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Case Study I

The Southernmost Tip of Mainland Asia

Visitor interpretation is used by visitor attractions to tell a story about a site’s

significance and its context (physical, natural, social, aesthetic or spiritual). The

purpose of visitor interpretation is informal education and first-hand

participatory learning, often about heritage (Moscardo, 1996) or natural

environments (Sharpe, 1982). But interpretation is also used to enhance

knowledge of authenticity (Firth, 2011; McIntosh & Prentice, 1999), stimulate

change in attitudes and behaviour (Armstrong & Weiler, 2002) and explain

ideologies (Lia et al., 2010).

Interpretation is complemented by visitor management tools such as

information and directional signage and trail design (Hughes et al., 2009; Orams,

1995). An interpretation of a particular tourism area specifically in an

environmental protection type of area bears the purpose of conveying

information as well as educating visitors. Such process is to raise visitors’

understanding using interpretation resources that exist throughout the visited

area.

Tg. Piai is a coastal mangrove area in the Pontian district of Johor state. It is

generally known for its geographical feature, being the southernmost tip of

mainland Asia. Ever since it was recognized as a Johore National Park in 1997,

Perbadanan Taman Negara Johor (PTNJ) has been the biggest stakeholder that

runs and maintains the park area. In 2003 it was internationally recognized as

one of three Ramsar protected sites in the state of Johore.

Tanjung Piai, Johor has been chosen as location destination for interpretation

project. This is a project that improves and enriches a nature experience by

helping visitors to develop a strong sense of understanding and appreciation of

a place. You need to do an interpretation based on the worksheet proposed,

which focused on: Why are you doing this-what are you hoping to achieve?;

What will you interpret?; Who is it for?; How will you do it?; How will it be

managed? and; Monitoring and evaluation.

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