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Hearing the haunting moans and cries that whales make to communicate is an unforgettable, spine-tingling experience. <\/p>\n
Tourists describe a sense of awe when they witness whale songs, and a series of new studies has found that the emotional impact of the experience also lasts long after the event. <\/p>\n
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The research comes from the University of the Sunshine Coast, located in Queensland, Australia, where visitors flock to observe humpback whales during their migration period.<\/p>\n
The scientists found that emotional reactions to whale-watching experiences influence people’s subsequent behaviours concerning the environment and ocean conservation.<\/p>\n
Tourists feel awe and humility when listening to whale sounds<\/p>\n
The research team joined whale-watching excursions and swim-with-whale tours departing from Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast over three consecutive seasons. <\/p>\n
They combined visitor feedback with acoustic data collected using underwater microphones on vessels operated by Sunreef, a tourism company based in the area. <\/p>\n
Participants in the study were encouraged to be mindful of how they felt when both observing and listening to the animals during the encounters. <\/p>\n
They were exposed to various whale<\/strong><\/a> sounds, including natural vocalisations, surface actions like tail slaps and breaches, and pre-recorded underwater audio played through speakers on the boats.<\/p>\n The researchers then collected data through interviews and surveys that measured tourists’ emotional responses to these experiences.<\/p>\n Participants reported feeling happiness, excitement, humility, awe, and calmness when experiencing the whale sounds.<\/p>\n Listening to whale songs inspires environmental action<\/p>\n The research team also asked participants about their attitudes to marine conservation after hearing the whales.<\/p>\n The research found that feelings of awe, particularly triggered by hearing rather than just seeing whales<\/strong><\/a>, strongly correlated with “pro-environmental intent”. <\/p>\n This included desires to improve recycling habits, reduce waste production, and support ocean conservation initiatives.<\/p>\n “Tourism is often framed as a visual experience, but our other senses – particularly sound – play a key role in shaping how we connect to places, spaces and species,” lead researcher Vikki Schaffer told ABC News.<\/p>\n Schaffer emphasised that these findings highlight the importance of natural soundscapes in creating meaningful and potentially transformative visitor experiences<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n She also noted the importance of protecting underwater acoustic environments from human-generated noise pollution.<\/p>\n “Sound is a natural resource that’s often overlooked. It’s critical to both marine life and to human connection with the ocean,” Schaffer said.<\/p>\n How travel experiences can drive interest in environmental conservation<\/p>\n Sunreef manager John Fell believes that the research has become valuable for their business and the wider marine tourism industry. <\/p>\n “Immersive tourism is all about capturing the imagination and igniting the senses,” Fell told ABC News. “That’s what creates powerful, lasting experiences for our guests.”<\/p>\n He emphasised that their goal extends beyond simply conducting tours. They aim to foster a genuine love for the ocean that often translates into positive action.<\/p>\nADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\nADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n