Tourism and Environment Forum Activities: It's Wild!

It's Wild! Conference

Aviemore, Scotland: 1st - 2nd May 2002

‘Scotland has the potential to become a world-class wildlife tourism destination’ is the message Professor Roger Wheater, Chairman of the Tourism and Environment Forum* will bring to It’s Wild!, the first-ever national wildlife tourism conference which begin today (Wednesday1^st May).

Over ninety delegates will gather in Aviemore for the two-day conference focusing on how Scotland can compete with rival wildlife destinations, such as Canada, New Zealand or Norway, and what must be done to support sustainable wildlife tourism. Delegates will include representatives from wildlife tourism businesses, estates, nature reserves, tourism development and environmental organisations and public sector agencies.

Keynote speakers at the conference will also include: Mike Watson, MSP, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Dr Harold Goodwin, International Centre for Responsible Tourism, Steve Sankey, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Alistair Gronbach, VisitScotland, Sally Dowden, Speyside Wildlife and Tom Brock, Scottish Seabird Centre.

The results of the Review of Wildlife Tourism launched today maps Scotland’s wildlife tourism sector; providing a snapshot of its growth whilst formulating the views and aspirations of nearly 300 wildlife tourism businesses. This research, together with input from the conference delegates will inform the Wildlife Tourism Strategy for Scotland and result in a more focused approach to tourism and the natural environment at a national and local level.

The Review demonstrates:

• Nearly 3000 people are now employed within wildlife tourism businesses this represents an increase of 50% since 1997. Wildlife tourism brings jobs to rural areas and island communities, across all of Scotland, boosting fragile local economies and encouraging visitors to spend more time in and return to rural areas.

• The number of ‘dedicated’ wildlife tourism businesses has increased by 37% since 1997 (businesses include wildlife guides, boat operators, providers of wildlife holidays and wildlife centres).
• The number of boat operators taking visitors to view wildlife has increased by 79%, whilst the number of wildlife guides has risen by 29% in 1997.
• Visitors taking boat trips increased by 62% on 1997 totals and visitors using the services of wildlife guides increased by 70% on 1997 totals.
• 55% of facilities and sites provide specific identification tools to help visitors view wildlife i.e hides, remote viewing points and identification assistance.
• All areas of Scotland have wildlife tourist businesses/facilities or sites – with Argyll and the Islands, Skye and Lochalsh and Ross and Cromarty having the greatest numbers. All areas of Scotland benefit from employment in this sector.

Scotland’s richness and diversity of habitats and landscapes result in a tremendous wealth of wildlife which include: sea birds, including colonies of puffins; gannets, whales, porpoises and dolphins, otters, grey and common seals, birds of prey, including white-tailed and golden eagles, ospreys, red kites, hen harriers and owls, roe and red deer, loch/river birds, including herons, grebes and wildfowl, woodland animals, including pine marten and badgers, woodland, farmland birds and shore birds.

Mike Watson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport MSP, said: "The growth in the wildlife tourism sector demonstrates its potential. Wildlife tourism makes a vital contribution to the industry in Scotland, creating and sustaining jobs directly and indirectly in rural areas. It is important that wildlife tourism operators, the public, private and voluntary sectors all work together to ensure that our natural heritage is there to be enjoyed not just now but in the future as well."

"Professor Roger Wheater, Tourism and Environment Forum said In terms of wildlife Scotland has the big hitters, we have dolphins, golden eagles, whales, red kites, otters and much, much more. Yet, when people think of a wildlife – watching holidays they head for Canada, the Galapagos Islands or Africa. This is a perception which the Scottish tourism industry must work together to change.

"The results of the Review of Wildlife Tourism announced today show that despite several difficult trading years for the tourism industry, including last year’s Foot and Mouth outbreak, wildlife tourism has proved to be a resilient tourism product and market. Now is the time to recognise the enormous tourism potential of Scotland’s natural heritage and for all those involved to work closer together to develop a strategy that will support the infrastructure, product development and marketing of this sector and therefore ensure that Scotland’s wildlife tourism industry continues to grow and prosper in a sustainable way."

Alistair Gronbach, VisitScotland Brand Manager said: "Scotland’s nature and wildlife are one of its greatest assets, and are there to be enjoyed by all. Research shows that before overseas visitors arrive in Scotland 51% associate Scotland with nature and wildlife, yet over 90% recommend Scotland as a wildlife destination, following their holiday. Scotland’s wildlife does not just appeal just to the wildlife enthusiast, the stereotypical twitcher or wildlife spotter, it’s appeal is much broader with 30% of all visitors enjoying watching wildlife during their stay.

The Review results launched today will be used alongside research conducted by other agencies to influence the Wildlife Tourism Strategy. Research shows that Scotland’s ospreys attract 50,000 visitors annually who spend £1.7 million, sustaining 69 jobs (RSPB, unpublished). Whilst whale watching in the West of Scotland, generates £1.8 million and an additional £0.9 million through extra nights (Warburton et al, 2001, DETR). Over 28% of visitors stated that the bottlenose dolphins on the Moray Firth were the main reason for visiting the area, generating £720, 000 for local economy (Arnold, 1997).

Notes to Editors

• A photocall will take place at Loch an Eilean, Rothiemurchus Estate, Aviemore 10.30am on 1^st May, follow the B970 signposted for Insh for 2 miles, turn left at monument.

• It’s Wild! will be held at the Hilton Aviemore, the conference begins at 1pm, 1^st May. Mike Watson, MSP, will give the closing address at 3.30pm. Day two involves field trips to local wildlife centers and workshops. More information on www.greentourism.org.uk

• Further highlights of Review of Wildlife Tourism are attached. The full review is available by email, see contact details below.

• Wildlife tourism case studies are available: Local operators in the Aviemore area, Sally Dowden, Speyside Wildlife, RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Centre, Rothiemurchus Estate or marine wildlife expert Jonathan Wills who runs Bressaboats in Shetland,

• The Treefest "Watching Woodland Wildlife" leaflet will be launched at Its Wild!. The new guide details the best places in Scotland to watch woodland birds and animals.

• * The Tourism and Environment Forum has spearheaded sustainable tourism in Scotland through projects such as the Green Tourism Business Scheme and local tourism management projects. The Forum is a partnership of over 18 public, private and voluntary organizations, funded by VisitScotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands and Island Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise.