Why Is Interpretation Used as a Tool to Manage the Tourist Experience?
Introduction
In order to discover why interpretation is used as a tool to manage the tourist experience, we must first understand what a tourist is and their motivation behind travelling; as well as the definition of ‘interpretation’ in the context of tourism.
For the purpose of this paper we will define ‘tourist’ using Leiper’s definition from ‘Tourism Management’.
He described tourists as people seeking recreational or creative understandings and experiences and desire leisure away from their home. He states 'involves leisure experiences which include personal contact with features of characteristics of places visited ' Leiper (1995, p.144).
The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘interpretation’ as
Interpretation: noun
[mass noun] * the action of explaining the meaning of something: the interpretation of data * [count noun] an explanation or way of explaining: this action is open to a number of interpretations * [count noun] a stylistic representation of a creative work or dramatic role: his unique interpretation of the Liszt etudes
The interpretation of a destination, event or attraction is regarded as a key component of the traveller & tourists experience.
Stewart (et al, 1998, p257) observes that interpretation within the realms of tourism aims to stimulate, facilitate and extend people’s understanding of place so that empathy towards the destination can be developed. This empathy with the destination creates an understanding between people & place enabling the traveller and the destination to share a link.
The use of interpretation.
Different interpretations of destinations, sites and attractions can be found in travel aids such as internet blogs and websites, in travel guide and magazines, as well as officially sanctioned interpretations by the host country in the forms of tour guides and visitor centres.
Different guide books, tour guides, postcards & magazines may all present a different interpretation of the same
In order to discover why interpretation is used as a tool to manage the tourist experience, we must first understand what a tourist is and their motivation behind travelling; as well as the definition of ‘interpretation’ in the context of tourism.
For the purpose of this paper we will define ‘tourist’ using Leiper’s definition from ‘Tourism Management’.
He described tourists as people seeking recreational or creative understandings and experiences and desire leisure away from their home. He states 'involves leisure experiences which include personal contact with features of characteristics of places visited ' Leiper (1995, p.144).
The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘interpretation’ as
Interpretation: noun
[mass noun] * the action of explaining the meaning of something: the interpretation of data * [count noun] an explanation or way of explaining: this action is open to a number of interpretations * [count noun] a stylistic representation of a creative work or dramatic role: his unique interpretation of the Liszt etudes
The interpretation of a destination, event or attraction is regarded as a key component of the traveller & tourists experience.
Stewart (et al, 1998, p257) observes that interpretation within the realms of tourism aims to stimulate, facilitate and extend people’s understanding of place so that empathy towards the destination can be developed. This empathy with the destination creates an understanding between people & place enabling the traveller and the destination to share a link.
The use of interpretation.
Different interpretations of destinations, sites and attractions can be found in travel aids such as internet blogs and websites, in travel guide and magazines, as well as officially sanctioned interpretations by the host country in the forms of tour guides and visitor centres.
Different guide books, tour guides, postcards & magazines may all present a different interpretation of the same
References: Adams, K, 1984, 'Come to Tana Toraja, "Kand of the Heavenly Kings": Travel Agents as Brokers in Ethnicity ', Annals of tourism research, vol. 11, no. 3 Bhattacharyya, D, 1997, 'Mediating India: An Analysis of a Guidebook ', Annals of tourism research, vol. 24, no.2 Cohen, E, Nir, Y, Almagor, U 1992, 'Stranger-local interaction in photography ', Annals of tourism research, vol 19 Leiper, N, 1995, Tourism management, RMIT Press, Melbourne Stuart, E, Hayward, B, Devlin, P & Kirby, VG 1998, 'The "place" of interpretation: a new approach to the evaluation of interpretation ', Tourism management, vol. 19