The roles interpretative programmes in supporting the sustainable operation of the nature-based activities

This study assesses the role of interpretative dolphin-watching activities in enhancing participants' ecological knowledge, environmentally responsible behaviour intention, revisit intention and satisfaction with the experience. An on-site questionnaire survey was administered to participants of both an interpretative (experimental) and a noninterpretative (control) dolphin-watching group. The survey results revealed that participants who joined the interpretative dolphin-watching activities exhibited significantly better ecological knowledge, environmentally responsible behaviour intention, satisfaction and revisit intention than their counterparts. In addition, a regression test indicated a significant association between ecological knowledge and environmentally responsible behaviour intention as well as satisfaction and revisit intention. The findings highlighted the importance of interpretative programmes for nature-based activities, suggesting that the relevant service providers and managers of protected areas should implement such programmes to attract visitors and improve the environmental performance of the activities to achieve sustainability. The interpretative programme can also be an effective tool for environmental education to enhance the environmental conservation awareness of both tourists and local residents to nurture environmentally aware citizens. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.