| Summary: | The aim of this study was to define the structure, size and evolution and growth of
one of the contributing markets to recent tourism growth in South Africa, bird
watching tourism. Regarded as one of the fastest growing niche ecotourism markets
both internationally and in South Africa, this report traces the growth patterns and
outlines the organisation and structure of the sub-sector in South Africa. The report
also provides an estimate of the market’s potential contribution to the tourism
economy in South Africa.
The findings presented in this report are based on original interviews with 12
individuals in the birding, conservation and government sector. A wide variety of
documentary sources including the 2009 Kaiser Associates report on Bird watching
in South Africa and the recently published report on the South African birding
watching tourism industry report by the Department of Trade and Industry have also
informed the findings and content of this report. Again, findings on the demand and
supply elements of birding in South Africa were analysed from 68 individually
collected and an online based survey conducted amongst birders and specialised
birding tour operators.
Amongst the major findings of the study is the fact the growth of birding tourism in
South Africa is largely run by BirdLife South Africa through its 80 year old nationwide
network of more than 50 community clubs or branches which mobilise and induct
new birders and volunteers into bird watching. Most critical about the bird clubs are
the several day, weekend and bird monitoring events and outings that are organised
by the each of the clubs. It has been shown that local birders attend approximately
31 birding events and outings and spend R1415 per annum per trip excluding spend
on, birding services and equipment per annum. There are between 13000 to 24000
bird watchers in South Africa and that between 8000 and 16000 international birders
visit South Africa per annum (the dti, 2010). Based on these numbers, this study has
shown that birding tourism industry contributes between R 809 million to R 1.668
billion per annum to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product.
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