Humpback whale encounters: encouraging pro-environmental behaviours

Rosie Hoberg; Lee Kannis-Dymand; Kate Mulgrew; Vikki Schaffer; Eleanor Clark

doi:10.1080/13683500.2020.1808597

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Humpback whale encounters: encouraging pro-environmental behaviours

Rosie Hoberg, Lee Kannis-Dymand, Kate Mulgrew, Vikki Schaffer and Eleanor Clark

Current Issues in Tourism, Vol.24(13), pp.1918-1929

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2020.1808597

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Abstract

conservation psychology

humpback whale encounter

cognitive hierarchy theory

wildlife value orientations

wildlife tourism

pro-environmental intentions

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of whale encounters on tourists' pro-environmental intentions, and possible influences of individual characteristics. Data were collected from whale watching/swim-with-whale experiences within Australia and the Kingdom of Tonga. Comparison of pre and post trip survey data (N = 267) indicated that engaging and reflecting during the experience was positively associated with pro-environmental intentions following the encounter. However, tourists who reportedly lacked mutualistic values, displayed a low awareness of consequences, or adopted non-nature-based tourism motivations were less likely to engage and reflect. Therefore, tour operators should aim to facilitate cognitive and affective processing during wildlife encounters, especially for groups that are less likely to engage as this could both increase experience satisfaction and the potential for attitude and behaviour change. Further exploration of these complex relationships and their application are recommended to maximize environmental protection efforts while minimizing the ecological impacts of wildlife tourism.

Details

Title: Humpback whale encounters: encouraging pro-environmental behaviours
Authors: Rosie Hoberg (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
Lee Kannis-Dymand (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
Kate Mulgrew (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
Vikki Schaffer (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, USC Business School - Legacy
Eleanor Clark (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Social Sciences - Legacy
Publication details: Current Issues in Tourism, Vol.24(13), pp.1918-1929
Publisher: Routledge
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1080/13683500.2020.1808597
ISSN: 1747-7603
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; Sustainability Research Cluster; School of Business and Creative Industries; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Health - Psychology; Cancer Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99482208102621
Output Type: Journal article