A Pearl of Wonders: The Creation of Perlan Museum and the Value of Simulated Natural Attractions for Nature Conservation

• Main Author: Elisa Maccagnoni 1988-
• Other Authors: Háskóli Íslands
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Ferðamálafræði; Perlan; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/38553

The recent growth in the number of foreign visitors coming to Iceland for its unique nature has raised concerns over the wellbeing of the country’s delicate natural resources and the negative impact tourism might have on Iceland’s fragile nature. At the same time, a recent trend noticeable in Iceland has been the development of indoor simulations of natural attractions that, through the use of multisensorial technologies, offer visitors realistic and nature-like experiences. In light of the environmental issues connected to tourism that Iceland is facing, this research seeks to explore the potential contribution of museums simulated natural attractions for nature conservation in Iceland. The research was conducted in Perlan’s Wonders of Iceland Museum, a popular attraction offering exhibits on Icelandic nature and nature simulations, including a man-made ice cave and a bird cliff replica. Data was collected through qualitative semi-structured interviews with people who contributed to the construction and design of the exhibits. Findings shed light on the processes behind the construction of nature and value creation in the museum, as well as on the way nature simulations can shape human-nature relations. Perlan museum can be understood as a network where relations performed among various human and non-human actors have influenced the construction of engaging and realistic simulated natural attractions that can assume different values, including educational and conservational. The attractions are aimed at raising awareness on environmental issues, inspiring affective nature connectedness, and promoting ethics of care. This is believed to foster human-nature relations and promote pro-environmental behaviours in visitors, which can be positive for nature conservation. Fjölgun erlendra ferðamanna, sem sækja Ísland heim vegna einstæðrar náttúru landsins, hefur opnað augu manna fyrir þeim neikvæðu áhrifum sem ferðamennska getur haft á viðkvæma náttúru þess. Á sama tíma hefur fjölgað sýningum með eftirmyndum af ...