Agents or stewards? Non-profit organisations managing visitation: The case of New Zealand ecosanctuaries Journal Paper
- Author
- Albrecht, J.N.; Haid, M.; Faisal, A.
- Year
- 2023
- Journal / Source
- International Journal of Tourism Research
- Volume
- 25
- Number
- 2
- Pages
- 279-292
- Summary
- This study identifies the management functions performed in non-profit ecosanctuaries relevant to tourism in New Zealand. Following a pragmatic qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews in and pertaining to eco-sanctuaries were conducted. The findings are contextualised using principal-agent and stewardship theory. The results reveal that non-profit ecosanctuaries fulfil various functions alongside their core tasks, restoration and conservation. These are education and engagement with the volunteers, local community, and external stakeholders. Dependence on external funding and support is crucial for ecosanctuary management decision-making. Lack of funding, among other factors, means that, in some instances, non-profit organisations go beyond their core mandate by adding tourism as a commercial component to their activities. In doing so, these organisations commit to and undertake tasks such as visitor management, visitor impact management and tourism product development.