A comparison of visitor sampling techniques at Mammoth Cave National Park : a case study

From 1992 to 1994, researchers from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville conducted a series of six human resource monitoring techniques at Mammoth Cave National Park. These techniques were used as a result of the request of the park management for information that would help them better understand their clientele, as well as aid in their project to redesign the existing Visitor Center. This thesis is an analysis of those methods including a review of the literature relative to natural resources agencies and the human resources monitoring techniques they employ, an analysis of the data collected as they relate to the cave tour experience, and the effectiveness of each of the techniques in producing human resource monitoring information.

The study at Mammoth Cave National Park consisted of six different monitoring techniques; Exit Interviews, Focus Groups, Visitor Center Surveys, Back Country Mail- Back Surveys, Unobtrusive Observation at the Visitor Center, and a series of six Comment Cards. Due to the diversity of the Park, which offers cave tours on the south side of the Green River and back country activities on the north side, and the information requested by the park, it was necessary to utilize more than one method to achieve a holistic picture of the park visitor. The diversity of the visitors, however, is a factor which should be realized by any park conducting human resource monitoring. As shown through this analysis, it can be advantageous for a park wanting to learn more about their visitors to consider using multiple techniques as addressed in this case study.