Partners of PAN Parks in Soomaa national park, Estonia, originally uploaded by Ruukel.
Seven businesses operating around Soomaa National Park Estonia received PAN Parks certificates demonstrating their high environmental standards and commitment to wilderness protection.
Partners, offering nature based services in and around Soomaa National Park, can use the PAN Parks logo to present they are now part of an international network. The certified local businesses aim to support wilderness protection through developing sustainable tourism with nature-based and -friendly products, good cooperation with the park management and recognition of its conservation objectives.
“We are glad that together with the national park we already could certify 7 local business partners, which are important tourist entrepreneurs in Soomaa region. The wilderness commitment they have taken with this certificate proves that national parks that usually restrict and limit the life of local people can also be an opportunity for the local community”, sais Agu Leivits, the chief specialist of nature conservation in Environmental Board, the administrator of Soomaa National Park.
In Estonia the first PAN Parks local business partners include holiday farms, guest houses and a tour operator. For them cooperation with PAN Parks will bring international recognition, will give boost to marketing as the PAN Parks brand and promotion activities open up access to new markets and will establish connections with international tour operators. It will as well enhance training, product development and networking. “ Awarding the park and us with a PAN Parks certificate is a very important milestone for Soomaa in becoming internationally known wilderness destination for sustainable and responsible travel”, says Aivar Ruukel who represents OÜ Karuskose, which is offering different tours in Soomaa national park.
Source : www.panparks.org
