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

February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,

Scotland

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).

Questions

February 17th, 20122012 Adventure Conference – Fort William,

Scotland