ACS Monterey Bay Program for January 2004
Whale Watching: does pre-trip education add to the
enjoyment of whale watching customers on Monterey Bay?
 |
|
Today, whale watching is one of the most popular forms of nature-based tourism (ecotourism) and can be found in coastal regions throughout the world. One of the unanswered questions is its interrelationship with environmental education. The focus of Hiro's study is to identify the effectiveness of customer education by answering the following question: "Can pre-trip education about whales and the Monterey Bay ecosystem add to the customer's enjoyment of a whale watching experience?"
For the purpose of this study, educational posters were designed, and pre-trip educational orientations were organized. To measure the effectiveness, a first post-trip survey (without pre-trip education) was taken from 204 whale-watching customers, and a second survey (with pre-trip education) was taken from 202 whale watching customers. Survey collection took place in summer 2003. Whale watching customers were asked to participate in this self-administered survey after the trip, on the dock. This research was accomplished in full cooperation with Monterey Bay Whale Watch, a commercial trip operator.
The presentation will also include photographs of the principal species of marine mammals observed on these trips.
Educating visitors can not only make their trip more enjoyable but can also convey a strong conservation message.
This study is part of a Master's Degree of Environmental Management at Duke University. Please join us for a report on a pioneering study and learn about the expectations and trip approval factors of local whale watch passengers. Local people involved with eco-tourism should also find this program of interest.
Related web pages:
- Back to list of previous meetings.
|| Glossary || ACS Monterey Bay home page ||
Last
updated February 4, 2004.