Visitor satisfaction with services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam

<p>The increase in visitor demand creates more and more pressures on visitor management, especially in protected areas like national parks. Environmental interpretation is regarded as an effective soft management strategy that aims to educate visitors in national parks. However, no study about visitor satisfaction with environmental interpretation using Importance-Performance analysis has been undertaken in national parks in general and national parks of Vietnam in particular. This study attempts to fill in the research gaps in the literature by examining visitor satisfaction with services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park of Vietnam using Importance-Performance Analysis. The research aims are: (1) To identify current interpretive services in Cat Tien National Park; (2) To explore visitor use of these services for environmental interpretation; (3) To investigate visitor satisfaction with these services using Importance-Performance Analysis and (4) To analyze similarities and differences in visitor satisfaction with services according to motivation-based segments and market-based segments. Secondary research, a site visit and three semi-structured interviews were first implemented to provide information background for the study. Next, the main survey for both international and domestic visitors was conducted at the entry point of Cat Tien National Park. Data from 237 pre-visit and post-visit questionnaires collected in four weeks was then analyzed with relevant statistical analyses. Market-based segmentation and motivation-based segmentation were also implemented to analyze the data. The findings show that site interpreters were the most important service provider for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park. Site interpreters, interpretive signs and staff at the museum are very important and very satisfying services for environmental interpretation. Displays at the museum need to be redesigned to meet visitor satisfaction. Moreover, videos at the rescue centre need to improve the performance to ensure domestic visitor satisfaction. With regard to twelve roles of site interpreters, the role for a comfortable pace of the trip, the role for a good group organisation, the communicative roles and the roles of an environmental interpreter are important and satisfying roles according to visitors. The performance of the instrumental role for visitor safety and the social role for a positive group environment need to be enhanced to meet visitor satisfaction. Also, two roles of a motivator of responsible behaviour need to be enhanced to meet the satisfaction of “Passive visitors” and “Active learners”, as well as international visitors. The study highlights the need for continuing research on visitor satisfaction with environmental interpretation using importance performance analysis and visitor segmentation. Some management implications were given for future development of services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park.</p>

Visitor satisfaction with services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam

<p>The increase in visitor demand creates more and more pressures on visitor management, especially in protected areas like national parks. Environmental interpretation is regarded as an effective soft management strategy that aims to educate visitors in national parks. However, no study about visitor satisfaction with environmental interpretation using Importance-Performance analysis has been undertaken in national parks in general and national parks of Vietnam in particular. This study attempts to fill in the research gaps in the literature by examining visitor satisfaction with services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park of Vietnam using Importance-Performance Analysis. The research aims are: (1) To identify current interpretive services in Cat Tien National Park; (2) To explore visitor use of these services for environmental interpretation; (3) To investigate visitor satisfaction with these services using Importance-Performance Analysis and (4) To analyze similarities and differences in visitor satisfaction with services according to motivation-based segments and market-based segments. Secondary research, a site visit and three semi-structured interviews were first implemented to provide information background for the study. Next, the main survey for both international and domestic visitors was conducted at the entry point of Cat Tien National Park. Data from 237 pre-visit and post-visit questionnaires collected in four weeks was then analyzed with relevant statistical analyses. Market-based segmentation and motivation-based segmentation were also implemented to analyze the data. The findings show that site interpreters were the most important service provider for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park. Site interpreters, interpretive signs and staff at the museum are very important and very satisfying services for environmental interpretation. Displays at the museum need to be redesigned to meet visitor satisfaction. Moreover, videos at the rescue centre need to improve the performance to ensure domestic visitor satisfaction. With regard to twelve roles of site interpreters, the role for a comfortable pace of the trip, the role for a good group organisation, the communicative roles and the roles of an environmental interpreter are important and satisfying roles according to visitors. The performance of the instrumental role for visitor safety and the social role for a positive group environment need to be enhanced to meet visitor satisfaction. Also, two roles of a motivator of responsible behaviour need to be enhanced to meet the satisfaction of “Passive visitors” and “Active learners”, as well as international visitors. The study highlights the need for continuing research on visitor satisfaction with environmental interpretation using importance performance analysis and visitor segmentation. Some management implications were given for future development of services for environmental interpretation in Cat Tien National Park.</p>

Pediatric Otolaryngology Telehealth in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned and Impact on the Future Management of Pediatric Patients

Background: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic outpatient medicine has drastically been altered how it is delivered. This time period likely represents the largest volume of telehealth visits in the United States health care history. Telehealth presents unique challenges within each subspecialty, and pediatric otolaryngology is no different. This retrospective review was designed to evaluate our division of pediatric otolaryngology’s experience with telehealth during the COVID19 pandemic. Methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. All telehealth and face-to-face visits for the month of April 2020 completed by the Pediatric Otolaryngology Division were reviewed. A survey, utilizing both open-ended questions and Likert scaled questions was distributed to the 16 pediatric otolaryngology providers in our group to reflect their experience with telehealth during the 1-month study period. Results: In April, 2020 our outpatient clinic performed a total of 877 clinic visits compared to 2260 clinic visits in April 2019. A total of 769 (88%) were telehealth visits. Telemedicine with video comprised 523 (68%) and telephone only comprised 246 (32%). There were 0 telehealth visits in April 2019. Interpretive services were required in 9.3% (N = 211) clinic visits in April 2019 and 7.5% (N = 66) of clinic visits in April 2020. The survey demonstrated a significant difference ( P < .00002) in provider’s anticipated telehealth experience (mean 3.94, 95% CI [3.0632, 4.8118] compared to their actual experience after the study period (mean 7.5, 95% CI [7.113, 7.887]. Conclusions: Despite low initial expectations for telehealth, the majority of our providers felt after 1 month of use that telehealth would continue to be a valuable platform post-pandemic clinical practice. Limited physical exam, particularly otoscopy, nasal endoscopy, and nasolaryngoscopy present challenges. However, with adequate information and preparation for the parents and for the physician some of the obstacles can be overcome.

Visitor responses to environmental interpretation in protected areas in vietnam.pdf

<p>Environmental interpretation is regarded as an effective soft management strategy for educating visitors and managing their impacts on protected areas. Only limited research has been conducted on visitors’ views on environmental interpretation in protected areas in the rapidly developing destinations of South-East Asia, with particular gaps in understanding different visitor groups. This article seeks to fill this gap in the context of Vietnam by examining visitor responses to services for environmental interpretation in one of the country’s largest national parks. The research employed Importance-Performance Analysis and subsequent motivation-based visitor segmentation based on 237 sets of pre and post-visit questionnaires distributed by the authors as self-complete questionnaires at the entry and exit gateway to the national park. The findings highlight that site interpreters were considered the most important service providers, while displays at the museum and videos were identified as important but low performing. A number of differences between motivation-based visitor groups as well as some culturally-anchored response patterns emerged which highlighted the need for park management to consider different visitor groups; not only in terms of their motivations to visit but also their cultural backgrounds when designing, investing maintenance funding, and evaluating interpretive services. </p>

Visitor responses to environmental interpretation in protected areas in vietnam.pdf

<p>Environmental interpretation is regarded as an effective soft management strategy for educating visitors and managing their impacts on protected areas. Only limited research has been conducted on visitors’ views on environmental interpretation in protected areas in the rapidly developing destinations of South-East Asia, with particular gaps in understanding different visitor groups. This article seeks to fill this gap in the context of Vietnam by examining visitor responses to services for environmental interpretation in one of the country’s largest national parks. The research employed Importance-Performance Analysis and subsequent motivation-based visitor segmentation based on 237 sets of pre and post-visit questionnaires distributed by the authors as self-complete questionnaires at the entry and exit gateway to the national park. The findings highlight that site interpreters were considered the most important service providers, while displays at the museum and videos were identified as important but low performing. A number of differences between motivation-based visitor groups as well as some culturally-anchored response patterns emerged which highlighted the need for park management to consider different visitor groups; not only in terms of their motivations to visit but also their cultural backgrounds when designing, investing maintenance funding, and evaluating interpretive services. </p>

An Implication of Destination Attractiveness, Environmental Sensitivity, and Satisfaction with Interpretive Service on Place Attachment and Environmental Responsible Behavior

This study examines the effect of destination attractiveness, environmental sensitivity, and satisfaction with interpretive services on place attachment. This study also aims to identify the effect of place attachment on environmentally responsible behaviour. This study was using a questionnaire as a data collection method. This study's total sample was 400 respondents—however, the number of questionnaires that can be processed as 398. The data were processed using PLS-SEM (Partial Least Square). The result was obtained in this study: (1) destination attractiveness has a significant positive effect on place attachment, (2) environmental sensitivity has a significant positive effect on place attachment, (3) satisfaction with interpretive services has a significant positive effect on place attachment, (4) place attachment has a significant positive effect on environmentally responsible behaviour (5) destination attractiveness has a significant positive effect on environmentally responsible behaviour (6) environmental sensitivity has a significant positive effect on environmentally responsible behaviour (7) satisfaction with interpretive services has a significant positive effect on environmentally responsible behaviour. This research contributes to the literature on tourism marketing

Pengaruh Daya Tarik Wisata, Kepekaan Lingkungan, dan Kepuasaan Layanan Terhadap Keterikatan Tempat Serta Implikasinya Pada Sikap Berprilaku Bertanggung Jawab Lingkungan

This study aims to examine the effect of destination attractiveness, environmental sensitivity, satisfaction with interpretive services, toward place attachment. This study also aims to identify the effect of place attachment to environmental responsible behaviour. This study was using questionnaire as data collection method. The total sample of this study was 400 respondents. However, the number of questionnaires that can be processed was 398. The data were proccesed using PLS SEM (Partial Least Square). The result were obtained in this study: (1) destination attractiveness influences positive significant place attachment (2) environmental sensitivity influences positive significant place attachment (3) satisfaction with interpretive services influences positive significant place attachment (4) place attachment influences positive significant environmental responsible behaviour (5) destination attractiveness influences positive significant environmental responsible behaviour (6) environmental sensitivity influences positive significant environmental responsible behaviour (7) satisfaction with interpretive services influences positive significant environmental responsible behaviour. This research contributes to the literature on tourism marketing.

Interpretive Accommodations for National Park Service Visitors who are d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Interpretation plays a critical role in fulfilling the mission of the National Park Service (NPS). This study used survey research to describe the interpretive accommodations currently provided to NPS visitors who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing (HoH). Results show that most park units have completed accessibility assessments and provide some form of interpretive accommodations for visitors who are d/Deaf or HoH. However, many park units perceived their unit was not sufficiently meeting the needs of visitors who are d/Deaf or HoH, and felt that their unit should be doing more. Perceived barriers to providing interpretive accommodations included budget and staffing constraints, lack of familiarity with possible services used by visitors who are d/Deaf or HoH, and limited knowledge of legal responsibilities or guidelines pertaining to visitors who are d/Deaf or HoH. Recommendations stemming from this study include the following: staff training; incorporation of the Principles of Universal Design; inclusion of individuals who are d/ Deaf or HoH in planning and evaluation of interpretive services; regular assessments for accessibility; personal and agency-level commitment toward equitable service; use of websites as source of information regarding interpretive accommodations; development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for accommodative services; creation of a collateral duty for general accessibility; and additional research regarding what services visitors who are d/Deaf or HoH would find most useful to prioritize limited time and budget.