Published on 1/31/2026
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Last update: 00:42 (Mecca time)
Bird watching attracts millions of enthusiasts annually and is one of the fastest growing ecotourism sectors. According to a report issued by the Grand View Research website, the size of the bird-watching tourism market reached about $66.2 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach $95.2 billion by 2030. This growth is due to rising environmental awareness and increasing demand for sustainable travel patterns to destinations rich in bird biodiversity, such as Costa Rica, Kenya, Malaysia and Egypt. This tourism not only represents an important economic resource for local communities, but also provides exceptional opportunities to discover diverse and rich ecosystems.
In the Egyptian context, Swiss Nina Prokhazka, a specialist in organization development, points out that the Fayoum region has remarkable potential in the field of eco-tourism. Between 2003 and 2005, Prokhazka coordinated a project aimed at mobilizing resources and creating the necessary conditions for sustainable tourism activities in the region. Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, she said: “Fayoum has exceptional elements for eco-tourism based on nature and culture, from quiet rural scenery, lakes and bird reserves, to pristine desert areas that contain fossils of global importance.”
Prokhazka explains that the project, which was called “The Preliminary Phase of Ecotourism in Fayoum,” formed the first nucleus to attract visitors to the region, adding: “Visitors are often professional ornithologists or amateurs, and most of them are from outside Egypt, especially from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. They travel specifically to see rare or regional species of birds, and they bring advanced equipment such as high-quality binoculars, remote observation scopes, and detailed field guides. They also have precise and planned programs.” “Carefully, they appreciate the unique opportunities that Fayoum provides to observe species that are difficult to see in other places.”
Not all bird watching tourism enthusiasts are professionals; Some of them are amateurs who only need a camera, binoculars, and a real desire to enjoy the amazing world of birds. This is how Jorge, a Colombian national whose country is among the most biodiverse in the world, describes the demands of the trip. His work in renewable energy took him to Egypt, where his career path met his passion for the world of birds.
George tells Al Jazeera Net: “Monitoring bird numbers and understanding their behavior and migration patterns are essential considerations when planning wind energy farms. I also love photography, so I have professional and personal reasons that support my passion for bird watching.”
George has been living in Egypt for two years, and adds: “During my first visit to Fayoum, I was lucky to find organized bird-watching tours, so I decided to participate. Visiting the place accompanied by a trained guide avoids frustration, and opens the way to seeing species that are difficult to recognize or see on your own. From distinguishing between different species, and the differences between males and females, to learning about the voices of birds and their various tweets, it is a very enjoyable experience.”
Coincidences turned into global discoveries and scientific papers
Although Egyptian local guide Ahmed Mansour’s primary field of study is trade, chance played a pivotal role in his career, leading him time after time deeper into the world of birds. The story began in 2001, when he joined a training program on ecotourism in his home governorate, Umm Fayoum. At that time, he had to choose between becoming a desert guide or a local guide, so he chose the second path.
Mansour received his training for three years, then obtained an official license, before continuing his education and specialization until he became one of the most prominent local guides in bird watching. He told Al Jazeera Net: “Whoever tries birdwatching, even once, rarely stops repeating the experience. Many people visit Fayoum by chance or as part of a one-day trip, but I am surprised when they return again intentionally, out of a desire to understand this amazing world. Food, migration stations, return paths, and contemplating colors and behaviors through observation binoculars, all of that is enough to push some visitors to become attached to a particular species, such as gulls, owls, or birds of prey. It is like pureness.”
Mansour has a record of rare observations and discoveries, many of which he documented in scientific papers. Most notably, in 2015, he observed a black bird of the Greater Flamingo family, while the usual color of this bird is pinkish white and of a specific size. After reviews with doctors and specialists, it became clear that the condition resulted from a genetic mutation due to mating with a sick female, whose disease affected the eggs’ genes.
In 2024, Mansour succeeded in documenting the passage of the tundra swan across the continent of Africa for the first time ever, which is also known as the Bewick’s swan. He was also able to record the first appearance of the white-headed duck, or white duck, in Egypt, after an absence of more than a hundred years.
Indispensable tips for a more enjoyable experience
Nina Prokhazka advises those who want to experience bird watching tourism to first ask themselves a basic question: Do we have patience and curiosity? She explains: “Bird watching is not a race between one sighting and another, but rather it is about slowing down, listening, and a real opportunity to discover nature.”
Prokhazka offers a set of basic tips that contribute to making the bird watching experience richer and more enjoyable, the most notable of which are:
- Go with a local guide, as he is often familiar with the natural habitats and different species, in addition to the best times of day for viewing, which makes the experience easier and more in-depth.
- Start with common birds, because learning about them helps build confidence, and later paves the way for noticing the subtle differences between less common species.
- Be calm and move slowly, as birds only appear when they feel reassured and safe.
- Do not worry about equipment at first, as it is not necessary to buy special binoculars, guides often provide binoculars for participants.
- Enjoying the whole scene, not just the birds. Bird watching includes light, sounds, water, the desert or surrounding green spaces, as well as the feeling that a person is part of this natural world.
