Dissertation
Enclosure Settings and Interpretation at Aquaria to Influence Visitor Response
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast
2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00583
Abstract
The aquaria industry is driven by international strategies and social pressure to communicate conservation and / or research messages via interpretation and entertainment. Mission statements, promotional tools and the experience aquaria deliver on-site through enclosures need to reflect these messages. If the aquarium industry is to achieve their aims, it is essential to understand how characteristics of enclosure settings influence visitor responses. This dissertation reports an exploratory study of how enclosure settings and environmental interpretation at aquaria influence visitor responses. A content analysis of the promotional tools and mission statements of five Australian aquaria, in 2003 and 2008, finds a mismatch between messages communicated about conservation, research, interpretation and entertainment. Aquaria have not responded to strategies and pressure by placing more emphasis on these attributes in 2008. This study provides a rationale for the need to assist the industry in moving towards achieving their organisational aims through improving the experience delivered via enclosures. Physical characteristics of enclosures and their relationship with visitor perceptions and emotional responses are investigated. A panel of three people visited five aquaria and measured their perceptions of twenty-one enclosures. Physical characteristics of each setting were also recorded. Analysis identified relationships between perceptions and physical characteristics.
Details
- Title
- Enclosure Settings and Interpretation at Aquaria to Influence Visitor Response
- Authors
- Sonia Marshall
- Contributors
- R W (Bill) Carter (Supervisor)
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00583
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449797102621
- Output Type
- Dissertation