Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy: case of Soomaa National Park

Estonia

Aivar RuukelEstonian University of Life Sciences

MMV 2010 - Wageningen, The Netherlands - 30th May – 3 June 2010

Soomaa – Land of Peat-BogsSoomaa – Land of Peat-Bogs

Where is Soomaa?

Soomaa -Capital of Estonian Wilderness

Nature values – reasons why to visit Soomaa:

• Large untouched mires, among them the largest raised bog in Estonia – Kuresoo;

• Naturally meandering rivers;• Regular floods on rivers;• Floodplain and swamp forests;• Floodplain meadows;• Vascular plants orchids, wild

cladiolus, Siberian Iris;• Eagles, woodpeckers, owls,

great snipe and corn crake.• Elk, wild boar, beaver, wolf,

lynx, brown bear

Large untouched bogs

Naturally meandering riversNaturally meandering rivers

Regular floods – a fifth seasonRegular floods – a fifth season

april 2010april 2010

Fifth Season

Living Culture of Dugout CanoesLiving Culture of Dugout Canoes

Dugout-Canoe Building Camps Dugout-Canoe Building Camps since 1996since 1996

Dugout-Canoe Trips Dugout-Canoe Trips on Ancient Waterwayon Ancient Waterway

Floodplain Meadows Floodplain Meadows

Soomaa is RAMSAR and Soomaa is RAMSAR and Importand Bird AreaImportand Bird Area

Nominated for UNESCOWorld Heritage list

Home for big carnivores

Wildlife Tracking

Snow shoeing

Kick-spark trips on frozen rivers

Sustainable Tourism Strategy

Vision

Vision

Soomaa NP that belongs to the network of European wilderness areas is the most popular wilderness tourism destination of the Baltic’s. Its tourism products base on wilderness experience, uniqueness of Soomaa, cultural heritage and quality service that are offered by the local tourism entrepreneurs and stakeholders.

1.Ecological aim – tourism supports the nature conservation objectives of the Soomaa NP

2.Economical aim – tourism supports local livelihood with creation of jobs and entrepreneurships

3.Social aim – tourism supports the welfare of local community and preservation of local way of life

4.Tourism development aim – Soomaa tourism products and services have strong quality and the tourism entrepreneurs are competitive and sustainable.

• National park territory (39640 ha)

• Other protected areas in the region (10770 ha)

• Close surroundings of Soomaa NP (~52240 ha)

• Further surroundings of Soomaa NP (~118300)

Zoning for Sustainable Tourism

Zoning for Sustainable Tourism

Partners in Collaboration

• Cooperation Board of Soomaa -

Local PANPark Group

• Enviromental Board

• State Forest Center

• Local Authorities

• Friends of Soomaa

• Soomaa Tourism Association

• Village Groups

• Green Riverland LEADER Group

Soomaa Tourism Region

EDEN Award 2009

Challneges - Local FoodChallneges - Local Food

Bogshoeing – a True Wilderness Bogshoeing – a True Wilderness ExperienceExperience

Людмила Руукел+3725029793

mila@soomaa.comКонтакты:

Challenges in 2010 Challenges in 2010

Marketing Plan 2010 - 2012Marketing Plan 2010 - 2012

Target Groups of Soomaa

Local PAN Park partnersLocal PAN Park partners

Thank You!