Animal health warning labels in nature-based, ecotourism & wildlife tourism

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research note was to introduce a novel system of animal health warning labels to (i) contribute to better welfare (health) of animals used at nature-based ecotourism and wildlife (NEWT) attractions and (ii) provide a method to communicate to tourists in a language they are already exposed to daily. Two different frameworks inform the development of the proposed system, both of which are new to the tourism studies domain. The first situates an animal health warning label system within a ‘health and social-ecological systems’ mode of thinking, while the second focuses on the psychological, social, and philosophical mechanisms that determine participation at NEWT attractions. The research note concludes with policy, practice, implementation and monitoring recommendations.

KEYWORDS:

• Wildlife tourism
• health warning labels
• health and social-ecological systems
• education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).