A report by the Scottish government has discovered that wildlife tourism contributes £276 million pounds (£65 million net) to it’s economy and it accounts for 7.446 full time equivalent jobs. The report showed that 1.12 million trips were made to Scotland in 2008 purely to view the wildlife there. Wildlife is big business for Scotland.
The number of visitors to Scotland were evenly split between domestic UK based visitors and overseas tourists. The region in Scotland benefiting most from wildlife tourism is the Highlands and Islands where up to 50% of wildlife tourists head. The Highlands and Islands where followed by the West Coast and Islands with about 25% of the visitors.
So who is visiting Scotland to explore it’s rich and diverse wildlife and habitats?
The reports shows that wildlife tourists tend not to be exclusively motivated by wildlife watching. A majority of wildlife visitors have an active interest in wildlife but are combining their holiday with another interest such as walking, photography and cycling. The chance to see wildlife while not being the primary reason for their holiday could be a deciding factor in where they go.
Those who operate wildlife tours and attractions say that their clients tend to be middle-aged, middle-class, professional empty-nesters who are looking for new interests. These are clients that many regions are trying to attract as the tend to be higher spenders and are more likely to be attracted to more expensive higher quality products. Many of these tourists also tend to be members of one of the conservations and wildlife groups such as Wildlife Trust, RSPB and National Trust. Many operators also reported a rise in people who have gained a new interest in wildlife from programmes such as the BBC Springwatch.
Wildlife tourists help attractions in Scotland extend their peak season. Over half of all visits by tourists motivated by wildlife occur in May and June while the peak tourist season for normal visitors is July and August. This gives a useful boost to the tourist trade in the early months of the season.
Accommodation providers of all types tend to benefit from wildlife tourists with a third choosing to stay in self catering cottages and house, a third choosing hotels and guest-houses and the remaining third staying in alternative types such as caravans, camping and hostels.
photo credit: Donald Macleod’s
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