelief of the inhabitants towards the authorities to the recognition of the value of the antiquities. The article also reviews the approach to conservation, the philosophy behind the planning of the museum and the hope for integration into the community framework, to create a sense of belonging and local pride. Beyond its outstanding archaeological, artistic, and scientific value, the Lod mosaic, which began its life in the fourth century CE as part of an elitist and wealthy mansion, can today fulfil an important function as a catalyst for social change and improvement.

Chipping Away at the Colonialist Lens

Historic St. Mary’s City, an outdoor living history museum and research center, has been working on realigning its site narrative from a historically colonialist perspective towards a more inclusive, community-driven interpretive scheme. Two projects exemplify the development of this effort since 2018: the design of a long-term exhibition for a new visitor center and a collaborative initiative sparked by the archaeological discovery of the 1634 St. Mary’s Fort. These efforts have not been without missteps. This essay recounts the progress to date of HSMCC’s work to responsibly build partnerships with our community.

Together again at NAM 2022

Abstract Sue Bowler visits the new First Light Visitor Centre at Jodrell Bank

Yes, This Is Architecture

Structural engineer Neil Thomas describes some of the memorable encounters and collaborations with Alsop, particularly the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre that Alsop maintained was inspired by his disposable cigarette lighter. A creative relationship maintained over a timeline that spanned nearly 30 years, Thomas conveys their way of working together that was fuelled by a deep desire to dare to dream met with breathtaking and credible design solutions.

Report on Enquiry Service of the Austrian Parliamentary Administration

Abstract When it comes to information services for citizens, one usually thinks first of those on site – guided tours, events, visitor centres and certainly also online services. The fact that many parliaments and their administrations also offer classic enquiry services is often forgotten, although these are an important offer to citizens. Not least, the massive increase in the workload of the Enquiry Service of the Parliamentary Administration, due to the Corona pandemic and the new digital consultation process on bills established in August 2021, was an occasion to reconsider in an in-depth and structured manner the tasks of a parliamentary citizens' service. The following report summarizes this reflection process.

A grand day out

Abstract Sue Bowler visits the new First Light Visitor Centre at Jodrell Bank

Revitalization of the Waterfront Park Based on Industrial Heritage Using Post-Occupancy Evaluation-A Case Study of Shanghai (China).

With the rapid development of urban construction, the waterfront industrial heritage park has played an active role in shaping the city’s image, regional economic development and environmental improvement, and the continuation of the city’s waterfront history. The waterfront park based on industrial heritage using post-occupancy evaluation will help improve the sustainable management, maintenance, and design level of the project in the future. However, there is insufficient research on the waterfront industrial heritage park using post-occupancy evaluation. This paper takes Shanghai Houtan Park and Xuhui Binjiang Park, the representative industrial heritage parks in China, as the research objects. Through field investigation and nearly 200 questionnaires and interviews regarding user behavior, the importance of design elements (place characteristics, natural environmental characteristics, usability characteristics, and administrative characteristics) and the correlation of satisfaction help us to understand the use of the two parks and analyze and organize the survey data, carrying out the analysis of the questionnaire results using frequency analysis, IPA analysis, t-test, variance analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The research results include: (1) Both parks are mainly used by people in their twenties and forties, and the trail received the highest utilization rate as the main facility, while the visitor center in charge of guiding functions had the lowest utilization rate. (2) While Houtan Park received high satisfaction with natural environmental characteristics, it was found that Xu Hui Binjiang Park had relatively high satisfaction with the place and usability characteristics. (3) The natural environmental characteristics of Houtan Park have a positive impact on overall satisfaction and return visit satisfaction. Site characteristics and utilization characteristics of Xuhui Binjiang Industrial Park have a positive impact on overall satisfaction, while usability characteristics have a positive impact on return visit satisfaction. Finally, according to the questions and suggestions raised by users, an optimization strategy is proposed for the renewal of the park, and it is hoped that it can provide suggestions for the reconstruction and design of similar Chinese waterfront industrial heritage parks.

Understanding visitor awareness and knowledge of marine parks: Insights from the Ningaloo Coast, Australia

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a key policy instrument used for the protection of ocean and coastal environments. However, many MPAs are currently falling short of their intended objectives. Studies show that meaningful public engagement can assist in optimising the outcomes of an MPA by improving stakeholder knowledge, support, and social license, and thus improving voluntary compliance with local MPA regulations. Ensuring more meaningful engagement, however, requires a context specific understanding of how different stakeholder groups understand the MPA, how they acquire that knowledge, and how information delivery can be tailored more effectively to reach the target audience. To that end, this study employed a quantitative survey to explore stakeholder awareness and knowledge of the Ningaloo Marine Park (NMP), a multi-use marine park on the west Australian coastline. Specifically, we surveyed visitors (i.e., tourists) to the Ningaloo region to understand their awareness of the NMP, their knowledge of the marine zoning regulations, and their access to information (N = 169). Results suggest that visitors to the region exhibit low levels of awareness of the primary management bodies, and of the presence of zoning regulations in the NMP. There was also a significant gap in the perceived level of protection afforded by the NMP compared to the actual protection, with visitors believing that the MPA provides more protection of the marine environment than it does in practice. These findings highlight a need for future regional communication strategies to be focused on improving the overall awareness and knowledge of the NMP among visitors through clear, consistent and accessible information. Specifically, visitors indicated that moving forwards, they would like to access this information through visitor centres, on local signage and on websites. The results of this study provide valuable insights for local marine park managers and decision-makers to improve existing communication strategies in order to maximise the ecological, social and economic outcomes of the NMP. These insights also have a wider application for improving ongoing public engagement with MPAs globally, which is particularly important given the rapid designation of MPAs to meet the global target of 30% of global oceans protected by 2030.

Mormonicity

Mormonicity

ОБЩИЕ ПРИНЦИПЫ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ АРХИТЕКТУРЫ ТУРИСТИЧЕСКИХ ВИЗИТ-ЦЕНТРОВ ПРИ ЗАГОРОДНЫХ ПАРКАХ

The article discusses the prerequisites for the appearance of a visit center as a new type of public building that implements the functions of tourism. The main types of parks and conditions that make it expedient to create visit centers are highlighted. Functional differences of visit centers from other types of public buildings, which are formed at country parks of various thematic orientation and size, are determined. The functional composition of the visit centers and the nuances of its formation depending on the type of park in which it is created are analyzed. The aspects of the formation of the master plan and improvement of the visit center are given. The dependence of the construction of the functional structure of the visitor center on the seasonality factor characteristic of tourist activity is considered. The classification of business centers according to the parameter of total area and capacity is proposed, considering the features of the functional composition and the specifics of the organization of spaces. The principles of the architectural and planning organization of the centers are determined. Fluctuations in demand for tourist services are determined. The features of its spatial organization and architectural solutions are analyzed and identified. The role of communication spaces and the exploited roof of the center is highlighted as a specific factor in the integration of the building into the natural context. It is advisable to use in the architectural formation of the concept of a visit center.

Assessing speleoarcheological geoheritage: Linking new Paleolithic discoveries and potential cave tourism destinations in Serbia

The aim of this paper is to perform a tourist assessment of the representative speleoarchaeological geoheritage in Serbia for the purposes of establishing new cave tourism destinations in Serbia. Seven caves have been selected based on their speleoarcheological values. However, only two of them are currently available for visiting. The research results were obtained by using the M-GAM model and they indicate exceptional tourist potential which still remains mainly untapped. To maximize this potential and develop this type of tourism in the future, an initiative strategy for the inclusion of speleoarchaeological values into contemporary tourism flows was also proposed. The focus is set on the establishment of speleoarchaeological visitor centers and a unique tourist affirmation of the researched scientific and educational potential. The presented strategy must be set as a priority in the future in order to contribute to further sustainability of scientific and socio-economic progress through speleotourism development.

Welcome Back to New Orleans!

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Annual MeetingFull AccessWelcome Back to New Orleans!Margaret Bishop Baier, M.D., President, Louisiana Psychiatric Medical AssociationMargaret Bishop BaierSearch for more papers by this author, M.D., President, Louisiana Psychiatric Medical AssociationPublished Online:9 May 2022https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2022.05.5.39On behalf of the Louisiana Psychiatric Medical Association (LPMA), I want to welcome APA members and guests to New Orleans for our live Annual Meeting. As an APA district branch of the APA, LPMA supports the mission of advocacy for our patients and our profession through education, legislative action, research, and community outreach. We are a diverse group of psychiatrists living and practicing in Louisiana, and we are proud to welcome you into our home state.Many of you have visited us before and will relish reconnecting with colleagues while dining at your favorite restaurant or listening to some live local music. For those who are first time visitors to New Orleans, you are in for a real treat—lots of treats in fact! Much like the APA meeting itself, your host city offers an embarrassment of riches to share with you.While at this year’s meeting, I encourage you to read folks’ nametags—those who have Louisiana on their badge will be able to point you in the direction of their personally reviewed “five-bean”–rated restaurant for local specialties of red beans and rice, gumbo, jambalaya, beignets, etouffee, and a variety of seafood dishes. Though many visitors plan their trips around the meals they share, it's not all about the food. Most New Orleanians are equally eager to share recommendations on where to satisfy your tastes for live music: We are proud of our Grammy award–winning artists who perform in venues along Frenchman and Bourbon streets, as well as in their own namesake clubs and at some of the major hotels. If you’re interested, make a reservation for a jazz, gospel, or drag brunch, and you’ll enjoy an outstanding meal and show.The Historic New Orleans Collection, Jazz Museum, Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, French Quarter Visitors Center, and World War II Museum are among those within a half hour’s walk from the Convention Center. The African American Museum, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and numerous other art galleries are worth the pedicab or Uber ride fare. A streetcar-ride away from downtown along the oak-lined St Charles Avenue line will allow you to take in the architecture of the Garden District-Universities neighborhood, while the Canal Street/Cemeteries Line will take you through the MidCity–City Park neighborhoods. Shopping opportunities include shops for antiques and collectables along Royal Street and Magazine Street, with outlet stores close by at the Riverwalk.Saturday morning yoga at the Cabildo or beginner twerk classes at Crescent Park as well as bicycle and kayak rentals along Bayou St. John and the Lafitte Greenway are fun options for getting moving and outside.Do not worry if you cannot get your fill of the music, food, and beautiful architecture of our city in your few days here: To avoid FOMO, just start planning your next visit before you leave.Again–welcome back. We’re glad you’re here! ■ ISSUES NewArchived