adding meaning to the visitor experience
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ESTC 2008: Adding meaning to the Visitor Experience - Mr. Chuck Lennox, Cascade Interpretive ConsultingTRANSCRIPT
Adding Meaning to the Visitor Experience
Interpretation and Ecotourism
Chuck Lennox
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008© 2008 Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Interpretation and Meaning
What is interpretation? Interpretation is a communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource.
National Association for Interpretation
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008© 2008 Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Interpretation and MeaningWhat is interpretation? Interpretation is:
National Association for Interpretation
• communication process• emotional and intellectual connections• interests of the audience• meanings inherent in the resource
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008© 2008 Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Interpretation and MeaningHelping visitors make meaning gives them an opportunity to develop a sense of stewardship
….and encourages loyalty to your business or operation
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008© 2008 Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Interpretation and Meaning
Factors supporting the interpretive process include:
Leisure setting Openness to new experiences Power of group learning
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008© 2008 Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Interpretation and MeaningWeave, Immerse, Infuse
MarketingEvents Activities
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008© 2008 Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Interpretation and MeaningInterpretation must take into account
Basic visitor needs Visitor expectations Learning styles Setting
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008© 2008 Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Interpretation and MeaningGetting Results – Invest in Employees
Plan for SuccessHiring ProcessStaff Training Work Culture Internal Champion
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008© 2008 Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Interpretation and Meaning
Staff Training
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008© 2008 Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Interpretation and MeaningEmphasize the Visitor Experience and the Interpretive Moment
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008© 2008 Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Interpretation and Meaning
Interpretation is a seed not a tree….plant it and watch it grow!
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2008© 2008 Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Seattle, Washingtonwww.interpconsulting.com
Chuck Lennox