The document discusses interpretation in tourism. Interpretation takes factual information and turns it into something more meaningful for visitors by providing context and weaving facts into stories. It enables visitors to gain insights and understanding. Interpretation benefits visitors through enhancing experiences, fulfilling curiosity and creating meaning. It benefits operators by potentially leading to more satisfied customers who promote the business and create repeat business. Interpretation also benefits the environment by building relationships between visitors and the environment and raising environmental awareness.

1. Interpretation in Tourism Hillary Jenkins, Otago Polytechnic 2008

2. What is it? Interpretation is the means by which tour guides turn factual information into something more meaningful for a visitor

3. Definition interpretation is… an explanation of the natural, cultural or historic values attached to places. It enables visitors to gain insights and understanding about the reasons for conservation and ongoing protection of heritage. New Zealand Department of Conservation

4. Interpretation What is the difference between information and interpretation? A sound knowledge of factual information is required for interpretation but…it is more than just facts. Interpretation gives facts, context, elaborates on them and weaves them into stories.

5. Example Information The Southern Alps have formed along a tectonic plate boundary and are eroded by weather. The erosion rate and the uplift rate are very similar.

6. Example Interpretation Colliding plates on the earth’s surface created the Southern Alps. Just as when you push two pieces of paper together they buckle, fold and rise, so does the earth. Weather is working to slow the rise of the mountains, by tearing away at them with wind, rain and snow. As much as the Southern Alps get pushed up each year, the weather wears them back down again so they stay a fairly constant height .

7. Your turn Here are some facts (information) turn them into an interpretation Have a look at the website for further information You have 15 minutes.

8. Activity One Information The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust’s 20 th anniversary conference to be held in October Tourism Minister Damien O’Connor and Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin will open it Focus – economic impact of wildlife and eco-tourism on Otago Peninsula Also covers natural history and development of peninsula http://www.yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz/news/2007conference.html

9. Interpretation A key focus of the October Yellow eyed Penguin Trust’s 20 th anniversary conference, will be the economic impact of wildlife and eco-tourism on Otago Peninsula. Tourism Minister Damien O’Connor and Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin will be opening the conference which will also be looking at …

10. Benefits of interpretation Interpretation Environment Operators Visitors Tourism Industry

11. Benefits for a visitor Interpretation enhances visitor experiences by: Being relevant and interactive Fulfilling their curiosity Creating meaning Entertaining Provoking thought

12. Benefits for operators Interpretation may enhance experiences, which leads to more satisfied customers who are more likely to:

13. Benefits for operators Promote your business through word of mouth Create repeat business Purchase something as a memory of the place Stay longer

14. Benefits for operators Tours based on an interpretive approach can also help: Attract higher customer numbers Distinguish your operation as offering something different Encourage actions to protect the environment your business is based on Gain more job satisfaction

15. Environment Interpretation helps build a relationship between the visitor and the environment Evokes curiosity about the environment Raises awareness of our unique flora, fauna and cultural history Educates about looking after those values

16. Through interpretation, understanding; through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection Tilden (1977, Interpreting our heritage)

17. Activity Go to the blog and complete the following exercise: Describing a location