Success StoriesMoray Firth Wildlife Centre Tourism from a small centre |
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"To be credible in sustainable tourism it is very important to practice what you preach."
Tony Archer, Moray Firth Wildlife Centre |
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Tony Archer has shown how a wildlife tourism business can develop, using his own business as a model.
He has created a successful, small wildlife tourism business based upon a larger environmental project. The business is based in a deserted salmon fishing station at the mouth of the River Spey. Business started with one full-time job (his) in 1996 and now employs one full- time person, three seasonal full-time, two seasonal part-time, two research students, a project officer and some students. |
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He has built up this business by working with others such as the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), the Moray Firth Dolphin Trust and other groups and organisations.
The SWT manage the Spey Bay Wildlife Reserve that is next to the independent Wildlife Centre. This reserve surrounds the mouth of the River Spey and includes woodlands of European importance. Ospreys use the river as a fishing ground in summer and terns breed on the shingle spits. Seals and otters are regularly seen in the river, while bottlenose dolphins are frequent visitors offshore. It is this variety of wildlife on the Centre's doorstep that has contributed to the success of the wildlife tourism business. |
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However, in order to maintain this variety it is important to manage the reserve. This work is carried out by the SWT and includes the creation of glades in scrub for butterflies. Marker posts are erected each spring on areas of the shingle where terns breed, as they are very vulnerable to human disturbance.
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Tony would encourage tourism operators to co-operate in this way, including other non-wildlife businesses, seeking to complement what they offer rather than competing with it. The Centre has also joined forces with the Whale and Dolphin Society, the worlds largest 'Non Government Organisation dedicated to the conservation of whales and dolphins. It is hoped that such additional resources will help make the Centre a global example of 'best practice' of how sustainable eco-tourism can work.
Lastly, he emphasised the importance of businesses practising what they preached in environmental protection by having an environmentally ethical basis to their business and ensuring clients were aware of it. In their business they have a mission statement outlining their commitment to safeguarding the environment, improving their services to clients, offering environmental education and contributing to environmental care. |
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| In practical terms, the centre has carried out a green audit of the business, identified local environmental issues and used the centre to support them. An Environmental Policy has also been developed for the business covering management of waste, energy conservation and other activities. |
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| The centre has been the venue for events celebrating World Oceans Day. This international festival will be held on 8-10 June 2001 with the centre co-ordinating the event. Activities include exhibitions and environmental displays and stalls including a 100-foot long inflatable blue whale! |
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For further information about the Moray Firth Wildlife Centre and associated events please contact:
Tony Archer Tel: 01343 820 339 Photos courtesy of the Moray Firth Wildlife Centre |
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