It is hoped that within 12 months the Algarve will become established as an important destination for followers of the activity.

To launch the campaign the Tourism Board organized a bird-watching press trip which included watching birds on the Sapal Nature Reserve in Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António, and the presentation of a project for a new observatory in Tavira’s Natural Park.

Nuno Aires, head of the Algarve Regional Tourism Board (ERTA), showed his enthusiasm for the Algarve’s new-found niche by participating in the day’s events.

A study into birds and bird-watching in the Algarve was commissioned by ERTA from the Almargem Environmental Association as well as the Portuguese Society for Bird Studies. Five key areas of particular interest for bird watching within the Algarve were identified: Ria Formosa, the Vicentina Coast, Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim’s Sapal Nature Reserve, Salgados Lagoon (Galé) and a fifth spot in the Algarve’s interior.

The study also revealed that within the UK alone there are some four million dedicated bird-watchers.

Nuno Aires said that the next step in carrying out this campaign would be to approach the City Halls’ of the five afore-mentioned key areas and assess their interest in the project.

Of the day’s bird-watching activities, Nuno Aires commented, “This introduction marks the launch of the project and included the presence of journalists, tour operators, and interested companies to get a better feel for the dimensions of the product and the work being carried out by Almergem and SPEA.

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