“The End of the Ice Age?”: Visitor motivations to experience disappearing world heritage and the climate change communication imperative

Rapid environmental change in vulnerable destinations has stimulated a new form of travel termed ‘last chance tourism’ (LCT). Studies have examined the risks of LCT, while leaving potential opportunities within this new tourism market largely underexplored. Results of survey (n=399) research in Jasp...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lemieux, Christopher J., Groulx, Mark, Halpenny, Elizabeth, Stager, Heather, Dawson, Jackie, Stewart, Emma J., Hvenegaard, Glen T.
Format: Other/Unknown Material
Language:English
Published: 2018
Subjects:
last chance tourism
interpretation
destination marketing
climate change
parks and protected areas
Canada
glacier*
Online Access:https://era.library.ualberta.ca/items/6d7ef1d5-d9ec-4e7c-aae7-1d6eed9a3f67
https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-p81w-aq07
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Summary:Rapid environmental change in vulnerable destinations has stimulated a new form of travel termed ‘last chance tourism’ (LCT). Studies have examined the risks of LCT, while leaving potential opportunities within this new tourism market largely underexplored. Results of survey (n=399) research in Jasper National Park, Canada reveal that a LCT motivation influences decisions to visit this iconic Canadian destination, and suggest that this motivation is linked to a desire to learn about the impacts of climate change on the Athabasca Glacier. Findings suggest there may be short to medium term opportunities associated with LCT, including promoting climate change ambassadorship through management interventions. This paper discusses a range of possible education, interpretive, and outreach activities that might be employed at LCT destinations. It outlines the relative merits (or what we refer to as ‘uneasy benefits’) of promoting the glacier and other LCT destinations within a protected areas management context.

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