Cross-cultural dimensions of heritage interpretation in New Zealand national parks : a case study of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Abstract

Heritage interpretation is an educational activity designed to develop visitors’ deep appreciation and enjoyment of heritage resources through first-hand experiences. Previous research has established that heritage interpretation delivered appropriately, can contribute to conservation objectives and meaningful recreation experiences for visitors to protected areas. While the merits of heritage interpretation in mono-cultural contexts are well documented, the extent to which such benefits are evident in cross-cultural settings is less clear. Due to possible cultural difficulties in international tourism settings, heritage interpretation in protected areas is often delivered by commercial tour guides who communicate between the resource management agency and cross-cultural visitors. Considering heritage interpretation both as a message-delivery process and as a meaning-making process, the current research aims to critically analyse cross-cultural communication between cross-cultural visitors, the resource management agency and tour guides in heritage interpretation settings, with an emphasis on the role of tour guides. This thesis outlines a case study of heritage interpretation for Japanese visitors to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and presents the results and discussion about heritage interpretation for cross-cultural visitors. Data from the fieldwork, undertaken in May 2011, is presented, and the results of 17 semi-structured interviews, conducted with managers and staff of the national park and guiding companies, are discussed. Ultimately, this project will provide insights into how heritage interpretation can best be delivered to cross-cultural visitors so that it achieves the interpretation goals of resource managers and tourism operators in protected areas.