Chapter I: Introduction

People are motivated to travel for a variety of reasons.  They may want to relax, experience other cultures and to explore different environments. But at the heart of that experience lies the destination.

 

The destination marketing or management association must balance many factors to develop and maintain economic viability regarding tourism.  Asset assessment is key in determining the potential of a budding tourist destination, measures to protect the assets to ensure its sustainability not only for its community but for industry itself without the short-sighted destruction of a valuable resource.   One of the leading attractions for many destinations, especially island destinations is the natural environment and biodiversity.   The environment and its native species, large and small, are crucial attraction to tourists but especially to people seeking experiences in nature or ecotourism, adventure, and sustainable tourism.

 

Another key factor in establishing and promoting a tourist destination is safety and reliability. Considering COVID-19, public health and safety is a priority and is in the forefront of everyone’s’ mind.  People who travel are aware now, more than ever about the seriousness of health risks while traveling.

Problem Statement

When a destination looks to tourism as an industry offering economic impact their area, in an asset assessmentanalyzes their assets to develop tourism, for many locales’biodiversity is key. The protection of biodiversity is one of the elements of sustainable tourism ( World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 2014). However, there is an invasive species that has stealthily been killing entire species of some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Feral cat problems know no boundaries. Feral cats are a health hazard to visitors, hospitality and tourist service staff and the community. Feral cats decimate other animal species which in many cases are an environmental asset to the destination, andaffects the quality of the guest experience creating potential loss of income and reputation.

Destinations over the years have used many methods of managing or exterminate the feral cat colonies to resolve the issues associated with the feral cat population.   Depending on measures taken by the destination, business or individual it may solve the cat problem but create a negative impact on reputationand future bookings when it comes to the tourists.

 

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to identify consumer encounters of feral cats as it pertains to their vacation, their engagement with the cats, the perception of responsibility for feral cat population management,  and the effects on recommendations, social media and potential future purchasing of a vacation to a given area.

 

 

Definition of Terms

Culling. often refers to the act of killing animals based on their individual characteristics, such as their sex or species membership.

 

Capture, neuter/vacinate, release. cats are humanely trapped (with box traps), brought to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, eartipped (the universal sign that a community cat has been neutered and vaccinated), and then returned to the area they were captured (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) , 2020).

 

Destination. For the purposes of this paper the term destination refers to not only a place, but the stakeholders involved in the development or continuation of tourism as an industry.

 

Feral cats. A feral cat is the offspring of stray or other feral cats and is not accustomed to human contact. Feral cats are usually too fearful to be handled or adopted. (Humane Society, n.d.)

 

Stray Cats.A stray cat is a pet who has been lost or abandoned, is used to contact with people and is tame enough to be adopted. (Humane Society, n.d.)

 

 

 

 

Assumptions

One assumption is that tourist destinations are interested in  preserve their biodiversity as an asset and attraction of the destination. Secondly, it is assumed that the destination, the government agencies and local business owners are concerned with public health and safety of visitors and the community.

It is also assumed that destination stakeholders value customer experience, online reputation and word of mouth marketing, and buyer preferences.

Overview

Tourism and hospitality enterprises and destinations consider threats to business to be factors such as natural disasters, competition, cost of travel.  Little thought, if any, is given to feral cat populations. Some of the most popular vacation destinations worldwide suffer feral cat population problems. Cats made their way to far-flung areas of the world in the 17^th century by Europeans transported on ships to minimize rodent problems on voyages.  The species thrives today due to their prolific breeding ability. “Cats producing 2 litters a year can exponentially produce as many as 420,000 over a period of 7 years.”, according to Dr. Mark Trotman Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Barbados.(Webster, 2013)

Cats know no boundary. The list below is not all inclusive merely an illustration popular tourist destinations and countries affected by feral cats including:

• Japan(Kubo, 2020)
• Australia(Georgia E. Garrard, 2020) (Aguirre, 2019)
• The Hawaiian Islands(Pias, 2020)
• Florida Keys, USA (Kreisler Rachael E., 2019)
• Puerto Rico(Andrade-Nunez, 2018)
• Barbados(Cat Care Barbados, n.d.)
• FurtadaIsland,Brazil(Diarlei Rodrigues, 2020)

There areas of focus on the impact of feral cats in at destination is public health, eradication of native species and tourist perception.  Each of these areas could warrant research in and of itself however, anoverview of the problem may influence others to do deeper research or motivate businesses and industry professionals to take a look at the feral and stray animal populations in their area and how they can be proactive population management in their area.

Why do we need to control at populations?  There are many reasons including the health of the animal itself.  For the sake of this research the focus is on the destinations need for concern regarding public health, depletion of native species, an asset of the destinations in many cases and consumer perception.

Public Health risks. Feral cats carry disease not only that infect domestic animals but several diseases that can be transferred to humans.  These diseases include: Cat scratch fever, Salmonella poisoning, parasitic infections, scabies, round worm, protozoa infections, Giardia and rabies.(Cornell Feline Health Center, 2017).  These health risks threaten guests and their families, employees and the community.

Environmentally,  a  2013 study that concludes that cats as a species kill 1.3 to 4 billion birds and 6.3-22.3 mammals annually in the United States(Loss, 2019)(Loss, p. 2013) alone. Feral and stray cats predominate that impact. It is widely documented feral cats have contributed to the extinction of bird and wildlife especially on islands.  For many destinations who consider the natural environment as an asset of the destination, should be particularly alarmed at the impact cats have on their native species.

 

 

The impact of stray animals on the economy

 

It is well recognized that tourism accounts for a significant percentage of their Gross Domestic Product in most Caribbean countries. A decline in visitors will significantly impact the economies of these islands (Trotman, n.d.).  The tourism industry can be affected by word of mouth marketing for good and for bad (Litvin, 2017).  Negative perceptions of a hotel, destination or a country can have serious economic implications. When it comes to cat population management, inhumane actions can be interpreted as an uncaring society (Trotman, n.d.), and tarnish a reputation.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter II: Literature Review

Introduction

This literary review looks at three themes, public health concerns, eradication of biodiversity and public perception and vacation choices.

Public health concerns and feral cats

The format of each heading and sub-heading depends upon its level according to the current APA manual.

Next Heading

Add as many headings as needed.

Summary

Write the chapter summary here.

 

Chapter III:Methodology

Introduction

The survey was designed to query consumers their reactions, thoughts and feelings about feral cats and how if at all it impacts their vacation decisions and experience. Feral cats impact many of the most popular destinations decimating native species and carry transmittable diseases.  However, how the cat population is managed can impact the hospitality and tourism industry of the affected region. Sections to be addressed might include subject selection and description, instrumentation, data collection procedures, data analysis, and limitations.

Research Questions

1. In your travels or on vacation, have you ever seen stray or feral cats?
   1. Yes or No.
2. Where did you see cats?
   1. At your accommodations. (Hotels, condos and other vacation rentals)
   2. On the street
   3. At a restaurant
   4. All places
   5. Other (please specify, example at the beach, in the jungle)
3. What emotions, in a word, did you feel when you saw the cats? Use one word
   1. Anger
   2. Disgust
   3. Fear
   4. Sadness
   5. Surprise
   6. Anticipation
   7. Trust
   8. Joy
4. Did you engage with the cats?
   1. Yes
   2. No
5. How did you engage with the cats?
   1. Provided food
   2. Social Interation (Petting, talking)
   3. Chased away
   4. Other, please specify
6. Did you mention the cat(s) to the management, travel agent, or another person you purchased the vacation through?
   1. Yes
   2. No

 

 

 

Research Design and Procedures

This is an exploratory study to discover possible experiences and perceptions of tourists who may have encountered feral cats during their vacation. The research is effective in laying the groundwork that will lead to future studies.

Population and Sample

The population sample size is 421respondents.

Instrumentation

An online survey was implemented to collect data. A random sample of participants _____people from the USA, ages 18 – 99, all genders, with a household income of $200,000.

Data Analysis Procedures

Discuss the statistical or other data analysis procedures used.The data supports  inferential analysis.

Limitations

There may be some possible limitations in this study. Findings of exploratory research cannot be generalized to a wider population.

Insufficient sample size for statistical measurement on global basis.  The sample reflect respondents from the United States. It should be noted that the public perception of cats and animal welfare varies country to country.

Lack of previous research studies on the topic. The scope of research regarding public perception about feral cat populations and management regarding vacation destinations are limited.

            Implementation of data collection method.Having a lack in extensive experience in primary data collection there is a significant chance that the nature of implementation of data collection method is flawed.

Limitations may also include the fact differentiation of a stray cat versus a feral cat was not defined in the survey. Specific distinctions in the animal welfare realm, but the consumer would not know at appearances if a cat was a stray or a feral.

The social emotion could sway responses people who are proponents to animal welfare or are employed in the health field.

The procedural weaknesses may be in the fact that the survey was completed online. Challenges include, factors such as non-respondent characteristics and response rate.

Summary

Summarize the main points of the methodology.

Research Methodology: Measurement Objectives

The objective of the survey is to determine the impact of feral cats and the participants perception of the important of managing the cat population when it pertains to public health and the conservation of native species which may be one of the contributing factors as to why a person visits a specific destination.

 

Research Methodology: Data Collection

Data collection was completed with an online survey.  The sample was derived a random, distributed through social media and a broad-based group through Survey Monkey.

 

Research Methodology: Survey

Base each question on at least one of the research objectives. Make a distinct connection between every survey question and the research objective. Don’t ask questions that don’t link directly to a research objective.

Research Methodology: Reporting Plan

Finally, always have a Reporting Plan. Explain how you plan to share the information gathered. Discuss the format in which you will deliver the reports (e.g., PowerPoint). Indicate how long the reports will be and what information each report will contain. Prepare a timeline with milestones and KPIs so everyone knows when to expect deliverables.

Designing the research methodology may be the most important phase of any research project because it is the blueprint for all to follow. Don’t attempt to conduct viable research on a whim. The results could be extremely misleading and outright erroneous. The research methodology has everything that everyone needs to know about conducting the project, presented in a format that is referenceable  throughout a project.

 

 

ChapterIV: Results

Introduction

Start with another introduction, you might briefly reiterate the purpose of the study and how it was conducted, e.g. a survey was given… Your sub-headings for this chapter also will vary considerably: some people use each question as a sub-heading and some don’t. If you do use each question as a sub-heading, write out the question rather than just “Question 1.”The purpose is to provide the reader with at a glance information about the nature and scope of your paper.

Data Analysis

Use tables when appropriate, but don’t overuse them or discuss the whole table in text. Discuss the high points in text, providing the table for further details.All tables should conform to the APA style manual. Tables are different than figures, name and refer to them appropriately. Information about figures can be found in the current APA manual.

Summary

Write a summary of the results.

 

 

Chapter V: Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations

Introduction

Again, start with an introduction. Summarize what has happened in your paper so far. This chapter will also vary considerably in headings and organization; what follows is a suggestion or possibility.

Summary of the Results

State theresults.

Conclusions

Discuss the high points of your findings. This discussion should include a thorough discussion of the research question or questions, literature review, and the results.There should be a relationship to the literature review. Did your study correlate with previous research or did you find something different?

Recommendations

Recommend some further research or a change in practices.