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This paper presents a case study of the Strahan Visitor Centre, Tasmania, Australia. We surveyed 252 on-site visitors using a structured questionnaire to determine who used the Centre and their assessment of the facility. Eight key informants with direct experience in Tasmania's tourism industry, or the design, management and operation of visitor centres, were interviewed to elicit their opinions on the Centre and the associated interpretation. The case study results, together with the qualitative, semi-structured key informant interviews, are used to discuss the main elements supporting sustainable visitor centres. This research identifies that it is not enough to only assess a visitor centre's sustainability by its popularity with visitors. It is also important to consider the needs of managers, operators, and local and cultural communities. Recommendations include adopting a consultative approach and involving stakeholders when planning, designing and operating visitor centres and valuing community, cultural and social capital when constructing new facilities.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Sustainable tourism; Visitor centre; Community consultation; Interpretation; Tasmania; Australia
Research Division:	Environmental Sciences
Research Group:	Other environmental sciences
Research Field:	Other environmental sciences not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Commercial Services and Tourism
Objective Group:	Tourism services
Objective Field:	Tourism infrastructure development
UTAS Author:	Fallon, LD (Ms Liza Fallon)
UTAS Author:	Kriwoken, LK (Dr Lorne Kriwoken)
ID Code:	27930
Year Published:	2003
Web of Science® Times Cited:	60
Deposited By:	Geography and Environmental Studies
Deposited On:	2003-08-01
Last Modified:	2010-06-18
Downloads:	13 View Download Statistics