The Guatemala Bird Watching Roundtable was formed in February 2004 by a group of private and public institutions that shared the vision to develop the bird watching tourism segment in Guatemala and to position the country as a world-wide known destination for birding.
The Roundtable defined then the National Bird Watching Strategy which is the driving document regarding the development for such activity.
Five-year Vision Statement
In 2009, Guatemala is internationally known as World-class Destination for Bird Watching, where throughout the year there are organized opportunities for watching resident and migratory bird species (in tours, expeditions, congress, festivals, bird counts, and others). Besides generating income for the country, bird watching tourism generates jobs and income for the Guatemalan tourism industry, providing important income and direct benefits to rural communities and conservation areas in the country.
The Guatemalan Bird Watching Round Table
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012 - present
Claudia Burgos – President
Marco Centeno – VicePresident
Claudia García - Treasurer
Group Coordinators
Jorge Mario Samayoa - Institutional Growth & Finance
Ana María Herrández with the support of Adira Castillo - Training
Hugo Enriquez – Scientific Research
Richard Rivera and Estuardo Rosales– Product Development
David Paz with the support of Irene Rodrigez and Bitty Ramirez-Portilla- Marketing and promotion
General Objetive
To develop competitively the bird watching potential that Guatemala holds, as a strategy to generate income for rural communities, increase income and conserve our natural and cultural patrimony.
The Bird Watching Roundtable has 5 working commissions with specific objectives in each in order to reach the general objective. These commissions are:
1. Inter-institutional coordination and financial management for the enforcement of the National Bird Watching Tourism Strategy.
2. Development of bird watching products and services in order to generate a competitive offer under international standards.
3. Education and training
4. Promotion and marketing
5. Research
Institutions that have supported the Bird Watching Round Table
Government Institutions
National Protected Areas Council – CONAP - www.conap.gob.gt
Guatemalan Tourism Board – INGUAT - www.visitguatemala.com
Non-Governmental and/or Development Organizations
Guatemalan Ornithological Society- SGO - www.avesdeguatemala.org
The Nature Conservancy - TNC - www.tnc.org
Fundación para el Ecoturismo y la Conservación – FUNDAECO
Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza – FDN - www.defensores.org.gt
Peace Corps - www.peacecorps.com
Private Sector
Guatemalan Tour Operators Association – ASOPTUR - www.asoptur.org
Guatemala Natural Private Reserves Association – ARNPG - www.reservasdeguatemala.org
Asociación Gremial de Exportadores de Productos No Tradicionales – AGEXPRONT - www.export.com.gt
Guatemala Tourism Chamber - CAMTUR - www.camtur.org
Institutions that have supported the Birdwatching Round Table:
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala - UVG - www.uvg.edu.gt
Centro de Estudios Conservacionistas de la Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala – CECON- USAC - www.usac.edu.gt
Instituto Técnico de Capacitación y Productividad – INTECAP - www.intecap.org.gt
Fideicomiso para la Conservación de Guatemala – FCG - www.fcg-gt.com
