The value of wildlife to tourism and the Australian economy

Australia boasts great beaches and world-class hotels, but so do many other countries.

What makes us really different, special enough to travel to from afar, is our wildlife and Indigenous culture

How important then is wildlife to our visitors from overseas? Is patting a kangaroo and cuddling a koala enough, or do they want to see a greater variety, both in captivity and in the wild?

How do we best market our wildlife through schemes such as National Landscapes?

How important is wildlife and their habitats to domestic travellers wanting to see something a bit different from their home region when they travel?

How much revenue does bird-watching, whale-watching, visits to national parks etc. bring to the local communities by tourists staying in their district (paying for food, accommodation, petrol, pubic transport, souvenirs etc.)?

Can some of the revenue from wildlife tourism assist in preserving the species and habitats that make such tourism possible?

Some references:

Thresher, P. (1981). “The economics of a lion.” Unasylva 33(134): 34-35.
Tisdell, C. (1996). “Ecotourism, Economics, and the Environment: Observations from China.” Journal of Travel Research 34(4): 11-19.
Tisdell, C. (1998). Non-Consumption and Non-Use Values of Marine Resources with Particular Reference to Queensland and Australia. First Meeting of the Fish Stocks Commission of the World Humanity Action Trust, University of Queensland.
Tisdell, C. and C. Wilson (2000). Economic, Educational and Conservation Benefits of Sea Turtle Based Ecotourism: A Study Focused on Mon Repos. Brisbane, University of Queensland: 1-70.
Tisdell, C. and C. Wilson (2000). Economics, Ecology and the Environment: Developing ecotourism for the survival of sea turtles. Brisbane, University of Queensland.
Tisdell, C. and C. WIlson (2001). “Wildlife-based tourism and increased support for nature conservation financially and otherwise: evidence from sea turtle ecotourism at Mon Repos.” Tourism Economics 7(3): 233-249.
Tisdell, C. and C. Wilson (2001). Tourism and the conservation of sea turtles: an Australian case study. Tourism Economics, the Environment and Development: Analysis and Policy. C. Tisdell. UK, Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd: 356-368.
Tisdell, C. and C. Wilson (2002). Economic, Educational and Conservation Benefits of Sea Turtle Based Ecotourism: a study focused on Mon Repos. Gold Coast, CRC for Sustainable Tourism: 1-104.
Tisdell, C., Wilson, C., (2004). Economics of Wildlife tourism -Chapter 8. Wildlife Tourism-impacts, management and planning. K. Higginbottom, Common Ground Publishing Pty Ltd: 145-163.
Wilson, C. and C. Tisdell (2001). “Sea turtles as a non-consumptive tourism resource especially in Australia.” Tourism Management 22: 279-288.
Wilson, C., Tisdell, C., (2003). “Conservation and Economic Benefits of Wildlife-Based Marine Tourism: Sea Turtles and Whales as Case Studies.” Human Dimensions of Wildlife 8(1): 49-58.