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Contrasting appreciation of the Tasmanian wilderness: mediating the Chinese visitor experience from a cultural complexity approach
conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-23, 14:57 authored by Zhang, WW, Can Seng OoiCan Seng Ooi, Yue MaYue MaThis exploratory study focuses on the diverse appreciation of the Tasmanian wilderness in the eyes of Chinese visitors. In response against an essentialist approach to understanding Chinese visitors and in addressing the criticism that a more dynamic and fluid understanding of culture is mainly academic and not useful for the practice community, this study adopts a cultural complexity approach to understand Chinese interpretation and comprehension of wilderness. It suggests that tourism mediators can utilise the range of contrasting appreciation of a site to engage visitors and shape their experiences. By analysing posts on Cradle Mountain - a premier Tasmanian wilderness site - at a popular Chinese travel blog website, we have identified a range of ‘reference points’ that can be used in tourist experience mediation. We postulate that by invoking the range of them in the mediation process, together with local interpretation and knowledge, visitors can create more endearing and engaging experiences.
History
Publication title
‘Transformations in Uncertain times: Future perfect in tourism, hospitality and events’ - Proceedings of the 31st Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE)Editors
P Jose, M Sigala, P Whitelaw and I YePagination
295-298ISBN
978-0-9945141-5-8Department/School
School of Social SciencesPublisher
CAUTHEPlace of publication
AustraliaEvent title
31st Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality EducationEvent Venue
Virtual Conference, Online (Fremantle, Australia)Date of Event (Start Date)
2021-02-09Date of Event (End Date)
2021-02-12Rights statement
Copyright unknownRepository Status
- Restricted