outcomes of adventure: processing the 'antarctic experience' pat maher, ph.d. associate...
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Outcomes of adventure: Processing the 'Antarctic experience'Pat Maher, Ph.D.Associate Professor -- Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management Program Visiting Scholar -- Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,
Scotland
Overview
A paradox in thinking
The who and the where
A framework
Experience
Methods
Results
ConclusionsFebruary 17th, 2012
2012 Adventure Conference – Fort William, Scotland
February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,
Scotland
Adventure is just bad
planning
Roald Amundsen
A FrameworkExtraordinary Experience -- Adapted from: Beedie & Hudson
(2003)
Transition TransitionExperience
Take urban frame in Bring Antarctic frame out
Home On the Ice Home
February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,
Scotland
Experience
Recent conceptual developments: De-differentiation of everyday life and touristic
experience Pluralizing the conceptualization Focus toward the subjective negotiation of
meanings Move to relative and complementary
interpretations
(From: Uriely, 2005)
February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,
Scotland
The ‘Antarctic Experience’
Elements of the Commercial Tourism Experiences
February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,
Scotland
Excitement profile of a successful polar cruise experience. (Source: Grenier, 2004, p. 269)
February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,
Scotland
Methods
Anticipation• Mail out surveys or journals• In-depth interviews
On-site• Journals• Informal interviews• Observation and familiarisation
Recollection• In-depth interviews• ‘E-surveys’
February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,
Scotland
Results
Belief that visitation is ‘a good thing’.
Critical awareness.
Mood ebbs and flows, but is generally positive or clarified if negative.
Scenery appears the most important motivator, education and a ‘life long dream’ frequently mentioned, status not important at all.
Scenery and wildlife create much stronger imagery than science and history.
February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,
Scotland
My first impression of Antarctica - wonder, awe. So much beauty and so clear - a magic day. Unbelievable.
Arriving in Antarctica, I am jumping up and down with excitement.
…unforgettable…could spend the rest of my life trying to reproduce that feeling. The vastness was astonishing… I had an immediate feeling of elation and delight.
I think of the Antarctic Explorers who braved the coldest, windiest place on earth for months at a time, without the relief of a warm room, or even dry clothes, at the end of the day.
The trip has been the fulfilment of a long and dearly held dream…The reality was all I had hoped for and much much more.
Overall though, I have felt pretty humble over the past few days as I realise just how lucky I am to be here and see this continent…Now that I am here, I want to see everything…
On reflection, I can honestly say that my 17 days there have been perhaps the most enjoyable of my life…I think if the experience has changed me in any way it has given me a more ‘just do it’ attitude…
…It was a fantastic trip, packed with memorable moments - the trip of a lifetime and probably a life-changing event for me.
It has been a wonderful 4 weeks. Experiences that are not captured on film and will be hard to describe.
Antarctica strikes me as not much different than anywhere we live. It’s up to you to get out and experience it.
…it was wonderful to have participated - most of all to push the boundaries of our comfort zone. Yes it was scary on several occasions. As a learning experience this one must be rated ten out of ten.
Results, continued…
Experience is always shared.
Nearly all expectations are exceeded.
Little intention to change behaviour due to trip.• Though most would still label themselves
as ‘ambassadors’ for the continent. • And are quite critical of how important
their experience has been, i.e. where the need for the public to discover the Antarctic hands-on, fits with science and preservation.
February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,
Scotland
Conclusions
Visitors have had a unique experience, which individually has made them think about life and/or the continent.
Although educated and aware, visitors may not act.
But…• How does understanding experience,
longitudinally, effect how visitors (and future visitor experiences) should be managed or regulated?
• Are the outcomes of these adventures worth the impacts?
February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,
Scotland
Thanks to:
February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,
Scotland
P. Maher: PhD Viva Lincoln University, New Zealand -- Feb
15 Environment, Society & Design Division
Thanks to the participants, who gave their time and personal insight, and those who provide opportunities for people to visit the RSR and assisted with carrying out my research (Antarctica New Zealand, Heritage Expeditions, Gateway Antarctica at the University of Canterbury, Quark Expeditions).