Page 25 - VISITOR INTERPRETATION SERVICES
P. 25

Environmental interpretation is

                                                                                                                                         an environmental education
                         The process of appropriate                             Environmental interpretation in

                         visitor management is an                               tourism destination is considered                        activity which examines and

                         integral part of sound tourism                         to be an effective visitor                               reveals in an attractive way the

                         management. Visitor                                    management strategy that helps                           characteristics of an area and


                         management includes the                                to encourage visitors to adopt                           its biophysical and cultural

                         development and                                        more appropriate behaviour in                            relation-ships, through direct

                         implementation of rules and                            order to sustain the development                         experiences which generate


                         regulations with respect to                            of tourism.                                              enjoyment, sensitivity,

                         visitor activity, which in turn                                                                                 knowledge and commitment to

                         provides the guidelines for                                                                                     the values interpreted.

                         visitors. On the other hand, it

                         also aims to create enjoyable


                         visitor experiences in the hope

                         that visitors will appreciate the

                         value of the site.

































































                                 An effective ecotour interpreter and experience can result in




                             environmental and cultural conscious tourists, has the potential



                                          to protect biodiversity, and creates business benefits.










                         It is an instrument which facilitates the                                               Interpretation and ecotourism can be practiced

                         management of sites with potential attractions                                          together as a way to: fund conservation and

                         for visitors (protected natural spaces,                                                 scientific research, protect fragile and pristine


                         archeological sites, etc.) for the purpose of                                           ecosystems, benefit rural communities,

                         obtaining support from the public for                                                   promote development in poor countries,

                         conservation tasks. It seeks to communicate the                                         enhance ecological and cultural sensitivity, and


                         values of natural and cultural heritage, prevent                                        instill environmental awareness

                         negative effects, and contribute to the processes

                         of conservation which are being developed in

                         the area











                                                                                                                                                                                      Page 20
   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30