Browsing by Author "Costa, Andreia Sofia Correia da"
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- Birdwatcher profile in the Ria Formosa Natural ParkPublication . Costa, Andreia Sofia Correia da; Pintassilgo, Pedro Miguel Guerreiro Patolea; Matias, António Jorge PeresBirdwatching is a growing tourism sector worldwide. In the Algarve the potential for birdwatching activities is widely recognized, in particular in the Ria Formosa Natural Park (RFNP). This study aims to describe birdwatchers profile in RFNP and for that a survey was applied in “Quinta de Marim”. Regarding socio-economic characteristics of birdwatchers, the survey results show that the most important nationalities are: British (39%), Dutch (17%) and Portuguese (17%). The majority of birdwatchers are male (55%) and married (51%). The average age is 50 years old. They are highly educated (74% have an academic degree). Concerning profession, the most frequent answer was retired (41%). The study also analyses the willingness to pay to improve the overall conditions of the activity in “Quinta de Marim”. The results show that 92% of the birdwatchers would be willing to pay an entrance fee to fund birdwatching facilities at the location. On average they are willing to pay 4.29€. The environmental awareness of the respondents was examined using the New Environmental Paradigm scale. The results show a high environmental consciousness. Respondents are committed to the activity as they have knowledge about birds (86%), possess special equipment (70%) and do it when in vacations (85%). Moreover, it was found that there is a relationship between the nationality of the birdwatcher and the amount he is willing to pay to fund birdwatching facilities. There is also a relationship between nationality and the practice of birdwatching in other places in the Algarve. This research contributes to a better knowledge of the birdwatcher profile in the RFNP and therefore it can be used by policy-makers to enhance birdwatching tourism in the region.