By: Heather Varady

Whale watching is the observation of surfacing whales and other cetaceans in their natural habitat.

Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

HistoryWhale Watching begun in the 1950s off the

coast of California.During the first year, 10,000 people came out

to whale watchIn 1998, 87 countries participated in whale

watching.In 2009, 122 countries participate in whale

watching.

Map of the global distribution of whale watching countries:Countries marked in black had whale watching activities in 2008

Country Whale watchers in 2008 Percentage of total global whale watchersUSA 4,899,809 38%Australia 1,635,374 13%Canada 1,165,684 9%Canary Islands 611,000 5%South Africa 567,367 4%New Zealand 546,445 4%China 307,000 2%Argentina 244,432 2%Brazil 228,946 2%Scotland 223,941 2%TOTAL 10,506,620 81%GLOBAL TOTAL 12,977,218 100%

13 million people participated in whale watching in 2009.

Whale watchers spent over $2.1 billion in 2009

There are 3,000 whale watching operators in the world, who employ 13,000 people.