Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/10372
Title: Heritage interpretation and visitor behaviour at the new interpretation centre at the Ggantija temples
Authors: Magri, Jessica
Keywords: Ġgantija Temples (Xagħra, Malta)
Interpretation of cultural and natural resources -- Malta -- Gozo
Megalithic temples -- Malta -- Gozo
Antiquities -- Interpretive programmes -- Malta -- Gozo
Issue Date: 2014
Abstract: Interpretation is fundamental in communicating messages to visitors. Curatorial teams around the world are continually trying to find ways to better this communication process. It is vital to observe and explore the interpretation techniques chosen to facilitate this communication process between the curatorial team and the visitor. This study aims to document the intentions of the team that developed the interpretation centre at a national archaeological site, and then to juxtapose this with the way in which a sample of visitors actually interacted with the interpretation facilities displayed. The study focuses on the observation exercise, which documents mainly quantitative aspects of visitor movement and interaction with the display. It then qualitatively examines the attitudes and perceptions of a smaller sample of observed visitors. The key findings were that the majority of visitors followed the intended route/sequence and over half the observed visitors stopped at over half the sections as is clear from the diligent visitor percentage. Yet, as is illustrated by the high sweep rate index, which measures the rate at which visitors moved through the centre, the sample of observed visitors moved through quite fast and in fact spend less than the approximate expected utilisation time engaging with facilities. Nonetheless, all respondents were more informed after visiting the centre, the bulk found information boards easy to understand, activities easy to use, some also pointed out that they learnt about the lives of the prehistoric community and many had an overall positive impression. These, together with the results related to visitor movements and behaviour generally satisfy the original intentions of the curatorial and design team.
Description: B.A.(HONS)TOURISM
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/10372
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacEMATou - 2014

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