AviTourism: a Birdwatcher’s Migration

All around the world there are hundreds of thousands of birds to see, and places to experience. As nature continues to become an obscure part of our modern life, the trend of tourism into the wild seems to be growing. In the last five years, Europe and the United States have seen a huge rise in “AviTourism” or Birdwatching Tourism. This leisurely and nature-loving activity involves bird lovers traveling to far off places to see birds that would never venture to their own home. It’s a fun, and fulfilling ride for many, and a true bird lover can enjoy a world full of Birdwatching experiences that are now available.

Bird lovers throughout history have coveted pieces by Audubon, and other artists because of their magnificent detail in foreign birds. European aristocracy craved to understand the far off places like “The Americas”, and artists like John James Audubon delivered… giving them hundreds of detailed drawings and drafts in his infamous Birds of North America. Nowadays, the pictures and paintings are simply not enough for many bird lovers. Traveling to the homes of some of world’s most infamous and beautiful birds has grown to include a whole new class of tourism. “Globally, around three million international trips are dedicated to birdwatching every year” says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and it seems to be a rapidly growing trend.

Countries in Europe like France, England, Norway, and even Spain have seen a huge increase in the AviTourism, as well as South America in countries like Chile, Peru, and Brazil. Due to this, new business has emerged to help tourists reach their destinations and see the birds they came to see.

Apps like FatBirder, eBird, TripAdvisor, and Instagram are now blossoming with offers for tours, trips, and places to experience the wildlife of birds!

Audubon Art Prints offers all 435 Audubon Birds of North America