World Migratory Bird Day

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World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was initiated in 2006 and is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. On the second weekend each May, people around the world take action and organise public events such as bird festivals, education programmes and birdwatching excursions to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day.With the theme “Destination Flyways: Migratory Birds and Tourism”, World Migratory Bird Day 2014 will partner with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to promote their new Destination Flyways Project. The project builds local sustainable tourism by linking together key migratory bird sites, local communities and the global wildlife watching industry.
More than one billion people cross international borders to travel each year, of which three million specifically pursue bird related tourism. Eco-tourism is one of the fastest growing travel sectors in the world, and sustainable tourism can be developed through activities such as bird watching and bird photography, with benefits for both people and migratory birds.
The Destination Flyways Project will build sustainable tourism at important locations along bird migration routes, known as flyways. Local businesses, jobs and services supporting bird-related tourism at these sites will create links between migratory birds and the local communities around them. In this way, these links can be used to build long-term sustainable plans for local economic growth and wildlife conservation, for a better future for both local communities and for migratory birdsRead more here