Birdwatching as a Potential Factor in the Development of Tourism and Recreation in the Region

Abstract

Ornithological tourism, also known as birdwatching, is a form of cognitive tourism. Poland has enormous natural potential and ornithological tourism is developing more and more dynamically, so it is important to understand and organise it well. The aim of this study is to review information about ornithological tourism as one of the branches of tourism. It is also to prove that birdwatching may be the basis for tourism and economic development both in its local and regional aspects. The article also attempts to indicate the needs of tourist infrastructure for the development of ornithological tourism on the basis of a survey of 356 respondents, including 87 women. Most of the respondents were young people, aged under 35 (66,4%). 78% of them were urban inhabitants. Most had higher (64,4%) or secondary education (27,8%). The respondents indicated Biebrza National Park (18,3%), Warta River Mouth National Park (16,5%), the Gulf of Gdańsk (8,7%), Milicz Ponds (7,2%), Lake Jeziorsko (7,1%) as the most popular places of ornithological tourism. 34% of the respondents were of the opinion that birdwatching sites in Poland were poorly prepared for the activity.