Re: Angus will be delighted :-)

Malcolm wrote:

"You ask people visiting an area if they are aware of the special birds

and if the presence of those special birds influenced their decision to

visit."

So? What about other features in the area!



"In the case of sites with visitor facilities, e.g. Loch Garten
ospreys, you count the number of visitors."

Skewed info because it's a bird reserve, Well known;-) And the tourist
busses has an agenda ;-)


Figures for the average spend
of tourists in Scotland is something that VisitScotland calculate
regularly for different parts of Scotland and for different kinds of
different types of visitors, e.g. golfers, walkers, fishermen.

So where are these figures coming from? I'd suggest the figures from
bird watchers expenditure are arbiray1 To say the least!

"The figures just published by RSPB are based on about a dozen economic

surveys carried out in different parts of the country."

And all taken at an RSPB reserve! Bit of a skewed survey to say the
least ;-)


"Such an economic survey has shown that the 350,000 visitors to Mull
spend £38 million on the island, on accommodation, transport, food,
visitor attractions, and of this total, some £1.45m to £1.69m is
because
of the presence of the sea eagles."

Prove that statement! And if you do I'll platt sawdust!

"Is it necessarily a load of **** to
suggest that perhaps 3 or 4% of visitors to Mull are going there
because
of the sea eagles? Mull is readily accessible as a day trip from Oban
so
holidaymakers across Argyll will consider it for a day out."

Bloody hell I thought you are an Islander;-) There is no way that you
can get from Oban ON A DAY TRIP to sea Sea eagles & get back.

Sea eagles an introduction! I'd prefer to go abroad to see 'em!


JS

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