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| This guide aims to encourage rural communities in Scotland to develop wildlife tourism projects. It highlights how sensitive wildlife watching can be developed as a visitor attraction or business enterprise, and illustrates examples of good practice, common problems and practical solutions. |
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| The Issues |
- Wildlife tourism involves people watching wild creatures in their natural, unspoilt habitat. It is a growing segment of the international tourist market and rural Scotland is well-placed to build on this opportunity through its rich diversity of wildlife, natural habitats and scenic landscapes.
- Nature conservation is sometimes seen as a constraint to rural development, yet it also creates a development opportunity. Nature conservation through wildlife tourism can generate significant rural employment and economic returns. For example, a small wildlife tourism initiative might employ one or two people, and attract a thousand tourists a year. Larger projects might employ ten people, and attract 30,OOO visitors per year.
- A range of types of projects is possible depending on local circumstances such as offering guided walks, providing viewing hides, producing local information (leaflets and walks), running boat trips, developing visitor centres and running specialist holidays.
- Whatever the type of project, there are a number of key issues to consider in setting it up. Most important of these is the need to assess the possible impact of a project on both the wildlife and the habitat. Similarly, once a project is up and running, regular monitoring is required to ensure minimum disturbance to the wildlife and environment.
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| The Guide |
- discusses the positive economic and social effects of wildlife tourism;
- outlines how rural communities can initiate a wildlife tourism project;
- highlights issues for consideration at all stages in the development of such initiatives.
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| Case Studies |
| The guide draws on the experience of a number of organisations and communities who have developed wildlife tourism ventures including: |
- bird watching and walks on coastal salt marshes and cliff tops;
- close-circuit live video of rare birds on their nests and feeding their young;
- watching aerial displays of feasting birds of prey;
- night-time watching of badgers and owls from a small woodland hide;
- glimpsing otters on the coast; and
- dolphin and whale watching boat trips.
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| Key Issues |
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| It is imperative that the project does not adversely affect the environment. Appropriate viewing methods |
| must be chosen in order not to disturb the wildlife. Good planning of facilities such as car parking, paths and hides helps ensure the site stays unspoilt. It can be helpful to visit other ventures to gather ideas, and take advice from the specialists. |
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| Initiatives are more likely to be successful when they have the support of the community. There are important benefits to be gained from their involvement. |
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- Checking legal obligations
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| Wildlife, Planning, Hygiene, Health and Safety, and |
| Marine Safety Regulations may be applicable. |
| Insurance is important. |
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| As with any business, careful financial planning is essential: scale of development; pricing; target audience; number of customers; business planning; marketing and advertising are all important issues to be addressed. |
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| Good communication is vital, and should inform and entertain visitors, and encourage them to act responsibly. Written information and maps can be helpful, but communication is often best done verbally. |
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| The problem with promoting wildlife as a tourist attraction is that too many tourists can destroy the wildlife, the habitat, and the experience. Initiatives need therefore to be aware continually of any damage to the environment, or disturbance to the wildlife. |
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| " New Ideas in Rural Development: No 5 Setting up a Wildlife Tourism Initiative ", the research report summarised in this Research Findings, forms one of a series of guides issued on behalf of the Scottish National Rural Partnership and may be purchased (price £2.50 per copy). |
Cheques should be made payable to The Stationery Office and addressed to:
The Stationery Office Ltd, Mail Order Department, 71 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9AZ. Telephone: 0131 228 4181 Fax: 0131 622 7017 The report can also be ordered online from:www.thestationeryoffice.co.uk |
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| This Research Findings may be photocopied, or further copies may be obtained from: |
The Scottish Office Central Research Unit
Area 2J CRU
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh EH6 6QQ
Tel No: 0131 244 5397 or Fax No: 0131 244 5393 |