Around the world, more and more people are experiencing the thrill of watching whales, dolphins and porpoises in the wild. Whale watching is a fast growing industry that is encouraging people to protect whales and their habitats, supporting developing economies and providing local employment. The growth of whale watching: From the frigid northern waters of Iceland to the tropical isles of the South Pacific, the popularity of whale watching has grown around the world. Between 1991 and 2008, the number of whale watchers grew from 4 million to 13 million, making it one of the fastest developing tourism industries. Interestingly, this growth is fastest in some of the most important areas for whale conservation, including Asia and Oceania, where the debate over Japans supposedly scientific whaling is ongoing. As Japans neighbours begin to see more profit from whale watching, they are becoming more active opponents to whale hunting. Impact of whale watching on local communities: Although whale watching is part of the global tourism industry, it has the greatest effect on local communities. Not only does the industry support local businesses, but it brings with it a sense of identity and cultural pride, helping to foster an appreciation for the marine environment. SookeWahleWatching
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 05:37:25 +0000