The Algarve Tourism Region will participate, for the first time, in the International Ornithology Tourism Fair (FIO), which takes place in the Monfragüe National Park (Cáceres), from 11 to 13 March. The region's presence at the fair dedicated to bird watching aims to reinforce its position as a destination for birdwatchers and to present all of its offer and resources as a “green destination”.
According to RTA, «this year, 13 visitors and a hundred exhibitors are expected at FIO, from Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, United States of America, Germany, China and India. Aimed at the general public, the event brings together the best offer in nature tourism and ornithology, with the presence of specialized companies, public entities and sector associations».
"Oh birdwatching it is a growing activity around the world. If, on the one hand, the activity is an engine of regional development, due to its economic impact, on the other, the birdwatchers they normally travel outside peak seasons, so this tourist by-product has a strategic importance for the Algarve, allowing us to alleviate seasonality», considers Desidério Silva, president of the Algarve Tourism Region.
RTA explains that «since 2009, the Algarve has been structuring its birdwatching offer. Based on a study carried out by Associação Almargem and the Sociedade Portuguesa das Aves for the RTA, the Algarve has acquired the necessary conditions for birdwatching».
Bird observatories, walkways, information panels, signage and viewpoints were set up on the ground, the «Birdwatching Algarve» brand was created and specific promotional materials were launched, such as the «Bird Watching Guide», a publication with technical information about the sites where you can observe birds in the region and a map that includes 32 routes.
During FIO, «the Algarve presents its unique conditions for birdwatching: there are more than 250 species to be found in the region, a natural territory marked by several protected areas, such as the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the Park Born in Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina, many of which are classified as a Special Protection Area for birds, especially Sagres», reveals the RTA.
According to the organization, “it is estimated that there are about 100 million bird watchers in the world, with France, the United States of America, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain among the countries with the greatest tradition in ornithological tourism . In the neighboring country, the demand for nature tourism activities has increased considerably, and the birdwatching has been following this growth trend».
RTA's participation in the ornithology fair is part of the application to the Support System for Collective Actions (SIAC), a project co-financed by CRESC Algarve 2020 – Algarve Regional Operational Program.
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