Visitor Attitudes to Stonehenge
International Icon or National Disgrace
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12886341 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Peter Mason (0000-0002-8732-8636, University of Bedfordshire, corresponding author), I-Ling Kuo (London Metropolitan University) |
| Year | 2007 |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 168-183 |
| Publication date | 2007-11-26 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Heritage Tourism (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1743-873X • E-ISSN: 1747-6631 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.2167/jht058.0 |
| OpenAlex | W1972629973 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 13 |
Stonehenge is the UK's major prehistoric tourism attraction, with almost 1 million annual visitors, one of the top 10 UK visitor attractions since the early 1990s and an international icon used in tourism marketing. However, Stonehenge is controversial; major issues are access, authenticity and interpretation, with the actual visitor experience being criticised and termed ‘a national disgrace’ by British Members of Parliament (MPs). This paper reports on research conducted at Stonehenge in late summer and early autumn 2004. This involved a questionnaire survey that asked about motivations, visitor impacts and satisfaction levels. Results reveal educational factors to be major motivators and that Stonehenge is a World Heritage Site was also an important motivation. The results reveal a variety of views, and a more complex picture than is apparent from much rhetoric concerning Stonehenge as a visitor attraction. Overseas visitors were more positive in their reaction than British visitors, first time visitors more satisfied than repeat visitors and female visitors somewhat more positive in their reaction than men. In terms of their experience, and largely contradicting the UK Government committee claims, the majority of visitors indicated that Stonehenge has good interpretation, a fair entrance charge, provides good value for money and, overall, is an enjoyable experience
Archaeology · Art · Icon · Visitor pattern · Computer Science · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · History · Religious Tourism and Spaces · Urban Development and Cultural Heritage
Remake/Remodel
What’s the meaning of Stonehenge? An exploration of responses to the archaeological site through ‘below the line’ comments in British newspapers
In search of authenticity
Translating heritage
World heritage site management
The effects of heritage image on destination branding
Unesco Sites as Public Goods
| Unique citing works | 7 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.44 |
| Citation span | 2010 - 2026 (17) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 6 |