World Migratory Bird Day

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With the theme "Destination Flyways: Migratory Birds and Tourism", World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2014 highlights the link between migratory bird conservation, local community development and wildlife watching tourism worldwide.

With the theme "Destination Flyways: Migratory Birds and Tourism", World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2014 highlights the link between migratory bird conservation, local community development, and wildlife watching tourism worldwide.

Every year, more than one billion tourists cross international borders. Rich biodiversity is an attraction for tourism, and the spectacular movements of the world’s migratory birds are no exception. If properly managed, bird-related tourism activities such as bird watching or bird photography can serve as the basis for a mutually beneficial relationship between people and migratory birds.

For the 2014 campaign, WMBD has partnered with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to highlight the Destination Flyways project. Led by UNWTO and implemented together with several partners with extensive experience in the field of conservation and tourism, Destination Flyways will develop sustainable tourism in destinations along the world’s largest migratory bird flyways, also known as flyways. By channeling tourism revenues into the conservation of these locations, the project aims to protect bird habitats while creating long-term, green job opportunities in local communities. The 2014 WMBD Destination Flyways campaign it functions as an example of how tourism developed around migratory birds can be a vehicle for environmental and socio-economic sustainability, benefiting nature, local communities, and tourists at the same time.

What is World Migratory Bird Day?

Launched in 2006, World Migratory Bird Day is an awareness campaign held annually, which aims to inspire the worldwide conservation of migratory birds and their ecosystems. The campaign is organized by two international wildlife agreements administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA). World Migratory Bird Day also has the support of a growing number of partners, including UNWTO for the 2014 campaign.

"Tourism is an undisputed generator of national wealth, societal income, and local employment. Managed sustainably, it can benefit people and planet alike," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki -moon in a message to the 20th session of the UNWTO General Assembly.

"As tourism continues to grow, so will the pressure on the environment and wildlife. Without proper management and protection, as well as investment to make the sector greener, thousands of magnificent species will suffer," said UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.