With extensive experience as nature travel guides, the speakers will evaluate in this colloquium how bird tourism and bird watching in general have changed in recent decades. Many aspects have improved, of course, but others perhaps not so much. The new challenges facing the sector in the coming years will also be addressed and the interest in «new birding destinations», barely known, but enormously attractive, both on a regional or national scale and on the international scene, will be discussed.
John Muddeman
With a degree in Biology from the UK, he spent several years doing research at Oxford University. He has been living in Spain for more than 25 years, where he works as a nature guide. He is the author, among other publications, of ‘A birdwatching guide to Extremadura’. He is a nature guide both in Spain and abroad for specialist companies from various countries, as well as for Spainbirds Nature Tours.
More information: http://www.iberianwildlife.com
Manuela Seifert
Nature and birding guide, with a long history in the field of bird tourism. She studied Zoology in Zürich and Oxford, and worked for 8 years in Extremadura, directing the Centre for Environmental Education ‘La Dehesa’, in Torrejón El Rubio, at the end of the last century. She currently lives in Switzerland, guiding international trips to various countries in Europe, America, Africa and Asia.
More information: https://arcatour.ch
Jose Luis Bautista Moran
Birding guide and environmental consultant with his company Wildroots Extremadura since 2016. His objective since he began his journey is to publicize the natural and ornithological values of Extremadura. But the main focus of his activity is the province of Badajoz, a lesser-known territory where he wants to promote sustainable economic development around its rich natural heritage and thus contribute to its conservation. He is a member of the Club Birding in Extremadura.
More information: https://www.wildrootsextremadura.com
Javier Gomez Aoiz
Biologist, he is dedicated to dissemination, conservation and promotion of tourist destinations. He is the author or co-author of various publications, several of them on bird tourism, and has collaborated for several years with Radio Nacional de España (RNE) with a section dedicated to the natural environment and tourism in the programme ‘No Shortcuts’.
More information: https://www.javiergomezaoiz.com