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Birding experiences see global surge in popularity
Birdwatching, or “birding,” is transitioning from a niche hobby to a major global travel trend. Driven by social media platforms through viral #BirdTok content, the activity is attracting a younger demographic seeking “slow travel” and a connection to nature as an antidote to modern digital life.
Industry data highlights this rapid growth. GetYourGuide reported a 65 percent increase in global bookings for birdwatching experiences between January and August 2026 compared to the previous year. Similarly, travel agency Voyageurs du Monde noted that bookings for birdwatching-specific trips between July and October 2026 were 57 percent higher than in the first half of the year. Experts suggest that 2027 may become the “year of birdwatching.”
Beyond travel, the hobby is gaining traction as a form of mindfulness and deceleration. Enthusiasts often participate in “Big Years,” where they attempt to identify as many species as possible within a single calendar year. While this practice is popular in the United States, it is also being embraced in urban environments like Berlin.
Entities
Anne Wallin · Berlin · France · GetYourGuide · Selina Veng · Voyageurs du monde
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The travel company Voyageurs du Monde predicts that 2027 will be the year of birdwatching. de.euronews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Selina Veng is attempting to identify 300 different bird species within one year in Berlin. www.kurierverlag.de · www.merkur.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Voyageurs du Monde observed that bookings for birdwatching trips between July and October 2026 were 57 percent higher than in the first six months of the year. de.euronews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] GetYourGuide reported a 65 percent increase in birdwatching experience bookings worldwide between January 1 and August 27, 2026, compared to the same period the previous year. de.euronews.com