Journal of Sustainable Tourism
Editors: Bill Bramwell (Sheffield Hallam University) and Bernard Lane (Visiting Research Fellow, Sheffield Hallam University)
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Volume: 8 Number: 5 Page: 426–433
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Who Likes Saltwater Crocodiles? Analysing Socio-demographics of Those Viewing Tourist Wildlife Attractions Based on Saltwater Crocodiles
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Chris Ryan and Kylie Harvey
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Saltwater crocodiles are a popular tourism attraction throughout Northern Australia. But who are they popular with? Past research has indicated ambiguous feelings towards crocodiles, with some people fascinated
by them and others disliking them (Shackley, 1996). Are there any specific correlations between wishing to see saltwater crocodiles and other variables? This research note examines some of those other variables,
notably socio-demographics, preferences for other wildlife attractions like dolphin watching, and sensitivity towards environmental issues. As predicted by Ryan (1998) an inverse relationship between dolphin
watching and crocodile viewing is found. Males are found to be rather more disposed towards crocodiles as a tourist attraction, but little relationship exists between visitor statements on a measure of
environmental sensitivity (the New Environmental Paradigm1) and their behaviours or attitudes towards crocodiles as a protected species that are used as a wildlife tourist attraction.
© Channel View Publications 2000
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