Glacier tourism and climate change in Westland 'Tai Poutini' National Park: Is the visitor experience shrinking with the ice?

Abstract

The glaciers of Westland Tai Poutini National Park are iconic components of the New Zealand tourism experience, and for over 150 years have attracted tourists to this geographically peripheral region. These sub-alpine rivers of ice are now in dramatic retreat, to the extent that the tourist experience is now very different than it was even five years ago. This study reports on a survey of 500 visitors to the Glaciers during the New Zealand summer of 2013/14, in which respondents were asked to reflect on their experience of the Glaciers, including aspects of expectation and satisfaction with the conditions they experienced. The results demonstrate the fundamental importance of seeing the glacier as a travel motive, and suggest that for some visitors at least, there is a ‘last chance’ dimension to their experience. The future of visitor activity patterns and implications for tourism operators and protected area management are discussed.