ESSENTIAL

INTERPRETATION IN
TOUR GUIDING
Mr. Maliki.O.Mohamed
maliko12@hotmail.com

Sub-topics
1. Meaning and definition
2. Interpretation techniques
3. Principles of effective interpretation
4. Benefits and outcomes of effective interpretation
5. Problems limiting interpretation

Definitions of interpretation
Interpretation involves providing information to visitors
in such a way that they will be stimulated to learn more
and gain more appreciation. Thus interpretation is more
than the presentation of data and facts (see Information),
but includes weaving them together so that visitors come
to understand, and appreciate the values for which the
park was established.
Freeman Tilden (1957): "Interpretation is an
educational activity which aims to bring meaning and
relationships through use of original objects, by firsthand
experience with the resource or by illustrative media,

Don Aldridge (1973): "Interpretation is the art of

explaining mans place in his environment, for the purpose
of enhancing visitor awareness of the importance of this
interaction and awakening the desire to contribute to the
conservation of the environment.
Bob Peart (1977): "Interpretation is a communication
process designed to reveal meanings and relationships of
our cultural and natural heritage to the public through first
hand involvement with an object, artifact, landscape or site.
(Carter, 1984) defined interpretation as: a special
process of stimulating and encouraging an appreciation of
the natural and cultural heritage of a region, as well as a
means of communicating nature conservation ideals and
practices.

Prentice (1995, p. 55) interpretation is defined as a

process of communicating to people the significance of a
place so that they can enjoy it more, understand its
importance and develop a positive attitude to conservation.
Interpretation is used to enhance the enjoyment of place, to
convey symbolic meaning and to facilitate attitudinal or
behavioral change.
Interpretation broadly refers to educational activities
used in places like zoos, museums, heritage sites and
national parks, to tell visitors about the significance or
meaning of what they are experiencing.
Interpretation includes such things as signs, brochures,
pamphlets, and guided tours, as well as displays and
exhibits in visitor centres, zoos and aquaria.

Types of Interpretation
There are essentially two ways to deliver interpretation
Personal interpretation refers to a situation where a
person is directly responsible for the delivery of
interpretation.
Personal interpretation is one of the most powerful
approaches to interpretation because the interpreter
continually adapt to each audience. The opportunities
here to make emotional and intellectual connections are
numerous, because one can learn about the guests and
apply what they learn to enhance their personal
experience.

Non personal interpretation refers to a situation

where media (such as print or audio-visual) are the
primary mechanisms for the delivery of interpretation.
Non personal interpretation includes brochures,
exhibits, signs, audiovisual shows, and other things that
do not require an actual person in attendance.

Visitor centres
Visitor centres are special buildings or rooms in which exhibits
and displays can be presented in relative comfort and
controlled surroundings.
Exhibits may include photographs arranged in wall or panel
displays, map models, mounted specimens, or diagrams.
Visitor centres are very useful for showing the big picture
such as processes, histories and other features that cannot be
easily depicted on-site.
Visitor centres often house permanent and continuous
audiovisual presentations in an auditorium. The visitor
experience within a visitor centre typically finishes with a gift
shop selling extension material such as detailed guidebooks
and maps

Displays and exhibits

Displays and exhibits are typically developed as permanent
features within a museum or visitor/ education centre, or as
a mobile mini-centre, or mobile display. They typically
feature objects and specimens, dioramas, scale models,
live exhibits, panels of text, diagrams and photographs.
Displays and exhibits are useful because they are relatively
cost effective, and are portable enough to be located
indoors or outdoors.

Education centres
Education centres are designated buildings, or separate
spaces within a visitor centre, designed to deliver
educational activities and house facilities and supporting
material. Education centres usually feature low key
classrooms to hold activities and discussion sessions,
though the
surrounding environment outside the environment centre
is critical to delivering many of the activities.

Publications
Publications are a cost-effective way of reaching a lot of
people. Publications can come in the form of brochures,
leaflets, note-sheets, maps, books, posters, postcards,
calenders and stickers. Publications
tend to be based around information rather than
interpretation. For example, the standard brochure
promoting a region or site tends to be more informationoriented. None the less, there have been some highly
interpretive posters that use layered presentations of
images and ideas to progressively reveal underlying
ideas.

Objectives of interpretation

To increase the visitors understanding, awareness and appreciation of nature, of

heritage, and of site resource;

To communicate messages relating to nature and culture, including natural and

historical processes, ecological relationships, and human roles in the environment;

To involve people in nature and history through first hand (personal) experience with
the natural and cultural environment;

To affect the behavior and attitudes of the public concerning the wise use of natural
resources, the preservation of cultural and natural heritage, and the respect and
concern for the natural and cultural environment;

To provide an enjoyable and meaningful experience; and

To increase the public understanding and support for an agencys role, its
management objectives and its policies.

Principles of effective
interpretation
Four fundamental principles for effective interpretation
(EROT), it must be:
Enjoyable
Relevant
Organized
Thematic.

Principle 1: Visitor enjoyment: Interpretation activities should be

designed for visitor enjoyment; this principle is sometimes called
entertainment
Principle 2: Relevance to the audience and site: Interpretation needs
to be both relevant to the audience and to the actual feature being
interpreted.
Principle 3: Organized: Interpretation must be well-organized so
visitors can easily follow what is being presented.
Principle 4: Key theme: Interpretation should have a key
theme/message that has the capacity to tie all the key pieces of
information together (Ham, 1992).

Benefits and outcomes of

interpretation
Enhancing visitor experiences and satisfaction
People who enjoy an interpretive program are usually more likely to
learn from it and to change their attitudes and behaviors. Thus
satisfaction can be an important precursor to other outcomes of
interpretation. But interpretation can also be a major component of the
actual wildlife experience and make significant contributions to
satisfaction
Managing visitors and their impacts
Visitors and their impacts can be managed though interpretation by
influencing where visitors go, providing a substitute experience,
informing about appropriate behavior, and developing visitor' concern.

Promoting cultural understanding, and social inclusion

Interpretation can also promote cultural understanding, and social
inclusion. The use of indigenous and local knowledge in interpretation
programs can include local people in tourism ventures, enhance
visitors' experience, increase cultural awareness, and promote respect
towards indigenous peoples.
Enable communities to better understand their heritage, and to
express their own ideas and feelings about their home area. As a result
individuals may identify with lost values inherent in their culture.
Raising visitors Knowledge and awareness of wildlife and
habitats
The educational element of interpretation can also raise visitors
knowledge and awareness of wildlife and habitats and thus can
encourage pro-conservation attitudes and motivation to act on broader
conservation issues.

Improving the Business

High quality interpretation can also improve business by
increasing the quality of guests experience, increasing
repeat visitation and occupancy rates, providing unique
marketing opportunities and allowing hotels to charge
higher rates.
Creating employment opportunities for local
people
The effective interpretation involves indigenous people
as guides and interpreters adds an authentic element to
a wildlife tourism experience that is valued by many
tourists and adds depth to visitors understanding of
wildlife.
People with local knowledge, and with a passion for the

Benefit of effective
interpretation for business
it enhances clients' experiences
promotes repeated visits
provides unique marketing opportunities
and allows higher prices to be charged

Student activities
1. What do you understand by the term interpretation'?
Explain the benefits of interpretation to the
2. How can interpretation
management?

be

used

in

tourism

3. What is the role of the tour guide in interpretation?

4. How does interpretation contribute to sustainable
tourism?