What effect do whale watchers have on local tourism?
Whale watchers can generate direct income for tour operators, but even those who watch from land (for free) may spend money on petrol, food, accommodation and souvenirs. The winter months were traditionally a slow time for the tourism in Encounter Bay, but the return of the whales has made a measurable difference in the economy. Many thousands of whale watchers visit during the season, with one reported instance of nearly 12,000 on one day in the mid 1990s.
