Scottish Natural Heritage Nature Based Tourism OHTIA meetings 15 th / 16 th February 2011 Becky Shaw SNH Rural Development Team

Scottish Natural Heritage SNH and tourism: why are we engaged Nature based tourism is worth nearly 40% of all tourism spending in Scotland Worth £1.4 billion per year FTE jobs are reliant on Scotland’s nature based tourism Viewing wildlife is the main driver behind over one million trips to Scotland every year As direct providers of nature based tourism, through National Nature Reserves – 50 across the country, attracting around 1 million visitors a year.

Scottish Natural Heritage Definition An overnight stay that is related wholly or partly to Scotland’s natural heritage – it’s wildlife, habitats, landscapes and natural beauty.

Scottish Natural Heritage The nature based tourism market Active – including hillwalking /climbing, cycling/mountain biking, horse riding, kayaking/canoeing, field sports, snow sports Freedom – wildlife watching, walking, photography, touring, conservation holidays Attractions – National Parks, National Nature Reserves, visitor centres, long distance routes Culture – arts and crafts, events and festivals, food and drink Source: Tourism Framework for Change

Scottish Natural Heritage Wildlife watching No longer a niche market - growing at up to 20% per annum. Becoming increasingly upmarket. More sophisticated product, catering for a number of different market segments: –Specialists – particularly bird watchers, prepared to travel long distances and to ‘rough it’ to view particular species, –General nature tourists drawn to an area by ‘iconic’ species but also interested in the wider environmental context –People with a casual interest in wildlife; need relatively easy access to viewing locations and interpretation to help them get the most out of their visit Source: World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)

Scottish Natural Heritage Some nature based tourism headlines Sea eagles on Mull are worth around £2million per year to the local economy More than 280,000 people visit the Scottish Seabird Centre each year Dolphin watching on the east coast of Scotland generates £5million annually Each year up to 30,000 walkers complete the whole of the West Highland Way, with 60,000 others walking a part of it. There are around 3000 Scottish surfers, based mainly in the central belt. Surfing is growing by about 20% each year The RSPB Reserve at Balranald attracted 17,000 visitors last year

Scottish Natural Heritage Galloway Kite Trail Trail launched in 2003 following successful re-introduction red kite to Loch Ken Community based wildlife viewing initiative created by RSPB Scotland in partnership with FCS, local farmers and tourist businesses. An anticlockwise route of 24 miles around Loch Ken with an additional fourteen miles of forest drive (summer only) – also accessible by bike Initial public sector funding and support from participating businesses - funded interpretation in business outlets, production of a leaflet and building good links between the Trail and local community. 3 year post funded for Kite Trail Community Liaison Officer

Scottish Natural Heritage Galloway Kite Trail in numbers 6 outdoor viewing points with interpretation boards; 9 walks, (including a short path to feeding station); 4 hides; 1 feeding station at Bellymack Hill Farm – 30 birds seen together over winter months 1 visitor centre with CCTV screen, (summer only); 11 unique information boards 1 audio guide 2 red kite sculptures 4 information shelters have been built to provide information on the Trail & red kites £2.63million new spend in the local economy since 2004 due to GKT Minimum of 13 extra jobs supported per year since 2004 by GKT

Scottish Natural Heritage An individual business example – Wilderness Scotland Specialist adventure travel company working across the Highlands and Islands. Small group trips include walking holidays sea kayaking holidays and courses, canoeing holidays, mountain biking holidays and sailing holidays. Wilderness holidays explore destinations such as Knoydart, Glen Affric, Assynt and the Cairngorms National Park. Guides with strong knowledge of the outdoors and natural heritage Awards as ‘Worlds Best Green Tour Operator’ and ranking among ‘Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth’

Scottish Natural Heritage Yorkshire’s Nature Tourism Triangle Yorkshire Wildlife Trust project aiming to show how tourism income could help revitalise Yorkshire’s coastal and inland economy Nature based tourism project based around 3 YWT reserves –Spurn Point - migrating birds –Flamborough Cliffs - nesting seabirds –North Cave Wetlands - restored quarry with population of breeding avocets –Plus 2 RSPB reserves and one managed by Yorkshire Water 250,000 people visiting eastern Yorkshire view the area’s wildlife. For 45,000 of these (17%) the area’s rich wildlife interest is the primary reason for their trip. Opportunity to generate additional income in terms of parking fees, merchandising, guided walks and other spending opportunities that can contribute to local economic growth

Scottish Natural Heritage Nature Tourism Triangle – project objectives Objectives: developing new nodes for attracting visitors and stimulating increased spending at existing sites Better packaging and marketing of the wildlife viewing experience for holidaymakers Local accommodation providers to be much more proactive in marketing their properties to draw more people to the area because of the rich natural and wildlife heritage. Develop festivals to mark particular seasonal highlights - a ‘quick win’

Scottish Natural Heritage