Birdwatching Tourism in Australia

Abstract

Birdwatching is a major component of wildlife tourism and is one of the most rapidly growing pastimes in the Western World. Significant numbers of in bound tourists visiting Australia do so in part or primarily to watch birds. Although the economic, recreational and social significance of birdwatching has been recognised elsewhere, virtually nothing is known about this form of recreation or its importance within tourism in Australia. This review attempts to provide an initial description of the characteristics of birdwatching tourism in Australia and to discern its main constraints and challenges.