Do Birders Make Good Tourists?


Birdwatchers can be eccentric visitors but a recent report found they spend big in regional Australia. Birdwatching tours are selling out, bush resorts are listing local birds on their websites and caravan park owners are sharing tips about where to find certain species. All over Australia, birdwatching is having a moment. A report released in April by BirdLife Australia reveals the economic impact of birdwatching tourism with domestic birding trips, contributing an estimated $283m to the Australian economy annually, much of this is in regional communities. What do you think LiveTribers? Do birders make good tourists?

Posted by on 26 May 2022

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    sandra

    Wow, I think encouraging birdwatching tourists is a great idea. It sounds like they are helping our economy and I imagine they would be environmentally friendly tourists with low use of power and fuel for their activities. The older I get the more I appreciate birds, their beauty and magnificent sounds, and very much aware of the need to protect many endangered species. I couldn't be classed as a birdwatcher but do love to see them in their natural environment. I live in a rural area and birdwatching tourists would be very, very welcome, and most definitely help local businesses.

    Posted by sandra on 18 Jul 2022
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    LeafyGreen

    As long as they do not enter pristine wildlife areas that could have detrimental effects. Would have to be kept to a certain area. I don't need to leave home to bird watch.

    Posted by LeafyGreen on 02 Jun 2022
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    Peter

    I got tutted at by a bird watcher because I dared enter a public wildlife watching platform.

    Posted by Peter on 30 May 2022
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    sandra

    That's awful - the public platforms should be, and are for all! Hopefully one bad mannered birdwatcher isn't representative of the rest.

    Posted by sandra on 18 Jul 2022
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    toylands8

    Going by all of the comments, I would agree. But I hope know one ever invites me on a bird watching activity, I'll be washing my hair on that weekend!

    Posted by toylands8 on 29 May 2022
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    Jenny Rob

    I used to think that too. But last year someone told me where to go to see an uncommon bird in the area so I took the kids and we found them. Since then I have been a lot more aware of birds around the place and can't believe I never noticed them before. I've gone out several times since to see what I might find. And while looking for birds I get to see all sorts of things I wouldn't have seen if I was home washing my hair.

    Posted by Jenny Rob on 29 May 2022
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    coaster

    If they do not harm the birds or other wildlife or flora then they can only be beneficial to the areas.

    Posted by coaster on 28 May 2022
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    Julieanne

    Yes they do make good tourists

    Posted by Julieanne on 27 May 2022
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    mact

    Twitchers are great people who enjoy the bush, photography and fresh air....all power to them!!!

    Posted by mact on 27 May 2022
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    SharynB

    If it's good for the economy and the region then sure .

    Posted by SharynB on 27 May 2022
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    rifle

    yes they do as they add to the economy and not harmful to the environment

    Posted by rifle on 27 May 2022
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    dizee06

    they must be good tourist going on the estimated boost to the economy. And this seems to be in remote areas of Australia where they get to see some amazing bird life

    Posted by dizee06 on 27 May 2022
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    emraldeyedauter

    I work with a teacher who in her spare time is an avid bird watcher. She often travels to remote places to see different species and she shares her stories with her children as well as teaching them the right way to treat earth's creatures. She loves this activity because everyone is so respectful of the environment they are in and while some aren't the biggest conversationalists that really fits with the whole bird watching hobby. She says she has never met a horrid bird watcher and the places they stay at are very welcoming because of the gentle nature of their patrons.

    Posted by emraldeyedauter on 27 May 2022
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    Aussie5

    Birdwatchers make great tourists. They respect nature and would never harm the flora or fauna when bird watching. They are very quiet in the bush, which is wonderful when you are looking to view birds and animals yourself. They don't litter and help boost the economy of regional areas. Nothing makes me madder than seeing children deliberately chasing and scaring away birds and the parents allowing them to do this. Birdwatchers respect birds and would never allow their children to do this. They also wouldn't dream of letting their animals (if they have them) chase birds or wildlife, as some others do.

    Posted by Aussie5 on 27 May 2022
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    pzaaz

    It would appear they boost revenue for Regional areas, which is needed. Also they are gentle on the environment, such a satisfying hobby.

    Posted by pzaaz on 27 May 2022
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    Suit

    Birders care about the environment helping to preserve it. So yes they make good tourists.

    Posted by Suit on 27 May 2022
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    REBCARMEL

    Bird watchers are great tourists. They really appreciate our vibrant rainforests and coastal areas.

    Posted by REBCARMEL on 27 May 2022
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    merryl

    Birders are good tourists. They respect the environment and support local communities. They should be encouraged to travel all around Australia.

    Posted by merryl on 27 May 2022
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    ELF37

    Definitely good visitors. They spend money like other tourists but have a great respect for the environment . Good to see there are bird tours available and selling out.

    Posted by ELF37 on 27 May 2022
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    cryambai

    I'm sure they would respect the area better than most.

    Posted by cryambai on 27 May 2022
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    mevanwy

    The birders have a lot of respect for the enviroment and can bring tourism to small towns, which they need in this current economic climate.

    Posted by mevanwy on 27 May 2022
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    Ben

    Yes they don’t bother anyone

    Posted by Ben on 27 May 2022
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    Daniel

    I've at least noticed that bird watchers have a distinct respect for the natural environment.

    Posted by Daniel on 27 May 2022
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    Slicer

    Yes they do as well as other tourists

    Posted by Slicer on 27 May 2022
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    Lex

    Yeah, Birders make good tourists. Report has found that bird tourism is a fast growing niche market and that birders spend more than the average tourist. “The market for bird tourism is very knowledgable,” Dooley says. And they are contributing to the economy

    Posted by Lex on 27 May 2022
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    Tillyn

    Yes I think so. Most tourists are good people.

    Posted by Tillyn on 26 May 2022
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    Jaib666

    Yes they do just like most other tourists

    Posted by Jaib666 on 26 May 2022
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    Tell15

    Of course. So long as they respect the wildlife and land, why not.

    Posted by Tell15 on 26 May 2022
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    Glenn

    If they are promoting not only our wonderful birdlife and spending money on the local outback communities, it is a good thing.

    Posted by Glenn on 26 May 2022
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    Leen

    Yes they do. They boost Australia's tourism which is good for the economy.

    Posted by Leen on 26 May 2022
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    CILLY0

    We have such wonderful bird species in this country that it's wonderful to hear that birdwatchers are coming to our shores to study them. They would be mindful of the environment and not leave rubbish behind them while contributing to our economy. I think that birders would make excellent tourists for Australia.

    Posted by CILLY0 on 26 May 2022
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    arabrab

    Of course they do ! Their money is just as good as everybody else's.

    Posted by arabrab on 26 May 2022
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    FayHi1

    I'd say so given they travel around during different times off the year to see migratory birds that use Australia to winter here when that season hits in the northern hemisphere. They also are very much environmentally active a case in point being Toondah Harbour in Queensland where Birdlife Australia and other conservation communities have demonstrated against the destruction off Ramsar Wetlands in the building off a multimillion dollar development.

    Posted by FayHi1 on 26 May 2022
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    Petal21

    I would say they do.

    Posted by Petal21 on 26 May 2022
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    Amelia

    Yeah, theyre contributing to the economy so i would think so!

    Posted by Amelia on 26 May 2022
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    Mozziegirl

    Yes I'm sure they will as they care about the environment and support local economies.

    Posted by Mozziegirl on 26 May 2022
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    littleblackbird

    Wow, it's fantastic to hear that birdwatching is having a comeback! How exciting. I def think birdwatchers would make the best tourists!

    Posted by littleblackbird on 26 May 2022
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    Raskel

    Birdwatchers are great tourist, helping with the observing Bird in there natural environment. Protecting Birds and respecting the natural environment. Birdwatchers are happy to share there stories and discoveries.

    Posted by Raskel on 26 May 2022
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    Anneliese

    Absolutely - My husband is an avid birdwatcher plus photographer. Wherever we travel, he is always after that 'perfect' bird photo. We visit remote places and behave like a hunter. Our weapon of choice is the camera!

    Posted by Anneliese on 26 May 2022
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    Carley

    They sound like great tourists! Sounds like they observe the environment with respect, whilst also contributing to the industry in those areas.

    Posted by Carley on 26 May 2022
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    michie2j

    They are great tourists. Supporting Regional Australian communities as they explore the local bird species. Sounds like an excellent opportunity for all involved.

    Posted by michie2j on 26 May 2022
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    Tazma

    I think any tourist is a good tourist. We should be appreciative of anyone wanting to come to our part of the world to spend their hard earned

    Posted by Tazma on 26 May 2022
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    chocogirl21

    I think they are good tourists because they would be mindful of the environment. They are prepared to travel and stay in a region to watch the wildlife so would spend and help the economy in that region.

    Posted by chocogirl21 on 26 May 2022
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    Glenda

    Birdwatchers will go wherever they have to to see and photograph particular birds - they travel long distances and stay in decent (expensive) accommodation - buy food and such - so they spend well. They spend as long as it takes in one spot waiting for that special bird - so do not disturb the environment and cause no damage. This makes them excellent excellent tourists in all respects.

    Posted by Glenda on 26 May 2022
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    seaquest

    I think birdwatchers are great for the economy and for regional areas. They would be quiet and very consumed in watching the birds. Occasionally there might be new species found. Sharing information, lets people know what birds we have in Australia.

    Posted by seaquest on 26 May 2022
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    24langers

    Birdwatchers are respectful of the environment and wildlife unlike hunters shooting and maiming wildlife as well as destroying the environment.

    Posted by 24langers on 26 May 2022
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    ErnestZ

    I don’t really live in a country area or know any bird watchers, but I think they’d be fantastic. They would be quiet and well behaved and not litter or cause any environmental damage the way revheads might. And I suppose being more mature, they would have more disposable income and be more attuned to the finer thi gs in life, so they could spend a lot of cash in a country town

    Posted by ErnestZ on 26 May 2022
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    Ben

    Yeah, definitely. They add to the overall experience.

    Posted by Ben on 26 May 2022
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    ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    A definition of a tourist: One who travels for leisure to places for purposes other than to reinforce a social connection (friends, family etc) and stays in paid accommodation. Do Birders do this? Yes Does this make them "good"? Yes.

    Posted by ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ on 26 May 2022
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    Hispania

    I think they make excellent tourists. They have a real passion for their subject and are willing to pay to go to the places where the birds they want to see have their habitat. They are also keenly aware of the environment and protect the ones they visit. They are also likely to not be “precious” tourists making unreasonable demands.

    Posted by Hispania on 26 May 2022
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    Ol Poss

    Yes. We are all different and birdwatchers love getting out in nature and will use nearby amenties

    Posted by Ol Poss on 26 May 2022
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    Natasha

    i absolutely do

    Posted by Natasha on 26 May 2022
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    Kay

    Yes.they certainly do. We’ve been to places where they run bird watching tours. Not only are they prepared to spend money to partake, we have found they are very conscious of protecting the environment so that others can enjoy a spot of bird watching too.

    Posted by Kay on 26 May 2022
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    Sharon

    They absolutely do. My husband and I always take into account the birdwatching opportunites when planning our trips, as we love to see and photograph the many wonderful bird species that abound in both Australia and overseas.

    Posted by Sharon on 26 May 2022
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    fisherman

    Yes. They are generally very passionate and willing to travel or expend to diverse and difficult places to track their interests. Thus they are good for the areas economy and by nature careful and observant nature lovers that do no damage.

    Posted by fisherman on 26 May 2022
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