Jude Wilson

The impacts of weather on tourist travel

Abstract Interest in the interactions between climate, weather and tourism has increased markedly in the last decade in response to climate change concerns; however, there is little empirical research on how tourists respond to the weather conditions they encounter. Thus, in this paper, we examine the impact of the weather on a sample of international tourists visiting New Zealand during the 2009–10 summer season. Based on weather-related changes made to tourists’ travel routes, the timing of their travel and activity participation while in New Zealand, respondents were segmented into three groups: those with ‘no travel changes’ during their trip, those with ‘some travel changes’ and those with ‘substantial travel changes’ to their trip. The results show a generally high level of changes made to trips, particularly in the less settled early summer season, and an interesting link with satisfaction. The research provides an empirical basis for a framework that would facilitate further research into the adaptive capacity of tourists towards climate variability and change.

The OE goes ‘home’: Cultural aspects of a working holiday experience

In this article we examine cultural aspects of the working holiday experience using the New Zealand Overseas Experience (OE) as a significant and revealing exemplar of this kind of travel. To date, the working holiday experience has been poorly served by tourism and migration literature in general terms, with even less attention paid to cultural aspects of these experiences in relation to both their origin and form. Using archival material and interview data on the OE as an empirical base, we explore in detail the cultural determination of this working holiday experience, the cultural connections that facilitate and reinforce its continuing form, and the hybrid cultural practices of the OE itself. Findings suggest that cultural aspects are central to the working holiday experience. We therefore suggest that the role of culture deserves more explicit attention in both tourism and migration studies that address such working holiday experiences.

Reverse Diaspora and the Evolution of a Cultural Tradition: The Case of the New Zealand ‘Overseas Experience’

There has been considerable interest recently in various new forms of transnational migration and patterns of travel. Often these are understood as novel consequences of the numerous transformations involved in the different dimensions of globalisation. In this paper we argue that, while new technologies and recent social and economic changes clearly influence the formation of these new transnational migratory forms, the role of cultural and historical processes, including past forms of travel and migration are just as central to the process. We base this argument on the case of the New Zealand ‘overseas experience’, or ‘OE’. This is a culturally generated and encouraged working holiday that lasts for two to three years and is most often based in Britain. Detailed examination of the OE shows it to be a case of a ‘reverse diaspora’ which has both practical and historical links with the earlier British diaspora that included colonisation of New Zealand. These links have influenced the form and content of the OE but, we argue, it is best understood as a reflection of the assertion of cultural identity rather than as a residuum or anachronistic remnant of the earlier diaspora.

Implications of climate change for glacier tourism

ABSTRACT For more than 100 years, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers in Westland Tai Poutini National Park have attracted thousands of tourists annually and have emerged as iconic destinations in New Zealand. However, in recent years, the recession of both glaciers has been increasingly rapid and the impacts on, and implications for, visitor experiences in these settings remain relatively unexplored. A mixed-method approach was adopted to investigate visitor experiences and stakeholder perspectives through an assessment of climate-related changes on tourism at the glaciers in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The bio-physical conditions at both the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers were reviewed in order to assess the magnitude and rate of retreat. Perceptions of climate change risk and awareness of impacts in the National Park were assessed through stakeholder interviews (n = 13) and a visitor survey (n = 500) was used to better understand how impacts at these sites have affected and may continue to affect visitor experiences. Research results were reported to local communities via a series of public talks. Results revealed the fundamental importance of viewing the glaciers as a significant travel motive of visitors, suggesting that there is a ‘last chance’ dimension to their experience. Furthermore, the results demonstrate a high adaptive capacity of local tourism operators under rapidly changing environmental conditions. The implications of altered visitor experiences for tourism operators and protected area managers are discussed in light of these findings.

Work-Sport Competition: The Role of Agricultural Contests in New Zealand

Abstract Contests that take place within the rural milieu have tended to be ignored. Yet a wide range of contests are associated with the rural/agricultural lifestyle. In New Zealand, for example, there are contests which judge specialised agricultural skills such as shearing, fencing, wood chopping or pruning, as well as those which assess assorted skills to find the ‘Young Farmer of the Year’ or the ‘Sharemilker of the Year’. This paper starts from a consideration of leisure and sports theory to explain why such contests have become significant public events. Contests based on work skills present a challenge, as they do not separate work and play as is usually accepted in leisure definitions. Overall the research on this specific topic is sparse. The development of three agricultural competitions is then explored, along with their contribution to knowledge and skill acquisition within New Zealand agriculture. Suggestions are made for future research.

Case Studies of International Tourists’ in-Destination Decision-Making Processes in New Zealand

We report field research undertaken in five sites in New Zealand in which we explored the process of tourists’ in-destination decision-making. We then critique our experiences of conducting this project.

Are tourism businesses’ responses to weather variability a suitable precursor to climate change adaptation?

Purpose This paper aims to investigate weather sensitivity of tourism businesses in New Zealand to examine whether adaptive responses and “learning” about current weather can help operators to prepare more proactively for future climatic changes. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on data from interviews with 57 tourism operators and stakeholders in three key tourist destinations in New Zealand. Data were content-analysed and coded into weather types, impacts and business responses. Findings This research found that tourism stakeholders were well aware of the specific weather conditions that caused business problems, and they had considerable knowledge and experience in responding to conditions effectively, even though the causal chain of weather conditions and direct and indirect tourism impacts was often quite complex. Importantly, operators were found to learn from previous experience and also from other agents at the destination. Thus, the research established that a collective process of “sense making” occurred in relation to managing the weather. A longer term perspective of future, and possibly more dramatic, climatic changes, was not taken however. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to three case study destinations and is also subject to the usual limitations of qualitative research (including interviewee selection and coding). However, the research does indicate a great level of weather literacy which could be extended into adaptive capacity for climate change, if general awareness of climate change adaptation needs could be enhanced among operators. Originality/value This paper provides detailed insights into the weather sensitivity of tourism operators and stakeholders, and of their current ability to deal with various conditions and impacts. Their weather “sense” and weather responses provide a solid platform on which more explicit and planned climate change adaptation might be based.

Performance on the Frontline of Tourist Decision Making

There have been recent calls to reconceptualize tourist decision-making models. This study presents evidence for a model that depicts on-site tourist decision making as a socially embedded (discursive) performance in which frontline tourism staff members play key roles. Such performances aim to achieve tourism experiences that serve the multiple interests of participants in the decision-making process. Interviews with frontline staff in Canterbury, New Zealand, revealed a “performance” in which a complex set of discursive skills, interpersonal strategies, and service attributes were displayed. Together these generate—via conversation—socially embedded environments of trust that, in turn, lead to outcomes optimized for decision-making effort, decision justifiability, and the avoidance of negative emotions. Findings are discussed within the framework of the “discursive action model,” which highlights a process that has appropriate tourist experience, deemed authentic, as its goal.