Wildlife Tourism

1
Wildlife Tourism

• Harold Goodwin
• International Centre for Responsible Tourism
• University of Greenwich
• World Tourism Organisation Consultant

2
UN International Year of Ecotourism

• There is no universally agreed definition
• Nature Tourism all forms of tourism where the
  main motivation is the observation and
  appreciation of nature.
• Ecotourism nature-based tourism which
• Involves observation and appreciation of nature
  combined with the appreciation of traditional
  cultures prevailing in natural areas
• Contains educational and interpretation features
• Generally organised for small groups by
  specialized and small locally owned businesses
• Minimizes negative impacts on the natural and
  socio-cultural environment.

3
People, Nature and Tourism in Scotland

• Supports the protection of natural areas by
• Generating economic benefits for host communities
  and organisations responsible for conserving
  natural areas.
• Creating jobs and increased opportunities for
  local communities
• Increasing awareness among locals and tourists of
  the need to conserve natural and cultural assets.

4
WTO International Year of Ecotourism

• WTO Market Studies
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• UK
• USA

• International Year of the Mountains
• Series of preparatory meetings including Austria
• World Ecotourism Summit Quebec 22-24 May 2002

5
Two main motivations for package holiday choice
by age grouping UK Market

• 26 of UK package travel holiday makers are
  ecotourism orientated

6
Important requirements for package holiday makers
who expressed an ecotourism preference
7
British Ecotourism Market

• Concept is little used in the UK market place
• 200 UK operators offer nature-based tourism
  experiences
• UK ecotourists tend to be over 35, slightly more
  women than men, higher social classes strongly
  represented.

8
The importance of wildlife tourism in the
worldwide market.

• The World Wildlife Fund for Nature says that 20
  of revenue generated from tourism in developing
  countries is due to ecotourism.
• 30 m international travellers (5 off all
  international tourist arrivals) took an
  ecotourism trip in 1998.
• Many ecotourism trips are domestic.
• c20 million travellers took an ecotourism trip in
  1998 within the USA.
• Kenya estimates that eight out of ten visitors
  come for wildlife, as do most in Costa Rica,
• WTO 2020

9
People, Nature and Tourism

• International Market Trends
• Experiential active rather than passive
• Adventure and soft adventure
• Short breaks
• Extended seasons
• Wildlife and culture
• Authenticity wildlife, food and living culture

10
Marine Wildlife

• 1990s whale watching grew at 12.1 per year
  internationally
• South Africa Big 6
• 510,000 whale watchers in 1998
• 1200m Whale Route
• Hermanus
• 1991-1998 120 new businesses
• 11 day Whale Festival

11
Why is wildlife tourism important?

• Contribution to conservation
• Financial
• Education and awareness
• Rural economy SMMEs
• 283 facilities or sites/ 2,960 jobs
• Stewardship managed landscapes
• Market positioning for Scotland
• Wildlife enthusiasts and general tourists
• Wild Scotland a land for all seasons60

12
People, Nature and Tourism in Scotland

• Its Wild Pre/post visit France 79/90
• Wildlife Pre/post visit Italy 51/74
• Increasingly Accessible?
• Transport
• Accommodation
• Attractions guides 1997-2001?70
• boat trips1997-2001?62
• Where would I buy a Wildlife Package?
• Not visible in the National Marketing Effort
• Co-operation between Scottish wildlife
  specialists to bring wildlife tourists to
  Scotland
• Quality of the experience