What Motivates Tourists to Take Wildlife Selfies?

Evidence from Wildlife Tourist Attractions in India

Resumo

The main objective of this research is to study the motivation behind clicking selfies with animals at wildlife tourist attractions (WTAs) in India. This study adopted a qualitative approach, and in-depth, face-to-face, one-on-one interviews were conducted with 16 respondents. The findings of the present study indicate the diverse range of motivational and influencing factors (e.g., ethical and animal welfare concerns, conservation advocacy, cultural and heritage connections, thrill and novelty, affordability, adventure and excitement, safety and ethical standards, personal growth and exploration, creation of travel memories, societal trends and peer influence, capture memories and souvenirs, environmental and conservation concerns, educational motivations, aesthetic value, escape from everyday life) that shape tourists' decisions to take selfies with animals. The findings of this research illustrate several motivational factors for taking selfies of animals at wildlife tourist attractions (WTA) in India, which can be used in creating public awareness about the negative impacts of selfies on wildlife. This research also offers new insights into the ongoing discussion on ethical wildlife tourism and the conservation of natural ecosystems in this age of social media.