The Phenomenon of Risk and Its Management in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism Settings

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The phenomenon of risk and its management in natural resource recreation and tourism settings: A case study of Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, Westland National Park, New Zealand A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University by Stephen Espiner Lincoln University 2001 In memory of my mother, who walked with me to the last bend in this road, and with the end in reach, let me go alone Abstract The significance of risk is growing in many Western societies, a phenomenon linked to increasing individualism, personal choice, and outcome uncertainty in multiple spheres of life. Despite being healthier and more physically protected from harm than any previous society, a serious concern for safety and risk control is emerging as a defining characteristic of modern social life. Within the context of a risk-averse society, this thesis investigates the nature and relevance of risk in natural resource recreation and tourism settings. Millions of people every day visit national parks and other protected areas around the world in which natural hazards inhere. Many visitors fail to recognise these hazards, creating moral, legal, and ethical issues for natural resource managers. People travel to national parks anticipating a degree of adventure, to escape routines, and to witness the grandeur of nature. Ironically, the very qualities that attract people to natural areas may also put them at risk. Managers of natural resource tourism and recreation areas in New Zealand are confronted with a paradox born out of visitor demand for nature experiences, a legal obligation to facilitate free access, and a growing social emphasis on health and safety. In particular, this study assesses the risk perceptions of visitors to the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, popular tourist attractions on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, and explores the risk perceptions and beliefs of resource management agency staff. The study also investigates the issue of risk communication at these two sites, and the degree to which existing hazard messages are successful at encouraging appropriate visitor behaviour. Pictorial hazard warning signs are introduced to the sites and their effectiveness evaluated. The findings show that many visitors (especially international visitors) have relatively poor awareness of natural hazards, and behave in ways which potentially compromise physical safety. It is argued that perceptions and behaviour are a consequence of diverse individual and situational factors including limited knowledge of the sites, beliefs about management, poor comprehension of hazard warning signs, and freedom from the normative constraints of everyday life. i In contrast to visitors, managers at the glacier sites consider the risks to be significant, and, potentially, severe. It is argued that managers’ perceptions of risk are influenced by several important social and site-specific factors, including their own experiences of hazards at the glaciers, perceived legal and moral obligations, the organisational culture, and impressions of high societal expectation concerning safety. The situation is further complicated by the freedom of access principle in national parks, and increasing tourist demand for nature-based experiences. These factors governed beliefs about the subject of risk. This study identifies several dimensions of risk in nature-based recreation and tourism settings. Visitors are at risk of personal accident or injury at certain tourism attractions. Awareness of hazards is limited, visitor behaviour compromises safety, and existing communication strategies are only partially effective. Risk is also apparent in the agency responsible for management of outdoor recreation areas. Site managers perceive a risk in their failure to prevent visitors from harm, whereas senior managers identify risk as primarily financial, legal, and political. Collectively, these factors demonstrate that the phenomenon of risk is increasingly important in the tourism and recreation context, and has the potential to influence significantly both management and experience of protected natural areas in New Zealand. Key words: Risk, perception, communication, warning signs, management, natural hazards, safety, national parks, tourism, recreation, Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier. ii Acknowledgements Writing a thesis, especially in social science, is often described as a solo journey - the author alone in facing the inevitable highs and lows, surprises, uncertainties, costs, and rewards. While solitary at times, my journey was not undertaken within a social void but, rather, involved the support, cooperation, and guidance of numerous other people who believed the purpose was worthwhile. Foremost among the many people who deserve acknowledgement for their contributions to this thesis, is my wife, Trisa, who has given me fantastic moral, intellectual, and practical support throughout. The multiple demands of work, family, and postgraduate study have not been easy to balance, but you have helped me pursue my ambitions in all of these. I am also grateful for the love and understanding of Seònaid, Eilish, Niamh, and Ciara, who accepted my frequent absences, and tolerated my unfathomable preoccupation with writing about tourists and glaciers. Some of the inevitable family stress was counteracted through the remarkable efforts of Kate and Tom Gregg, whose encouragement for my endeavour was unwavering, and without whose help effective family function would have been virtually impossible. To my parents, Mary and Eric, my debt is inestimable, for helping develop within me the value of learning, the importance of critical thought, and a love of natural landscapes. Although my mother did not live to see the current work completed, her courage, the strength of her commitment, and her belief in me, were critical factors in the last few months especially. The guidance and support of my supervisor, Dr Kevin Moore, has made my experience of writing this thesis both more effective and more enjoyable. His time and effort devoted to chapter drafts and discussions taught me a great deal about writing, the pursuit of ‘knowledge’, and social life in general. I am also indebted to another mentor, Dr Pat Devlin, who graciously accepted the role of associate supervisor for this work. His experience and insight have made an important impression on the study. The understanding, support, and sacrifices of colleagues have also been appreciated. In particular I wish to extend gratitude to Dr Jenny Ross for her continued commitment and patience; Dr Tracy Berno, for early inspiration and on-going friendship; Simon Kerr for his humour and reflections (especially in the iii formative stages); and Kay Booth for moral support, regular advice, and sheltering me from some of the realities of academic administration. Professor David Simmons and Associate Professor Harvey Perkins both maintained a keen interest in my work, and offered valuable comments and encouragement at several key stages. The study would have been difficult to complete without the assistance and skills of several other individuals and groups. I am especially grateful to Lincoln University for the doctoral scholarship that allowed me to begin the research, and for the University’s continued support of my studies following my appointment as a member of staff. The cooperation of the Department of Conservation is also acknowledged and, in particular, the efforts of managers and rangers at the Fox and Franz Josef field centres. Beth Rooke offered generous hospitality and shared valuable experiences during the fieldwork phases, and Sara Gordon and Sarah Toxward provided reliable assistance with the visitor survey. Technical assistance was also gratefully accepted from Evert Kampert, Brenda Lord, and Greg Flaws. I am further indebted to Professor Shizuo Takeuchi, Ryuichiro Iijima, and Andrea Schöllmann, for their skilled language translations. Help with transcribing interviews was also greatly appreciated, and, in this regard, the accuracy and care of Karyn Taylor-Moore and Jeannine Edwards made my part so much easier. Finally, like many social researchers, I owe a significant debt to the participants in the study. Hundreds of visitors to the glaciers were subjected to my questions, observations, and attempts to influence their perceptions. I hope that, in some very small way at least, this sacrifice can be repaid. iv Table of contents Abstract............................................................................................................................. i Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................iii Table of contents ............................................................................................................. v List of Figures................................................................................................................xii

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