PAN Parks as a tool to improve management effctiveness in protected areas Potential local partner view on the Opportunities and Challenges of PAN Parks Network 25 th October 2007 Tõramaa, Soomaa National Park Visitor Centre Aivar Ruukel - Soomaa.com (Karuskose OÜ)

Who am I ? Since 1995 private tourism business in Soomaa national park Since 1996 Estonian Ecotourism Association, networking nationally and internationally Since 2006 nature tourism student in Estonian University of Life Sciences

Since 1995 private tourism business in Soomaa national park

Since 1996 Estonian Ecotourism Association, networking nationally and internationally

Since 2006 nature tourism student in Estonian University of Life Sciences

Soomaa.com Programme services: Activities Guiding Saunas Accommodation 90% in Soomaa national park Canoe trips since 1995 Bog walking since 1996 Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing...

Programme services:

Activities

Guiding

Saunas

Accommodation

90% in Soomaa national park

Canoe trips since 1995

Bog walking since 1996

Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing...

Summer Autumn Spring Winter

Fifth season

Haabjas building cources 2000-2005

Paddling trips on traditional dugout canoes - haabjas

Local people – local experts Algis Indrek Arno

My experience about PAN Parks May 2005 – ecotourism labelling seminar in Malmö, meeting Mylene May 2007 – Global ecotourism conference in Oslo, meeting Mylene and Zoltan October 2007 – PAN Parks conference in Rila, Bulgaria

May 2005 – ecotourism labelling seminar in Malmö, meeting Mylene

May 2007 – Global ecotourism conference in Oslo, meeting Mylene and Zoltan

October 2007 – PAN Parks conference in Rila, Bulgaria

Estonian Ecotourism Quality Label Established in 2000 Renewed in 2006 „ Sister-label“ for Natures Best label of Swedish Ecotourism

Established in 2000

Renewed in 2006

„ Sister-label“ for Natures Best label of Swedish Ecotourism

October 2007 – PAN Parks conference in Rila, Bulgaria

October 2007 – PAN Parks conference in Rila, Bulgaria

PAN Park officer visiting Soomaa

WHAT ARE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES?

PUTTING SOOMAA ON THE MAP !

OPPORTUNITIES International Marketing

What do you think Vlado, where are our weakest points here in Estonia?

How to create a certification scheme for local business partners?

Professional Standards Industry standards Quality Labels USE OF EXISTING QUALITY SCHEMES

Professional Standards

Industry standards

Quality Labels

Professional Standards - Guide services (Associations of Guides) - Activities (Ramblers Association/ Matkaliit Industry standards - Accommodation USE OF EXISTING QUALITY SCHEMES

Professional Standards

- Guide services (Associations of Guides)

- Activities (Ramblers Association/ Matkaliit

Industry standards

- Accommodation

USE OF EXISTING QUALITY SCHEMES Tourism Quality Labels in Estonia - EHE – for ecotourism products (experiences) - Green Key for accommodations

Tourism Quality Labels in Estonia

- EHE – for ecotourism products (experiences)

- Green Key for accommodations

Soomaa – Estonian Wilderness Capital?

PAN PARKS MEANS MORE QUALITY quality wilderness quality services quality visitors quality experiences

I BELIEVE IN PAN PARKS ! DO YOU?

Thank you! Questions please? Contacts: Aivar Ruukel phone: +3725061896 [email_address] skype: sookoll3

Thank you! Questions please?

Contacts: Aivar Ruukel

phone: +3725061896

[email_address]

skype: sookoll3