Cross-cultural Comparison Between Japanese and Western Visitors for the Effectiveness of the Hanauma Bay Education Programme

Abstract

Hanauma Bay is one of the most heavily used marine preserves in the world, hosting visitors from primarily Western and Asian countries. To ensure sustainability, the state limits access and provides environmental education for visitors. This study assesses the cross-cultural differences between Japanese and Western visitors to the visitor education programme by examining attitudes to the educational film and reported recreation behaviour. In 2004 responses were obtained from 440 Japanese and 445 Western visitors on a 4-point ordinal attitude scale and yes/no dichotomy behaviour scale for 26 questions. Results indicate that the educational film is effective for both visitor groups in terms of attitudinal and behavioural improvement towards marine conservation in the Bay, as well as enhancing visitor experience. In particular, the film apparently improves Japanese visitors' conservation behaviour more substantially, compared to the Western visitors. Also, Western visitors are more likely to report higher ratings for everyday conservation behaviour, more motivation from environmental education, more satisfaction with the overall education programme, and more pre-knowledge about conservation, compared to the Japanese visitors. In conclusion, the findings illustrate the important role that interpretation can play in enhancing visitor experience and awareness, while protecting the environment. Based on the results, suggestions are made on how to incorporate cultural sensitivity in managing tourism sites that could enhance the effectiveness and value of visitor interpretation programmes.

Keywords:

• cross-cultural visitor interpretation
• conservation behaviour
• Japanese visitors
• Western visitors
• environmental education
• environmental interpretation programme