The Minch Project

Wildlife Tourism in the Minch
Distribution, Impact and Development Opportunities
A Report Prepared for the Minch Project
Project Officer: Donald Morrison

Prepared for the Web by Gavin Earons, IT Unit, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

CONTENTS

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 The Tourist Trade

1.2 Wildlife Tourism

2. INTRODUCTION

2.1 Aims of Project

2.2 Definitions

2.3 Methodology

3 NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE MINCH

3.1 Reasons for Tourists visiting the Minch

3.2 Natural Resources of the Minch

4. WILDLIFE TOURISM OPERATORS IN THE MINCH

4.1 Short Boat Trips

4.2 Long Cruises

4.3 Guided Coastal Walks

4.4 Wildlife Package Holidays

4.5 Economic Impact

5 OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

5.1 Short Boat Trips/Long Cruises

5.2 Guided Coastal Walks

5.3 Wildlife Package Holidays

5.4 Other Forms of Wildlife Tourism

6. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 Summary

6.2 Recommendations

APPENDIX 1 - WILDLIFE TOURISM MANAGEMENT

A. CETACEANS

2. Impacts of Cetacean-Watching

3. Management Strategies and Options

B. PINNIPEDS

C. BIRDS

APPENDIX 2 - WILDLIFE TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE

APPENDIX 4 - SHORT BOAT TRIPS: OPERATOR QUESTIONNAIRE

APPENDIX 5 - LONG CRUISES: OPERATOR QUESTIONNAIRE

APPENDIX 6 - GUIDED COASTAL WALKS: OPERATOR QUESTIONNAIRE

APPENDIX 7 - WILDLIFE PACKAGE HOLIDAYS: OPERATOR QUESTIONNAIRE

APPENDIX 8 - VESSEL SAFETY STANDARDS

APPENDIX 9 - EC PACKAGE TRAVEL DIRECTIVE

APPENDIX 10 - CEREDIGON MARINE HERITAGE COAST CODE OF CONDUCT

APPENDIX 11 - TOURIST NUMBERS AND TRENDS IN THE MINCH

FIGURE TWO - MAP OF SHORT BOAT TRIPS AND GUIDED COASTAL WALKS IN THE MINCH.

BIBLIOGRAPHY