The development and value of whale-watch tourism in the west of Scotland

In 2008, Scotland was estimated to have one of the highest proportion of whale-watching tourists of any European country, providing important economic benefits to rural coastal communities. Since then, information has been lacking on how the industry is developing. Because whale watching is not regulated or licensed, basic information on the number of operators and capacity of the industry is difficult to obtain. Wildlife tour operators (N = 77) were identified in the west of Scotland using internet searches and categorized as "whale-watch operators" where 66%-100% of income was derived from using the opportunity of encountering cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) to market tours (N = 40). Questionnaires were circulated to 35 whale-watch operators with responses received from 22. It was estimated that 72 full-time equivalent jobs exist in the sector in the study area. Over half of the operators (54%) have been conducting whale watching for greater than 10 years, suggesting it can be a reliable source of employment. Inclement weather followed by the number of tourists were cited, respectively, as the greatest challenges for operators. Almost half of respondents (46%) said that the amount of wildlife was not a challenge, with minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) being the main target species. In 2015 an estimated 51,200 people went whale watching on boats in the west of Scotland, generating an estimated £2.3 million and £3.7 million of direct and indirect revenue, respectively. Since 2000, the number of whale-watching passengers declined by 17.3%. In the same period, revenue generated by the industry declined by 1.4% per annum. Although whale watching remains unregulated, the current lack of growth presents an opportunity to foster an environmentally and economically sustainable model for the industry in the west of Scotland.