Birdwatching, a bet on tourism

Tourist activities such as birdwatching, hiking, and local experiences would be key to reactivating the economy in the municipalities of Cundinamarca, after the blow dealt to the sector by the global Covid-19 pandemic. However, it is necessary to rethink the plans at the departmental and municipal levels to make this a reality.

María Elcy Briñez Díaz, a professor in the Tourism and Hotel Management Technology program and a Master in Sustainable Tourism Management, affirms that this practice is necessary due to the type of demand that is occurring worldwide. “After the pandemic, people prefer this type of tourism; it is safer and helps to be in contact with nature. This should be taken advantage of to reactivate the sector.”.

“Before the pandemic, we were with the students on a field trip and on the Magdalena River we were able to experience birdwatching. There are also other places in Girardot, Fusagasugá, Bogotá and other municipalities in Cundinamarca that could develop this activity,” the teacher said.

According to RCN Radio, a news report from March stated that research conducted by the British firm Euromonitor International indicated that during the pandemic, tourists worldwide will prefer authentic local experiences (52 %), sustainable experiences (34%), and immersive nature experiences (29 %). And according to the online travel agency Kayak, which analyzed travel trends for 2021 in Colombia, beach and nature destinations are emerging as the most sought-after, especially within the country.

Given the above, Bogotá is already strengthening its infrastructure to receive tourists and ensure its trails are suitable for birdwatching. The professor from the University of Cundinamarca asserted that this infrastructure is lacking in many of the department's municipalities and that it is urgent to take action to develop this activity.

Likewise, skilled labor is one of the fundamental aspects for this service; training and education are required for guides and those in charge of leading hiking and birdwatching tours. “It is a tourist activity and must be developed with professionalism and planning,” explained María Elcy.

The teacher concluded by stating that she is aware of some projects that may be in the works; however, these types of activities must be carried out through teamwork between the public and private sectors. “Let’s take advantage of the fact that tourists now want open spaces and nature tourism, and in this way we can revitalize this sector,” she said.

Birdwatching in Cundinamarca has been practiced for several years. Amateurs and experts alike travel to places like the Magdalena River and other areas to take photographs and enjoy the spectacle of the bird species. The teacher recommended the following Web page to enjoy some sightings.

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