About Soomaa tourism on EUTO meeting 2005

1. Soomaa.com – lessons learned
EUTO conference
Pärnu 07.09.2005
Aivar Ruukel www.soomaa.com Estonia

2. Soomaa.com
- Private company
- Established in 1995
- 8000 quests in 2005
- Operating in Soomaa NP

3. National parks in Estonia
• Lahemaa
• Matsalu
• Vilsandi
• Karula
• Soomaa

4. Soomaa National Park
- established in 1993
by Estonian Fund for Nature
- 400 sq.km
- RAMSAR area since 1997

5. Soomaa National Park
- Bogs, forests, meadows, rivers
- Home for eagles, black storks,
flying squirrels, wolves,
bears, lynx ...

6. Products of soomaa.com
Canoeing
on the rivers

7. Products of soomaa.com
Bogwalking

8. Products of soomaa.com
Saunas

9. Products of soomaa.com
Skiing on the bogs

10. Five seasons – more reasons
Regular floods – a fifth season

11. Five seasons – more reasons
Regular floods – a fifth season

12. Living culture of log-boats
Haabjas- estonian log-boat

13. Living culture of log-boats
Haabjas- estonian log-boat

14. Haabjas-building workshops
1995 - 2000

15. Haabjas-building workshops
1995 - 2000

16. Haabjas-building workshops
1995 - 2000

17. Haabjas and tourism
New product - exclusive trips on the rivers

18. Haabjas and tourism
Image building and promotion
• lot of attention from media
• in 2005 six film-teams visiting Karuskose

19. Haabjas and tourism
Promotion of Soomaa on festivals in Tallinn and
Tartu

20. Partnerships and networks
Partnerships
• Horizontally and
vertically
• Within the business
sector and across
sectors

21. Our policy
The philosophy of
SOOMAA.COM is ecotourism,
which means to us:
- supporting preservation of
cultural and natural heritage
- educating tourists and public
- promoting local economic
development

22. Local People
The backbone of our activities is a
network of farms along the rivers
and people living there.
• involvement in planning
• guide services
• other services
– food, transport,
riding, B&B

23. Co-operation with Travel Trade
• tour operators
• travel bureaus
• hotels

24. Hostel Soomaa
Low budget logging
in the gateway to Soomaa NP

25. Marketing and distribution
www.hostelworld.com
www.hostels.com
www.backpakertours.com

26. Partnerships and networks
www.visitnationalpark.com

27. Conclusions
• take care of local values
• do not be afraid of compeditors
• together you will be sucessful
• be creative

28. Thank you for attention!
Contacts: Aivar Ruukel
www.soomaa.com +3725061896
aivar@soomaa.com