According to a study by the International Whaling Commission, whale-related tourism brings in 280 million dollars every year to Latin America, making whales big business. In 91 towns in 18 countries, whale-tourism grew 11.3 percent between 1998 and 2006 and in Argentina the growth was between 15 and 19 percent.One of the authors of the study was Argentine researcher Miguel Iniguez, who recognizes the complex management problems presented by such a boost in tourism. 245,000 people come to watch whales here every year, primarily in Patagonia, and making sure that they have positive, eco-friendly experiences is an important part in keeping whaling tourism growing without hurting the whales. The results of the current conference on whether or not commercial whaling should be legal again will certainly affect the future of this profitable industry.

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Tags: Alive, America, Bigger, Business, Latin, Whales

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Tags: Alive, Banging, Clinking, Contented, Corks, Gavels, Glasses, Hills, Popping, Sound, Stowe, Vermont, with, Yums