Environmentalism and Tourists' Experiences on Swim-With Dolphins Tours

Over the past decades, the demand for nature-based§tourism has increased drastically, with a§particularly high demand for whale and dolphin§watching. This study examines environmental values,§attitudes and behaviour of tourists on dolphin tours§in New Zealand, and how they relate to their on-tour§experiences. A demographic profile of participants§formed the basis for these analyses, which employed§the New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) scale, the§Environmental Concern (EC) scale, and the General§Measure of Ecological Behavior (GEB). Factors§contributing to the visitor experience, including§interpretation and education, tourist satisfaction,§and perceived crowding were also addressed. Results§indicate that tourists on dolphin tours generally§embrace high environmental values and attitudes,§although their environmental behaviour does not§consistently reflect this. Demographic§characteristics have insignificant influence on both§the environmental consciousness, and the on-tour§experience. Tour staff have good knowledge about§dolphins, but respondents expect more information§about the wider marine environment. Crowding is a§minor problem that does not seem to influence the§experience.