Potential local partner view on the Opportunities and Challenges of PAN Parks Network

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

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...

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

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

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
- Guide services (Associations of Guides)
- Activities (Ramblers Association/ Matkaliit
Industry standards
- Accommodation

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

http://www.ecotourism.ee	31
http://soomaa-com.blogspot.com	13
http://ecotourism-education.blogspot.com	6
http://blog.soomaa.com	5
http://soomaa.multiply.com	1
http://ecotourism.ee	1

Potential local partner view on the Opportunities and Challenges of PAN Parks Network

by Aivar Ruukel on Oct 25, 2007

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Potential local partner view on the Opportunities and Challenges of PAN Parks Network — Presentation Transcript