Role of the Senses in Experiencing Visitor Attraction - Coursework Example

Role of the Senses in Experiencing Visitor Attraction Sensory perception is a fundamental aspect of human existence. The senses dictate virtually everything around us, guiding our actions and thoughts. Senses also play a crucial part in visitor attraction in many ways, providing a platform for experiencing the things around us in our own special way. In this paper, I will examine the relationship between the senses and visitor attraction, providing sound arguments and claims and relevant evidence to support the claims. I will also examine relevant theories touching on both subjects as well as the relationship between them. Introduction Human beings rely on their senses to cognise and interpret their environment. The environment consists of different things, and normally changes as frequently as it components. For example, children exhibit different behaviour when they are in school compared to when they are out playing or visiting amusement parks. This is the same in tourist attractions because they are not constant (Albrecht, Dow, Das, & Plecas, 2014:23). Visitor attractions vary locally, regionally, and internationally, but the senses remain the same. The visitor’s senses do not change because of different attractions, but the experience inspires a change in the sensory perception of the environment (Tivers & Rakic, 2012:16). As a result, it is possible to manipulate the senses by simply altering the environment or the objects that arouse sensory responses. Tourism agencies and officials can make use of the relationship between senses and attractions to maximise visitors’ experience. Analysis Freeman Tilden’s Relate, Reveal and Provoke Relate, reveal and provoke form the spine of Tilden’s learning and interpretation principles. Interpretation demands that all these dimensions exist before it can occur. In the first place, interpretation cannot happen if there is no connection between the object and the person interpreting it (Verne & Towle, 2014:35). In tourism, this connection occurs at various levels. In some instances, it manifests as a first impression while in other cases it presents as a gradual process that requires time for the visitors to know the object before it can be revealed to them. For instance, research has shown that repeat tourists have better experiences than first-time visitors because they already have an understanding of the attractions they are touring. In addition, visitors who read or inquire about destinations before touring them show a greater propensity to connect with their targets (Goodall & Ashworth, 2013:42). First-time impressions, which are often the most powerful, are mostly dependent on the visitors’ ability to relate to the attraction through eyesight, hearing, and emotions. The attraction can only be revealed to the visitor once a connection has been established. For example, a first-time visitor to a foreign country must first show some interest in that country before he can develop a deeper understanding of it (Taylor, Varley, & Johnson, 2013:68). Revelation involves making use of the senses to decipher the attraction in a way that is not possible before establishing a connection. Revelation uncovers and exposes the true nature of the attraction to the visitor (Lemelin, Dawson, & Stewart, 2013:46). The attraction is laid bare by the visitor’s urge to comprehend it beyond a superficial point of view. In the process of revelation, the visitor is aided by the senses, which are used to dig deeper into the attraction to grasp its fundamental attributes. For example, the eyes can be used to view a structure from all angles in order to take in all its grace, while the hands can be used to explore the physical properties of attraction in order to feel what was only imaginable before (Verne & Towle, 2014:74). Provocation is the ultimate phase of interpretation, and it is also the most engaging. For visitors to have an optimal experience of tourist attractions, their senses must be pricked to the extent of arousing mental and emotional reactions, which strengthen the connection developed in the first stage (Hall, 2013:63). It is common to see some tourists overwhelmed with emotion when they finally get to see, touch, or listen to attractions that they have only seen in the media, or fantasised about. This means that their senses have finally been stung and propelled into action after the attraction has been revealed to them. In many countries, tour guides play the role that a teacher would play in the classroom, for instance. They show visitors attractions and engage their senses so that they can relate to the target and then develop a deeper connection with it (Swarbrooke & Horner, 2012:105). The concepts of relating, revealing, and provoking, as postulated by Tilden, were initially envisioned for educational settings. However, it has become increasingly obvious that they occur in many other contexts, such as tourism and outdoor experiences. Sense of Place Carter argues that interpretation equals communication and that it can convince, entertain, and market an organisation cultivate a local awareness of place. In addition, Carter argues, interpretation can be employed a soft management instrument to mould behaviour. From this point of view, it is safe to argue that awareness of place is heavily influenced by the senses (Williams & Uysal, 2013:21). Considering that visitor attraction cannot occur without awareness of place, it is logical to conclude the senses are a common denominator in visitor attractions. All tourist attractions are situated in known places, and the greater the visitors’ awareness and familiarity with their surroundings, the easier it is to enhance their experience (Uysal, Perdue, & Sirgy, 2012:57). For example, before touring any attraction, visitors are always sure to find out about where they are going, as well as specific attributes of the place (Smith, 2012:23). This is why travel agencies ensure that visitors understand perfectly where they are going, and the potential scenarios that could arise from their experience. This cultivates a sense of comfort, which is supported by visual, auditory, and olfactory familiarity (Minazzi, 2014:56). Ultimately, it significantly improves an experience because visitors require little time to connect with attractions. Developing an acute sense of place requires a seamless coordination of visual, auditory, and olfactory cognitions. The more developed the sense of place, the higher the likelihood of having a great visitor experience. Concept of Animation According to Krippendorf, the concept of animation instils in individuals the courage to abandon their comfort zones and explore their surroundings. In addition, it helps remove obstacles between the target and the participant, and cultivates self-creativity, self-involvement, and self-help. Tourist attractions can animate visitors in various ways, but at the core of it are the senses (Mills & Law, 2013:27). In tourism, animation involves expressing open and active interest in objects and beings, but it is heavily supported by an engagement of olfactory, somatosensory, visual, gustatory, and auditory senses. Some attractions can trigger lively reactions from visitors because they provoke all the five major senses simultaneously. For example, when touring the Niagara Falls in Canada and the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, visitors can see the water flow, hear its roar as it crashes against the rocks, smell the air around the waterfall, taste the water, and touch it to feel its qualities (Pechlaner & Smeral, 2014:31). These sensory activities often motivate visitors to want to bond with the waterfalls by participating in bungee jumping, climbing, surfing, kayaking, and swinging. It is important to note that these activities are often catalysed by a great degree of animation, which is, in turn, triggered by an intense engagement of the senses. Concept of Mindfulness Moscardo and Langer’s theory of mindfulness involves developing multiple perspectives of one object or attraction. Tourists who have mindful experiences see endless possibilities in a single attraction, and this is aided by the extent to which their senses are captivated (Prebensen, Chen, & Uysal, 2014:45). This is why two visitors can tour the same attraction but provide very different accounts of their experiences. One might enjoy the ordeal while the other might find it dull, depending on how much their senses were engaged (Holden & Fennell, 2012:32). One might participate in 20 exciting activities while the other engages in only five activities, which might also be boring. This variation depends on two factors: the setting factors (e.g., walks, displays, signs, guided tours, etc.) and visitor factors (e.g., companions, urge to visit, and familiarity with the environment) which animate the senses in different ways. A good experience involves exploring every possibility of sensory engagement and keeping visitors on the edge at all times by making them look forward to something at all times (Rakic & Lester, 2014:61). The Theory of Experience The theory of experience holds that the manner in which the customer (visitor) is treated is more powerful than the product or service (attraction). For example, not all tourist attractions are rated the same in terms of their features. The wonders of the world are considered to be more fulfilling for visitors than other lesser known locations (Filep & Pearce, 2013:29). However, this does not automatically imply that a visitor who tours the Taj Mahal will have a more satisfying time than a visitor who tours a relatively unknown attraction. The tour guides and agencies in Taj Mahal may not know how to maximise visitors’ experience, and end up providing services that are below the expectations of the tourist. On the other hand, superior services in a random location could create a more exciting and fulfilling experience for visitors despite its perceived obscurity (Howes & Classen, 2013:48). The difference lies in the extent to which the visitors’ senses were captivated, regardless of the nature of the attraction and, ultimately, experience is all that tourists seek. Conclusion The senses are extremely important in visitor attraction. Using the five known senses, tourists can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste various aspects of attractions, and improve their experience by developing a connection with the places they visit. Since the senses are connected with the brain, they can be engaged to elicit different mental and emotional reactions that influence visitors’ opinions about their experiences. As a matter of fact, it would be very difficult to keep the global tourism industry stable if the senses were ignored. Visitors want to feel alive and excited by attractions, and they can only achieve this if their senses are engaged as much as possible. Recommendations Since it is now obvious that the senses are an invaluable component of visitors’ experience, it is the responsibility of governments, private organisations, and individuals to exploit tourists’ sensory abilities to their advantage. All activities should be geared towards harnessing the power of the senses optimally, so that visitors have unforgettable experiences that necessitate repeat tourism (Alsos, Eide, & Madsen, 2014:38). In fact, it is not necessary for travel agencies and government departments to wait for tourists to visit countries before they captivate their senses. Current technological developments allow travel agencies and state bodies to market attractions across the world. For example, the Turkish government can advertise the country’s attractions to Americans in New York, and convince them to visit Turkey by using powerful imagery and words. Travel agencies and hotels should employ workers who are as convincing and engaging both professionally and cordially (Williams & Uysal, 2013:15). For example, tour guides should be likeable, outgoing, and fun to work with so that visitors can get the best experience possible and come back for more. References Albrecht, J., Dow, M., Das, D. & Plecas, D. (2014) Policing major events perspectives from around the world (Illustrated ed.), Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press. Alsos, G., Eide, D. & Madsen, E. (2014) Handbook of research on innovation in tourism industries, New York, Edward Elgar Publishing. Filep, S. & Pearce, P. (Eds.). (2013) Tourist experience and fulfilment: insights from positive psychology (Illustrated ed.), London, Routledge. Goodall, B. & Ashworth, G. (Eds.). (2013) Marketing in the tourism industry (RLE tourism): the promotion of destination regions, London, Routledge. Hall, C. (2013) Wine, food, and tourism marketing (2nd ed.), Binghamton, N.Y., Routledge. 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(2013) Current issues and development in hospitality and tourism satisfaction (2nd ed.), Binghamton, N.Y., Routledge. Read More