The market size of the wildlife tourism industry worldwide is expected to grow significantly until 2023. While this market was estimated to be valued at *** billion U.S. dollars in 2021, it is forecast to rise to nearly *** billion U.S. dollars by 2032.

This dataset includes data on the number of people who complied with or violated sea turtle distance viewing guidelines under different communication messaging conditions as well as descriptive notes that provide more context for the interactions. Data were collected at two locations, Alii and Punaluu. There is a separate data file for each site.

Tourism accounts for 9% of global GDP and comprises 1.1 billion tourist arrivals per annum. Visits to wildlife tourist attractions (WTAs) may account for 20–40% of global tourism, but no studies have audited the diversity of WTAs and their impacts on the conservation status and welfare of subject animals. We scored these impacts for 24 types of WTA, visited by 3.6–6 million tourists per year, and compared our scores to tourists’ feedback on TripAdvisor. Six WTA types (impacting 1,500–13,000 individual animals) had net positive conservation/welfare impacts, but 14 (120,000–340,000 individuals) had negative conservation impacts and 18 (230,000–550,000 individuals) had negative welfare impacts. Despite these figures only 7.8% of all tourist feedback on these WTAs was negative due to conservation/welfare concerns. We demonstrate that WTAs have substantial negative effects that are unrecognised by the majority of tourists, suggesting an urgent need for tourist education and regulation of WTAs worldwide.

The global Wildlife Tourism Market size is predicted to grow from USD 177.42 billion in 2024 to USD 372.53 billion by 2034, reflecting a CAGR of over 7.7% from 2025 through 2034. Prominent industry players include Exodus Travels., Poseidon Expeditions, 50 Degrees North, Chinkara Journeys, Birding Ecotours, Elm Wildlife Tours, Frontiers North Adventures, Rockjumper Birding., Absolute Zambia Safaris., G Adventures.

To understand and hence improve the use of science and monitoring in the management of wildlife tourism. To understand and hence improve the use of science and monitoring in the management of wildlife tourism.

Roughly 2.2 million people visited wildlife tourist facilities in Kenya as of 2022. Kenyan citizens composed the majority of visitors, with around 1.7 million individuals. Overall, the number of visitors has been following an increasing trend since the restrictions related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak came to an end. However, the volume of non-resident visitors has remained below the pre-pandemic level.

Linking climatic factors, ecosystem properties, biodiversity and ecosystem services (ESS) is critical for projecting future impacts of climate change on ESS. However, it is difficult to quantitatively link these components, in particular at large scales. Here we develop a new, comprehensive framework, incorporating direct and indirect effects of biodiversity and climate, as well as of socio-economic drivers and ecosystem disservices (human diseases) on cultural ESS. We applied our framework to wildlife tourism in Africa and collected climate, ecosystem, large mammal, socio-economic, malaria and tourist data from 64 savannah national parks across 10 countries in eastern and southern Africa. We used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to quantitatively test the direct and indirect relationships proposed in our framework between these multiple factors and wildlife tourism. We found significant relationships between climatic factors, large mammal densities and tourist numbers that were also influenced by travel cost, park quality (e.g. road quality, accommodation) and park management, but not by malaria. We found in particular a positive association between biodiversity and wildlife tourism, i.e. tourist numbers increased with large predator densities. We also detected a direct relationship between annual temperature and wildlife tourism. Furthermore, we found an indirect, but weak association between other climatic factors and wildlife tourists mediated via large mammal densities. We conclude that multiple factors influenced wildlife tourism across large spatial scales and a particularly important factor was biodiversity (i.e. charismatic large mammals). The direct and indirect links between climate, large mammals and wildlife tourism imply negative consequences of climate change, in particular of increasing temperatures for biodiversity and ESS provisioning in African savannahs. Our study demonstrates that a comprehensive quantitative understanding of direct and indirect relationships between climate, biodiversity, socio-economic drivers and ESS increases the value and applicability of ESS concepts for decision-making in politics and society.

Wildlife Tourism Market Outlook

According to our latest research and analysis, the global wildlife tourism market size reached USD 172.4 billion in 2024, reflecting strong momentum driven by increasing consumer interest in nature-based travel and conservation experiences. With a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% projected from 2025 to 2033, the market is expected to achieve a value of USD 314.7 billion by 2033. This impressive growth is primarily fueled by rising environmental awareness, expanding disposable incomes, and the proliferation of digital booking platforms, which collectively enhance accessibility and visibility for wildlife tourism offerings worldwide.

One of the most significant growth drivers for the wildlife tourism market is the increasing global consciousness regarding wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability. Travelers are increasingly seeking immersive experiences that not only provide adventure but also contribute to the preservation of natural habitats and endangered species. The proliferation of eco-friendly travel initiatives and the integration of responsible tourism practices by operators have played a pivotal role in shaping consumer preferences. Additionally, the growing involvement of non-profit organizations and international agencies in promoting sustainable tourism has further amplified the appeal of wildlife tourism, making it a preferred choice for environmentally conscious travelers.

Another key factor propelling the wildlife tourism market is the rapid technological advancement in digital booking and travel management platforms. The widespread adoption of smartphones and internet connectivity has revolutionized the way travelers plan and book wildlife experiences. Online travel agencies, direct booking platforms, and social media channels have significantly broadened the reach of wildlife tourism operators, enabling them to target a global audience. Enhanced virtual tours, user-generated content, and real-time reviews help build trust and foster a sense of community among travelers, further stimulating market growth. Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics in travel platforms allows operators to personalize offerings, optimize pricing, and improve overall customer experience.

Demographic shifts and evolving consumer lifestyles also contribute to the expansion of the wildlife tourism market. The growing middle-class population in emerging economies, particularly in Asia Pacific and Latin America, has led to increased disposable incomes and greater propensity for travel. Younger generations, especially those below 30 years, exhibit a strong preference for experiential travel and adventure tourism, driving demand for wildlife-related activities. Furthermore, the rising popularity of family and group travel, coupled with the increasing participation of educational institutions and corporate entities in wildlife excursions, has diversified the marketÂ’s end-user base and opened new avenues for growth.

The Wildlife Film Festival Tourism has emerged as a captivating niche within the broader wildlife tourism market. These festivals, often held in picturesque natural settings, offer a unique blend of entertainment, education, and conservation advocacy. They attract filmmakers, conservationists, and wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe, providing a platform for showcasing documentaries and films that highlight the beauty and challenges of wildlife conservation. By fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of wildlife, these festivals contribute to the growing trend of responsible tourism. They also serve as a catalyst for local economies, drawing visitors who are eager to explore the surrounding natural attractions and engage with community-led conservation initiatives.

From a regional perspective, Asia Pacific stands out as the fastest-growing market for wildlife tourism, driven by its rich biodiversity, expanding middle-class population, and government initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable tourism. North America and Europe continue to dominate in terms of market share, owing to their well-established tourism infrastructure, high awareness of conservation issues, and strong regulatory frameworks. Meanwhile, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging as attractive destin

Wildlife tourism is an important cultural ecosystem service (CES), simultaneously benefiting national economies and wildlife conservation. Nevertheless, many wildlife tourism destinations remain below their visitor and income capacities. Management strategies considering wildlife tourists travel motifs could increase tourist numbers and local revenues. We conducted interviews with wildlife tourists interested in African savannahs and identified key motifs for travel decisions. The most important motifs for travelling to Africa and for going on Safari were seeing wildlife and landscapes in natural, wild settings, whereas African culture or climate were weak motifs. When choosing a specific destination, seeing specific animal species, such as lion and elephant, were considered more important than travel infrastructure or costs. Wildlife tourism destinations should consequently be marketed with a focus on nature-related features, especially charismatic mammals. Accordingly, management that primarily targets the conservation of wildlife and natural ecosystems is expected to secure a profitable and sustainable wildlife tourism.

The Wildlife Tourism market has emerged as a vibrant sector within the broader travel industry, captivating nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. This form of tourism enables travelers to experience and interact with wildlife in their natural habitats, fostering a sense of connection with the environment w

Wildlife tourism is a growing industry, and an increasing number of people seek to observe and interact with wild animals in their natural surroundings. In Iceland, the native Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is widespread and has been under heavy hunting pressure for centuries. However, in Hornstrandir nature reserve (66° 44'N, 22° 42'W), foxes have been protected from hunting since 1994. These foxes are relatively tame and have become popular amongst tourists who want to observe and take close-up photos of young cubs. Breeding foxes, therefore, face increasing human disturbance within their active den area. In this study, parental visits to fox dens and tourist activities in the area were monitored in 2008 and then annually for a ten-year period (2010-2019). The data demonstrated an increase in tourism near fox dens, and a decrease in the frequency with which fox parents visit the den. The results further suggest that foxes visited the den less often when tourists were present (reducing fr..., , # Den attendance by Arctic foxes experiencing 10 years of increasing tourism

Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.ht76hdrt7

Description of the data and file structure

There are two CSV files. Both can be loaded into R

foxData <- read.csv("den_attendance_by_arctic_foxes_experiencing_increasing_tourism_foxData.csv",

        stringsAsFactors=TRUE)

foxDataMF <- read.csv("den_attendance_by_arctic_foxes_experiencing_increasing_tourism_foxDataMF.csv",

         stringsAsFactors=TRUE)

• foxData has one row per observation of a fox den for a 4 hour duration (or shorter).

Variables in foxData

- year : numeric, year

- yearSince2008 : numeric, year rescaled so 2008 becomes year 0

- denID : character, identifier for den

- observationDay : numeric, day on which observation took place (1-5 within the observed period)

- timePeriodOfDay : character, time of day (period1 is 10:00 to 14:00, 2 is 14:00 to 18:00, 3 is 18:00 to 22:00...,

Wildlife tourism is an important cultural ecosystem service, benefiting regional economies and biodiversity conservation. Many wildlife tourism destinations remain below their visitor and income capacities. Management strategies are needed that increase visitor satisfaction and a destination's reputation to attract more visitors. Wildlife tourism can be directly linked to biodiversity, but might also be directly and indirectly influenced by other factors, such as landscape features or infrastructure. We investigated the relationships between visitor numbers and biodiversity, along with other factors, in a major wildlife tourism destination using structural equation modeling and additionally assessed visitors' expectations and viewing preferences. We simultaneously recorded large mammal and visitor data along 78 road transects in Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, and conducted interviews with visitors. We also collected data on vegetation cover, visibility, landscape features and infrastructure. We found high visitor numbers at transects with high sighting probabilities of large predators, while other factors, e.g. ungulate densities or infrastructure, were only weakly associated with visitor numbers. Consistently, interview results suggested that seeing wildlife was the main reason for visiting the park, and large predators, especially lions and leopards, ranked highest among the visitors' wildlife preferences. Our results demonstrate that wildlife tourists in KNP are primarily attracted to large predators. To meet visitor expectations and to increase visitor numbers, park management should focus on the conservation of natural savannah ecosystems with large predator and prey populations. With such an ecosystem-based management, biodiversity conservation can be successful while securing wildlife tourism and its revenues.

Parameter estimate (β), standard error (SE), Wald statistics (Wald), degrees of freedom (df), level of significance (p), odds ratio (Exp (β)) and 95% confidence interval of the odds ratio (95% CI Exp (β)) for variables in the model. The answer option dangerous was used as the reference category.

These data are the responses of researchers, managers, community members, and tour guides who live or work in polar bear habitats anywhere within their range to inquiries about the types, frequency, and potential impacts of recreational activities. Respondents answered a series of questions on their background and experience with polar bears and the geographic area in which they are familiar. Respondents then indicated how common specific types of recreations are in the area in which they are familiar and whether various types of potential impacts were perceived or had been observed to occur. Finally, respondents prioritized a list of management actions and research needs.

Effects of wildlife tourism on white shark associative behaviour

https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.4qrfj6qgk

Datasets

Operators.csv

This dataset contains the anchoring locations of the cage-diving operators in the Neptune Islands Marine Park during the study. It also includes their respective times of arrival and departure from the Neptune Islands.

Shark.csv

This dataset contains the white shark fine-scale locations in the Neptune Islands during the study. It contains the tag information, date and time of location, and also the respective IDs (SharkID) used in the study.

Parameter estimate (β), standard error (SE), Wald statistics (Wald), degrees of freedom (df), level of significance (p), cumulative odds ratio (Exp (β)) and 95% confidence interval of the cumulative odds ratio (95% CI Exp (β)) for variables in the model. The answer options not endangered, endangered, very endangered were coded as 1, 2, 3.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Ecotourism market size was USD 271594.6 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.00% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 108637.84 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 81478.38 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 62466.76 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.0% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 13579.73 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 5431.89 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7% from 2024 to 2031.
The Nature & Wildlife Tourism Type held the highest Ecotourism market revenue share in 2024.

Market Dynamics of Ecotourism Market

Key Drivers for Ecotourism Market

Growing Environmental Awareness to Increase the Demand Globally: Growing environmental awareness is driving the ecotourism market as consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability and conservation in their travel choices. This heightened awareness leads travelers to seek out experiences that minimize environmental impact and support conservation efforts. As people become more conscious of the effects of tourism on ecosystems and local communities, there is a greater demand for eco-friendly travel options that preserve natural resources and promote responsible behavior. This shift influences travel preferences, encouraging both travelers and operators to embrace practices that reduce carbon footprints and support sustainable development. Consequently, the ecotourism market benefits from a growing segment of environmentally conscious consumers who are willing to invest in experiences that align with their values.

Increasing Sustainable Tourism Practices to Propel Market Growth: Increasing sustainable tourism practices are driving the ecotourism market as travelers and industry stakeholders prioritize environmental conservation and responsible travel. Sustainable tourism practices focus on minimizing environmental impact, supporting local communities, and preserving natural resources, aligning with the core principles of ecotourism. As awareness grows about the negative effects of traditional tourism on ecosystems, both consumers and businesses are shifting towards practices that promote sustainability. This includes adopting eco-friendly accommodations, reducing waste, and supporting conservation initiatives. The emphasis on sustainability enhances the appeal of ecotourism, attracting a growing number of environmentally conscious travelers. Additionally, industry regulations and certifications that promote sustainable practices further drive market growth by encouraging the adoption of eco-friendly measures and practices within the tourism sector.

Restraint Factor for the Ecotourism Market

High Initial Costs to Limit the Sales: High initial costs are a significant restraint on the ecotourism market because establishing and maintaining eco-friendly travel operations often requires substantial investment. Developing sustainable infrastructure, such as eco-friendly accommodations, waste management systems, and low-impact transportation, involves higher upfront expenses compared to traditional tourism options. These costs can deter investment and limit the accessibility of ecotourism offerings, especially in developing regions. Additionally, implementing rigorous environmental standards and certifications can add to the financial burden. The higher price of eco-friendly products and services may also deter budget-conscious travelers, impacting market growth. Consequently, the initial financial barriers can restrict the expansion of ecotourism by making it less competitive compared to more conventional and lower-cost travel alternatives.

Trends of the Ecotourism Market

Increasing Preference for Sustainable and Community-Oriented Travel: Travelers are progre...

Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This dataset is from the survey conducted in Indiana. It contains: 1. Indiana Wildlife Viewer Survey.pdf: a pdf version of the survey instrument 2. Indiana_WildlifeViewerSurvey.csv: a csv (comma-separated values) file of the dataset 3. Indiana_WildlifeViewerSurvey.sav: a sav (compatible with SPSS, the Statistical Package for Social Science) file of the dataset 4. WildlifeViewerSurveyData_VariableGuide: a guide to each variable name in the datasets.

Birdwatcher visitation data and covariates after a species split involving a passerine in the western United States 2007-2022.

Through a 2021 AFWA MultiState Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech and the AFWA Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group conducted national and state level surveys to gather more data on wildlife viewers. This dataset is from the survey conducted in New Mexico.

It contains: 1. README.rtf: an overview of the datasheets and files. 2. New Mexico Wildlife Viewer Survey.pdf: a pdf version of the survey instrument 3. NewMexico_WildlifeViewerSurvey.csv: a csv (comma-separated values) file of the dataset 4. NewMexico_WildlifeViewerSurvey.sav: a sav (compatible with SPSS, the Statistical Package for Social Science) file of the dataset 5. WildlifeViewerSurveyData_VariableGuide: a guide to each variable name in the datasets.