Making memories that matter

How do different recollections of an Antarctic tourism experience impact future conservation behavior

Bibliographic Data

ID7324319
AuthorsDaniela Cajiao (0000-0003-0816-2138, North Carolina State University, corresponding author), Lincoln R Larson (0000-0001-9591-1269, North Carolina State University), Yu-Fai Leung (0000-0002-0928-798X, North Carolina State University), Julianne Reas (0009-0006-6993-5279, North Carolina State University)
Year2023
Volume32
Issue10
Pages2159-2180
Publication date2023-10-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Sustainable Tourism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0966-9582 • E-ISSN: 1747-7646
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09669582.2023.2272224
OpenAlexW4388100924
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited75

Antarctic tourism is increasing and diversifying leading to different types of experiences and memories. While the journey is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience, little empirical research exists to understand memories' formation and their influence on pro-environmental behavior intentions (PEBI). To explore these relationships, we used a mixed-method approach to analyze surveys collected from Antarctic tourists during 2019-2020. We identified two dimensions of memories that resulted in three distinct groups of tourists: the snapshot group likely to recall specific trip components, the reflective group likely to think and share about their experience, and the reflective & transformative group likely to indicate that their experience impacted them personally. We examined the relationships of these groups with experiential outcomes and PEBI. We found significant positive relationships, with the strongest outcomes in the reflective & transformative memory group. Our results suggest that tour operators have been effective at enhancing public awareness and conservation concerns by triggering reflective memories; however, there is still a need to effectively cultivate transformative memories. Through this exploratory research, we offer insights into specific actions that operators, guides, and travelers might consider for maximizing the memory-making experience and inspiring tangible outcomes regarding Antarctic conservation which might also translate into other tourism contexts

Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Empirical research · Experiential learning · Geography · Pedagogy · Place attachment · Recall · Tourism · Transformative learning · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Museums and Cultural Heritage · Psychology · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Social Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access