Visitors to the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island : attractions, satisfations, and senses of place

Abstract

Visitors to the West Coast of the South Island were interviewed (using a survey questionnaire and in-depth interview techniques) in order to determine their satisfactions with the attractions which they had visited.

The results of this study indicate that country of origin, stage in family life cycle, and the level of their prior-experience with the area all influence the activities visitors choose, and from this their satisfactions. These satisfactions were largely based around the natural and historic features of the Coast.

In-depth interviews with visitors to the Coast revealed a number of senses of place which were held by those visitors. The strongest of these were based around the natural and historic features of the area. Analysis of these senses of place pointed to the possibility that the psychological, aesthetic, and self-actualisation needs of visitors were being met by the experience, thus giving rise to feelings of satisfaction.

Finally, the study recommended that the provision of access, careful development, retention, preservation, and signposting of natural and historic features of the Coast should be afforded a high priority if current levels of visitor satisfaction are to be maintained or increased.