Environmental Education in Ecotourism Destinations: Visitor Experience on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand

Abstract

Ecotourism destinations promote local history and culture and environmental awareness through education. However, there is a dearth of knowledge about the visitor experience of environmental education for promoting a sense of environmental awareness and pro-environmental behaviours. This study examines the visitor experience of environmental education programmes on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand, and related impacts on their knowledge, awareness and intentions. The findings of this study suggested that the educational programmes on Tiritiri Matangi Island, including the guided walk, signage and storytelling, had transformative impacts on visitors as they came without the intent to learn and left feeling more knowledgeable and interested in conservation and responsible tourism.