Resumen de ‘ Demystifying ’ worldmaking: exploring New Zealand ’ s clean and green imaginary through the lens of angling tourists
Hollinshead’s definition of ‘worldmaking’ highlights the complex processes involved in the projection of places, processes that are affected variously by the existence of dominant and counter projections. New Zealand’s ‘100% Pure’ reputation is largely built upon the questionable and often contested merits of its natural environment –the clean and green. For visiting angling tourists, ‘worldmaking’ projections of the angling experience promise solitude, pristine waterways and wild surrounds. Our research used a mixed methods approach and investigated the narrated experiences of angling tourists in New Zealand– a highly specialised and environmentally engaged niche market –against the backdrop of ‘worldmaking’. In attempting to ‘demystify’ worldmaking in this way our research makes an important conceptual contribution to the topic by highlighting the complexities involved in creating and/or maintaining dominant and counter projections. The findings demonstrated that a positive link does exist between touristic projections and anglers ’lived experiences. There are, though, clear indications that environmental concerns, that have been championed in counter projections, are undermining the integrity of New Zealand’s 100% Pure imaginary and, specifically, notions of ‘clean and green’. It is a problem that could, if angling tourists are a barometer, lead to wider ramifications regarding destination attractiveness and visitor loyalty.
