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The Need for a Planning Framework to Preserve the Wilderness Values of Sibayak Volcano, North Sumatra, Indonesia 139

Figure 8.5 Interpretive panel at the Hawks Head Lookout in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia
Note: Panels such as the one depicted provide examples of what may be employed at Sibayak

Indonesian: site orientation (Figure 8.6); as these suggest that investing in an interpretation
explanation of volcano etiquette and appropriate strategy for Sibayak is a viable option in fostering
visitor behaviour and thus protecting natural sustainable tourism. Interpretation however needs
attributes; aspects of the origin of the volcano such to be planned and delivered with Tilden’s principles
as tectonics, friction melting of rock and the rise in mind. Interpretive panels are somewhat restricted
of magma through zones of weakness in the in delivering active involvement, maximum use of
Earth’s crust. In addition to this it is important to the senses and fostering self-discovery, as in this
focus on specific aspects of Sibayak itself such as case it will depend on the visitor reading the panel
eruption history, rock types and fumerole activity. and engaging with its content. These aspects can
The key to protecting Sibayak is interpretation be more effectively delivered via a tour guide but
because if visitors learn about a place and good guiding is in turn dependent upon the guide
understand its geological, ecological and social understanding the site and its geology, gauging
significance they will pay more attention to being individual differences within the tour group and
environmentally sensitive and the incidence of being passionate about protecting the volcano as a
damage will be reduced. Chin et al (2000) found wild and interesting tourism resource. A longer-
in their survey that 90 per cent of respondents term component of the Sibayak interpretation
were interested in learning about nature as part of plan should be to create trained, officially
their experience in Bako National Park. Data such recognized and good guiding services.

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