The value of conserving whales: the impacts of cetacean‐related tourism on the economy of rural West Scotland

Abstract During the tourist season of 2000, interview surveys were conducted with those involved in whale‐watching in West Scotland. The groups included in the study were boat operators (32), visitor‐centre managers (8), tourists on whale‐watching trips (324), general tourists to West Scotland (673) and local residents (189). The latter two groups were interviewed for comparison of responses of those engaged in whale‐watching against the views of the local community and tourists in general. From the data provided by these interviews, estimates for the economic value of this specialist sector of the Scottish tourism industry were calculated. Extrapolating from the surveys, in the year 2000, an estimated total of approximately 242 000 tourists were involved in cetacean‐related tourism activities in West Scotland. In 2000, 59 full‐time and one part‐time jobs were estimated to be created as the direct result of cetacean‐related tourism, with 38% of these positions being seasonal. Cetacean‐related tourism was estimated to account for 2.5% of the total income from tourism in the region. In remote coastal areas, cetacean‐related tourism may account for as much as 12% of the area's total tourism income. The direct economic income (i.e. expenditure on excursion tickets) from cetacean tourism activities was estimated to be £1.77 million per annum. A 23% of surveyed whale watchers visited West Scotland specifically to go on whale‐watching trips. The associated expenditure (accommodation, travel, food, etc.) from tourists being brought to rural West Scotland solely due to the presence of whales represented £5.1 million in additional tourism income for the region. In addition to the above tourists, 16% of surveyed whale watchers stayed in West Scotland an extra night as a result of going on a whale‐watching trip; thus generating a further £0.9 million of additional associated expenditure (extra accommodation, food, etc.). The total gross income generated (directly and indirectly) by cetacean‐related tourism in rural West Scotland was estimated at £7.8 million. In comparison with established whale‐watching industries (in countries such as the USA, Canada and New Zealand) the total expenditure by tourists on whale watching in West Scotland is low. However, cetacean tourism in West Scotland is still a relatively young industry and still developing. The value of the non‐consumptive utilization of cetaceans (i.e. whale‐watching) to rural, coastal communities in West Scotland was three times greater than the value of the consumptive utilization of cetaceans (i.e. commercial whaling) for rural, coastal communities in Norway. This study demonstrates that live cetaceans in Scotland can provide notable financial benefits and, therefore, their conservation has an economic value. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.