title: The charm of time: Generational comparison, memorable tourism experiences, and quality of life in visits to a world heritage site, Kulangsu

authors: Li, Yanhan

abstract: In recent years, heritage tourism has seen a shift toward younger visitors, challenging the earlier view that it attracts primarily older visitors. How this emerging group of younger tourists differ from older tourists, and the reasons for such differences from a Chinese generational perspective, remain unclear. Whilst a significant literature exists on differences of personal histories the speed of technological change in China has been so rapid that many older people now use their smartphones for making payments, keeping in touch with extended family and for leisure pursuits, and one wonders if even recent past research has kept up with these changes of senior behaviour. Moreover, previous heritage research has focused mainly on pre-visit and on-site perceptions, with limited attention to post-visit outcomes, such as memorable tourism experiences (MTEs) and quality of life (QoL), and little consideration of the temporal changes in these variables. MTEs look at tourists’ experiences that could be recalled or remembered after tourism activities occurred (Kim et al., 2012). Subjective QoL refers to how individuals perceive or evaluate their own lives (Woo et al., 2016). Therefore, this study aims to examine generational differences in heritage tourism experiences and outcomes among Chinese tourists, with particular attention to the temporal dynamics of MTEs and QoL.
To address these gaps, this study adopted a mixed-methods approach. In the qualitative phase, three rounds of interviews with 65 participants compared pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit perceptions between Chinese Generation Zs and the Lost Generation regarding visits to Kulangsu, a World Heritage Site. Interview data suggested that both MTEs and QoL improvements changed within seven to fifteen days after the visit. In the quantitative phase, a closed-ended questionnaire validated generational differences identified qualitatively. In brief, the three-stage interview approach not only minimized post hoc rationalization but also facilitated the exploration of time intervals’ influence on MTEs and QoL. The Jaccard index was further applied to support a reasonable transition from qualitative findings and the correlation hypotheses development to the quantitative significance test. This design enabled the study to capture temporal dynamics of tourism experiences that are often overlooked in cross-sectional tourism research.
The quantitative phase then within a broader and more representative sample (889 respondents, including a middle-aged group), tested relationships among pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit perceptions, as well as the effects of time variables on MTEs and QoL. The unique mixed methods design effectively addressed the research questions and offers new directions for future tourism studies. 
This study also makes multiple contributions in terms of theoretical extension and application. First, it provides a generationally informed account of why, how, and for what purposes younger and older Chinese heritage tourists visit Kulangsu, showing the profound influence of generational background and presenting a coherent narrative of the two cohorts’ heritage visitations. Second, it offers an in-depth discussion of MTEs and QoL in the heritage tourism context, which were linked with pre-and during visit perception variables, confirming that heritage experiences must first be memorable in order to affect QoL. Third, it demonstrates that the time interval after a visit directly leads to a decline in the memorability of heritage experiences, which in turn results in a reduction of QoL improvements gained from the trip. This finding helps explain the decline in tourists’ temporal wellbeing improvement reported in previous studies. 
In addition, the results also have practical implications for heritage site management, particularly for Kulangsu, and highlight the need for other heritage destinations to tailor services to generational characteristics, especially for the emerging younger market, while focusing on visitor-cantered outcomes such as memorable experiences that can enhance people’s quality of life, even if for only a short period of time. The temporal elements of such enhancements of life quality are also discussed in the thesis.

text: The charm of time: Generational comparison, memorable tourism experiences, and quality of life in visits to a world heritage site, Kulangsu In recent years, heritage tourism has seen a shift toward younger visitors, challenging the earlier view that it attracts primarily older visitors. How this emerging group of younger tourists differ from older tourists, and the reasons for such differences from a Chinese generational perspective, remain unclear. Whilst a significant literature exists on differences of personal histories the speed of technological change in China has been so rapid that many older people now use their smartphones for making payments, keeping in touch with extended family and for leisure pursuits, and one wonders if even recent past research has kept up with these changes of senior behaviour. Moreover, previous heritage research has focused mainly on pre-visit and on-site perceptions, with limited attention to post-visit outcomes, such as memorable tourism experiences (MTEs) and quality of life (QoL), and little consideration of the temporal changes in these variables. MTEs look at tourists’ experiences that could be recalled or remembered after tourism activities occurred (Kim et al., 2012). Subjective QoL refers to how individuals perceive or evaluate their own lives (Woo et al., 2016). Therefore, this study aims to examine generational differences in heritage tourism experiences and outcomes among Chinese tourists, with particular attention to the temporal dynamics of MTEs and QoL.
To address these gaps, this study adopted a mixed-methods approach. In the qualitative phase, three rounds of interviews with 65 participants compared pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit perceptions between Chinese Generation Zs and the Lost Generation regarding visits to Kulangsu, a World Heritage Site. Interview data suggested that both MTEs and QoL improvements changed within seven to fifteen days after the visit. In the quantitative phase, a closed-ended questionnaire validated generational differences identified qualitatively. In brief, the three-stage interview approach not only minimized post hoc rationalization but also facilitated the exploration of time intervals’ influence on MTEs and QoL. The Jaccard index was further applied to support a reasonable transition from qualitative findings and the correlation hypotheses development to the quantitative significance test. This design enabled the study to capture temporal dynamics of tourism experiences that are often overlooked in cross-sectional tourism research.
The quantitative phase then within a broader and more representative sample (889 respondents, including a middle-aged group), tested relationships among pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit perceptions, as well as the effects of time variables on MTEs and QoL. The unique mixed methods design effectively addressed the research questions and offers new directions for future tourism studies. 
This study also makes multiple contributions in terms of theoretical extension and application. First, it provides a generationally informed account of why, how, and for what purposes younger and older Chinese heritage tourists visit Kulangsu, showing the profound influence of generational background and presenting a coherent narrative of the two cohorts’ heritage visitations. Second, it offers an in-depth discussion of MTEs and QoL in the heritage tourism context, which were linked with pre-and during visit perception variables, confirming that heritage experiences must first be memorable in order to affect QoL. Third, it demonstrates that the time interval after a visit directly leads to a decline in the memorability of heritage experiences, which in turn results in a reduction of QoL improvements gained from the trip. This finding helps explain the decline in tourists’ temporal wellbeing improvement reported in previous studies. 
In addition, the results also have practical implications for heritage site management, particularly for Kulangsu, and highlight the need for other heritage destinations to tailor services to generational characteristics, especially for the emerging younger market, while focusing on visitor-cantered outcomes such as memorable experiences that can enhance people’s quality of life, even if for only a short period of time. The temporal elements of such enhancements of life quality are also discussed in the thesis.

year: 2025

title: An investigation to determine origin: age and otolith chemistry of a brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus) found at Okawa Bay, Lake Rotoiti

authors: Blair, Jennifer Marie

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: Some time between 10 and 15 January 2009, a brown bullhead catfish(Ameiurus nebulosus) was found washed up on the shore of Okawa Bay, Lake Rotoiti. The elemental signature of the otolith was measured using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in order to determine the origin of the catfish. The otolith elemental signature of the Rotoiti catfish was compared to the otolith elemental signatures of catfish caught at Tokaanu Bay, Lake Taupo. Because otolith chemistry is largely determined by water chemistry, fish sharing a common origin should show similar otolith elemental signature.

text: An investigation to determine origin: age and otolith chemistry of a brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus) found at Okawa Bay, Lake Rotoiti Some time between 10 and 15 January 2009, a brown bullhead catfish(Ameiurus nebulosus) was found washed up on the shore of Okawa Bay, Lake Rotoiti. The elemental signature of the otolith was measured using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in order to determine the origin of the catfish. The otolith elemental signature of the Rotoiti catfish was compared to the otolith elemental signatures of catfish caught at Tokaanu Bay, Lake Taupo. Because otolith chemistry is largely determined by water chemistry, fish sharing a common origin should show similar otolith elemental signature.

year: 2009

title: Boat electrofishing survey of fish abundance in the Ohau Channel, Rotorua, in 2013

authors: Hicks, Brendan J.

abstract: The aim of this survey was to provide on-going monitoring of the fish communities and abundance in the Ohau Channel, especially fish species that are taonga to Maori (eels, goldfish, and koura). In the current study we present the findings from the seventh year of sampling (2013) in view of previous surveys using boat electrofishing in the Ohau Channel. 
We used the University of Waikato's 4.5 m-long, aluminium-hulled electrofishing boat to catch a total of 1,025 fish (20.3 kg) from 11 sites comprising 2,817 lineal m and 11,484 m² in area on 27 November 2013. Common bully were the most abundant fish species (57% of the catch) followed by common smelt (36% of the catch).
Goldfish had their highest biomasses in the lower channel, especially at site 10 near Lake Rotoiti (up to 7.25 g m⁻²). Catch per unit effort (CPUE) for common bullies exceeded smelt CPUE at all sites except site 1, reflecting their greater densities. CPUE for rainbow trout was variable between the sites, and greatest at site 3. 
The abundance of common bullies in 2013 reversed the apparent trend of reducing abundance since these surveys started in 2007. The cause of fluctuating bully abundance is not known, and was not accounted for by water clarity expressed as black disc distance (BDD) or water conductivity. Poor water clarity can reduce the efficiency of electrofishing, but BDD was greater in 2012 than in 2011 when common bully densities were lower. In 2013, the apparent decline in smelt abundance was also reversed, but the relatively inefficient sampling resulting from boat electrofishing for these two species should be considered. 
The increased goldfish biomass in 2011-2013 arose because of targeted fishing in the excavated side branch, which clearly offers good habitat for goldfish. Removal of goldfish in the previous years may have reduced the density in the excavated side channel (site 11) compared to previous years. In 2013, a shortfin eel was caught, following the first shortfin eel encountered in the Ohau Channel in 2012.

text: Boat electrofishing survey of fish abundance in the Ohau Channel, Rotorua, in 2013 The aim of this survey was to provide on-going monitoring of the fish communities and abundance in the Ohau Channel, especially fish species that are taonga to Maori (eels, goldfish, and koura). In the current study we present the findings from the seventh year of sampling (2013) in view of previous surveys using boat electrofishing in the Ohau Channel. 
We used the University of Waikato's 4.5 m-long, aluminium-hulled electrofishing boat to catch a total of 1,025 fish (20.3 kg) from 11 sites comprising 2,817 lineal m and 11,484 m² in area on 27 November 2013. Common bully were the most abundant fish species (57% of the catch) followed by common smelt (36% of the catch).
Goldfish had their highest biomasses in the lower channel, especially at site 10 near Lake Rotoiti (up to 7.25 g m⁻²). Catch per unit effort (CPUE) for common bullies exceeded smelt CPUE at all sites except site 1, reflecting their greater densities. CPUE for rainbow trout was variable between the sites, and greatest at site 3. 
The abundance of common bullies in 2013 reversed the apparent trend of reducing abundance since these surveys started in 2007. The cause of fluctuating bully abundance is not known, and was not accounted for by water clarity expressed as black disc distance (BDD) or water conductivity. Poor water clarity can reduce the efficiency of electrofishing, but BDD was greater in 2012 than in 2011 when common bully densities were lower. In 2013, the apparent decline in smelt abundance was also reversed, but the relatively inefficient sampling resulting from boat electrofishing for these two species should be considered. 
The increased goldfish biomass in 2011-2013 arose because of targeted fishing in the excavated side branch, which clearly offers good habitat for goldfish. Removal of goldfish in the previous years may have reduced the density in the excavated side channel (site 11) compared to previous years. In 2013, a shortfin eel was caught, following the first shortfin eel encountered in the Ohau Channel in 2012.

year: 2014