BirdLife South Africa and the Field Guides Association of South Africa (FGASA) have joined forces in a bid to promote the highest possible standards of professionalism and skills development within the niche avitourism industry. We are working together to give local guides additional opportunities to develop their careers and provide exceptional birding experiences.
September is widely known as Heritage Month in South Africa, but it is also the month in which we celebrate tourism. Ecotourism is one of the largest contributors to our national economy, and avitourism is fast becoming the largest and most profitable niche industry within the greater tourism sector. In 2010 it was estimated to contribute approximately R2.2-million annually to South Africa’s economy and today it continues to grow rapidly, both locally and internationally.
Through its dedicated Avitourism Project, BirdLife South Africa has been training specialist birding guides since 2000 and during this time more than 250 men and women from rural communities and disadvantaged backgrounds have become expert birding guides. Now recognised as some of South Africa’s most distinguished and skilled birders, they are highly sought-after as guides in both local and international birding circles.
Working together: (from left) Lorenz Penkler (FGASA), Hanneline Smit-Robinson, Thandulwazi Ndaba, Bernice Kelly (FGASA), Nandi Thobela and John Kinghorn. Credit Bernice Kelly
The FGASA has set the standard for guiding excellence, professionalism, ethics and skills development for more than 30 years. It is a well-known and highly regarded brand worldwide and through its courses has trained some of the industry’s most respected and experienced specialist birding guides.
The inherent synergy between BirdLife South Africa and the FGASA, combined with a joint mission and vision, will ensure that this partnership helps guides to give their clients immersive, ethical and transformative experiences in nature. After all, birds of a feather flock together!
JOHN KINGHORN, AVITOURISM PROJECT MANAGER
