The Regional Ministry of Culture, Tourism, Youth and Sports, through the Directorate-General for Tourism, will take part in the British fair Global Birdfair, Europe’s largest ornithology event, to promote Extremadura as a paradise for birdwatching.
From Friday 11 to Sunday 13 July, this fair brings together destinations from all over the world, tour operators, artists, and leading optics and photography brands, among other exhibitors. For the Regional Government, it represents an excellent opportunity to showcase Extremadura’s offer to a highly specialized audience and to provide information about the best birdwatching sites, the species that can be seen, local companies offering these services, and key events such as FIO — which will celebrate its 21st edition from 27 February to 1 March 2026 in Monfragüe National Park.
Global Birdfair is a key date in the promotional calendar of the Directorate-General for Tourism. Since the year 2000, Extremadura has attended this fair — previously known as the British Birdwatching Fair — held in Rutland Nature Reserve, in central England.
The Extremadura stand will be staffed by technical personnel from the regional administration and representatives from the private sector, including Martin Kelsey (Birding Extremadura and Casa Rural El Recuerdo) and José Luis Bautista (Wildroots Extremadura), representing the Birding Club. This initiative exemplifies public–private collaboration: over 170 companies and organizations work together to promote birdwatching tourism, including accommodations, nature guides, travel agencies, photographic service companies, and tourist offices.
In addition, within the official Global Birdfair programme, Martin Kelsey, an Englishman who has lived in Trujillo for many years, will give a talk this Sunday on the lesser-known birdwatching areas of Extremadura, especially those in the province of Badajoz.
With around 370 bird species recorded throughout the year and more than 50 protected natural areas, Extremadura is considered one of the best places in Europe for bird lovers, thanks to the richness and diversity of its avifauna. These natural resources are complemented by a highly specialized sector that provides top-quality services in an activity deeply rooted in tradition and followed by thousands of enthusiasts in the United Kingdom.
