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Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy of Soomaa NP region 2009-2013 has been developed in cooperation of different tourism stakeholders related to Soomaa National Park in Estonia.
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Document Sample
Sustainable Tourism Strategy
of Soomaa NP region
2009-2013
Niiskete metsaribade ja suuremate tukkadega vaheldudes kulgevad
need soised niidud kumbagi kätt kaugele lõunasse ja põhja,
ühinedes all suure Öördi rabaga ja ülal Valgeraba kaudu tohutu laia Kuresooga.
Kümned kilomeetrid aina muinasmaad soode ja tasandike lindudele.
Silmitseme huviga läbi kiikri seda ülev-metsikut maastikku.
Ants Murakin “Läbi Paani riigi“ 1929.a.
Sustainable Tourism Strategy of Soomaa NP region
The strategy is developed with the help of:
Tõnu Aavasalu, Merle Adams, Kuno Erkman, Eedi Haas, Avo Hansberg,
Indrek Hein, Dagmar Hodger, Urmas Kase, Tiit Kask, Annely Kesküll,
Tõnu Kiviloo, Urve Kolk, Asso Kommer, Tiina Korts, Aimar Kuill, Ly
Laanemets, Hille Lapp, Taivo Lehesmets, Agu Leivits, Enda Link, Kerly
Luige, Mehis Luige, Liina Lõoke, Algirdas-Andrus Martsoo, Murel
Merivee, Heiki Mägi, Tarmo Männigo, Raivo Olesk, Toomas Parm, Rait
Parts, Kadi Rebassoo, Aivar Ruukel, Katrin Ruumet, Keily Rändvee,
Rein Rändvee, Jaen Soer, Heitti Sosi, Tiiu Umal
The strategy is complied by: Aivar Ruukel in cooperation with the help of
stakeholders of Soomaa NP.
Financed by: SA Keskkonnainvesteeringute Keskus
Approved by: Soomaa Cooperation Panel
2
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
1. DESCRIPTION OF SOOMAA TOURISM REGION ...............................................................5
1.1 Location and definition of Soomaa tourism region.....................................................................5
1.2 Description of Soomaa tourism region........................................................................................7
1.3 Tourism stakeholders ...............................................................................................................13
1.4 Visitor of Soomaa tourism region..............................................................................................14
2. Strategy of development of sustainable tourism in Soomaa tourism region.............................17
2.1 The principles of sustainable tourism .......................................................................................17
2.2 Development prerequisites of sustainable tourism in Soomaa area ........................................17
2.3 Principles of cooperation...........................................................................................................18
2.4 Zonation of Soomaa tourism area.............................................................................................20
2.5 Tourism trends and development directions............................................................................24
2.6 Potential markets......................................................................................................................24
2.7 The conclusions of development prerequisites of Soomaa tourism region...............................26
3. Vison, objectives and activities..................................................................................................28
3.1 Strategic aims of tourism development....................................................................................28
3.2 The horizontal aims...................................................................................................................28
4. Action plan 2009 - 2013..............................................................................................................29
Annex1 Tourism Service providers in Soomaa tourism region.....................................................35
Annex 2 - Estonian ecotourism quality label Estonia – the Natural Way.....................................39
LISA 3 – Sources ..........................................................................................................................40
3
INTRODUCTION
Sustainable Tourism Strategy of Soomaa National Park (NP) region is the first regional
tourism strategy concentrating that has been developed in cooperation of different tourism
stakeholders related to Soomaa NP. The strategy though hasn’t been born to an empty
place, Soomaa NP management plan (1999) covers visitor management in the national
park, on wider scale the tourism in the region has been planned with Pärnu County
recreation and tourism managemet development plan, Viljandi County strategy, the
development plans of local municipalities, State Forest Management Service Sakala
recreation area management plan, Green Riverland tourism- and recreation development
pan and strategy. All the aforementioned documents cover tourism and its development in
and around Soomaa NP then none of those documents are enough complete to cover the
whole area of Soomaa NP region and most of them do not concentrate to Soomaa NP.
The strategy was born in cooperation with regional nature conservation office (State
Nature Conservation Centre/Environmental Board), county governments (Viljandi and
Pärnu), local municipalities (Paikuse, Kõpu, Tori and Suure-Jaani), several NGO-s and
tourism entrepreneurs. In the current document the tourism stakeholders have agreed in
shared vision and development goals and have planned shared steps to achieve the
aforementioned goals.
The aim of the strategy is to support the development of sustainable tourism in the Soomaa NP
area and through that support the nature conservation goals of the national park.
The Strategy:
• Sets the principles for sustainable tourism in the area and gives operational guidelines for
next 5 years;
• Gives priorities to make funding decisions and implementation of the actionplan;
• Gives guidelines to tourism stakeholders how to develop future tourism products;
• Creates a base document to fund sustainable tourism development in the area.
To achieve the aim the present strategy sets the zonation of Soomaa area, sets principles for
sustainable tourism, analyses the tourism potential of the area and prerequisites for developing
the tourism, also the strategy suggests actions to develop sustainable tourism in the area.
The sustainable tourism strategy of Soomaa NP region was initiated when Soomaa NP applied to
become part of PAN Parks network of best-managed wilderness protected areas in Europe. The
PAN Parks network on the present day holds national parks all over Europe, the principles of
PAN Parks combine conservation with sustainable tourism.
During the development of tourism strategy (summer 2008 – spring 2009) the main focus has
been involvement of different stakeholders. Parallelly with the compilation of the strategy the
tourism environment in the area has had several significant changes:
• Nature conservation reform (new agency was established in february 2009);
• The maintenance and recreation management in protected areas has become a duty of
State Forest Management Service;
• Soomaa Tourism NGO has been established;
4
• First tourism catalogue covering most tourism service providers in Soomaa NP area was
published;
• Soomaa Cooperation Panel has taken the position to guarantee the PAN Parks process in
Soomaa NP.
1. DESCRIPTION OF SOOMAA TOURISM REGION
1.1 Location and definition of Soomaa tourism region
Soomaa National Park is located in the Eastern part of Pärnu Depression in the border o Lower
and Higher Estonia. The author of the term „Soomaa“ is professor Teodor Lippmaa, who in
1930’ies named in his division of vegetation of Estonia the southern part of Middle Estonia as
Soomaa. Middle Estonia is a forest- and mire rich area located running from SW border to NE
border of Estonia.
Soomaa tourism development region (Look at Figure 1 ) is an area where sustainable tourism
(especially nature tourism) is strongly related to Soomaa NP and the tourist visiting the area get
„Soomaa experience“. The area is not following any formerly existing geographical divisions,
but has been agreed by the stakeholders of Soomaa tourism. The border of the region is not
absolute and does not mean that Soomaa experience can not be created outside the drawn border.
Still the area shown is the region is agreed by the all stakeholders of Soomaa tourism and
responds to the present state of Soomaa tourism environment. Hereafter the Soomaa tourism
development region is simplified as Soomaa tourism region.
5
Figure 1 The location of Soomaa tourism region
Soomaa tourism region is located in Saarde, Surju, Paikuse, Tori and Vändra Municipalities in
Pärnu County and in Suure-Jaani, Pärsti and Kõpu Municipalities in Viljandi County. In
unsignificant parts the tourism region reaches also to Saarepeedi Municipality in Viljandi
County, to Sauga Municipality in Pärnu County and to Türi Municipality in Järva County, see
Drawing 2.
6
Figure 2 Local municipalities (“vald” – municipality and “linn”- town)
The border of Soomaa tourism region has been drawn considering the following:
• Soomaa NP and its landscape scale management unit (Large Soomaa);
• Tourism development influence area (the sustainable tourism products and services relate
to Soomaa NP);
• Soomaa landscape region;
• „staying“ in Pärnu and Viljandi counties“ and reaching both towns Pärnu and Viljandi;
• Keeping the border nebulous, ie border is not absolute and it is possible to find a shared
part outside the borders as well.
1.2 Description of Soomaa tourism region
Tourism in Soomaa tourism region has developed during a short period of time. Though the
independant destinations have already long history there has not been networking between
different destinations before. The development of the Soomaa tourism region began in 1993
when Soomaa NP was established and first possibilities were created to allow visiting the NP.
After short while the first tourism service providers appeared on the market, after which the more
coordinated visitor management began in NP. The development of visitor management was then
well lead by the process of compilation the Soomaa NP management plan. Soomaa NP oriented
tourism development in the larger region has become an focus with the current strategy.
7
So far there no special broad visitor or market survey has bee conducted for Soomaa tourism
region. There has been different surveys and visitor researches conducted in Soomaa NP, but
never for the whole region on the same grounds (difference of 2 counties). In 2005 the Pärnu
College of Tartu University conducted a satisfaction survey of Soomaa NP visitors, as a result of
this research the main motivation of the visitors in Soomaa NP are the beautiful nature, new
destination and active holidays. Also the visitors mentioned that the area is suitable for short
stays and it is they have had previous good experiences from the area. Many responders
valued highly the possibility to be in the silence, get acquainted with the mires and to
participate canoe trips. As the negative side the tourist mentioned the abundance of
mosquitoes and horse-flies and foreigners missed multilingual information stands. Some
discontent was expressed towards poor road conditions and mobile network.
Still the information about Soomaa tourism region has significant gaps and the present strategy is
mostly based on the judgements of the Soomaa tourism stakeholders. In this reason a very
important focus in the action plan are the surveys and researches to fill the information gaps
about the region.
In Soomaa tourism region there are tourism service providers on several fields, many of the
service providers have their main income from other field than tourism. See Annex1 . The list in
the Annex 1 represents the information availible on internet in January 2009, not all the service
providers can be defined as sustainable. It is possible to see from the list that clearly
unsustainable tourism service providers do not dominate the market and so it makes possible to
spread the principles of sustainability in the whole region.
Nature values in Soomaa tourism region
The core nature value of Soomaa tourism region is unquestionably Soomaa NP, besides the
national park there are also other protected areas as well as unprotected but valuable nature areas
in the region. Visitor facilities are present in Navesti, Kurgja and Saarjõe landscape reserve.
Soomaa NP is the main nature tourism destination in the area and makes it a very important
tourism resource for the entrepreneurs.
Among nature values the main reasons why to visit the Soomaa tourism region:
• 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 and all large carnivores;
In Soomaa tourism region there are following nature tourism facilities, see Figure 3 :
• Kuuraniidu nature trail, Soomaa NP1;
• Ingatsi nature trail and observation tower, Soomaa NP;
1
Herafter the abbreviations respond to following terms NP=national park, LR=landscape reserve.
8
• Meiekose hiking trail, Soomaa NP;
• Oksa board walk; Soomaa NP;
• Tõramaa nature trail and observation tower, Soomaa NP;
• Öördi nature trail, Soomaa NP;
• Riisa bog trail and observation tower, Soomaa NP;
• Tipu village cultural heritage trail, Soomaa NP;
• Visitor centre Beaver trail, Soomaa NP;
• Läti observation tower, Soomaa NP
• Toonoja hiking trail, Soomaa NP;
• Hüpassaare nature trail, Soomaa NP;
• Lemmjõe keelemetsa nature trail, Soomaa NP;
• Sakala tee hiking trail, Kurgja LR, Navesti LR, Saarjõe LR;
• Saeveski everymans hut, Saarjõe LR;
• Vanapagana (Old Heathens) everymans hut, Saarjõe LR;
• Saarjõe hiking trail, Saarjõe LR;
• Labidakivi camping place, near Suure-Jaani;
• Nature around Kurgja farm, Kurgja LR
Culture-heritage values in Soomaa tourism region
The settlement in the Soomaa NP and its surroundings has interesting history, the first
settlements appeared already stoneage, all through the history the settlements in the core of the
region have remained sparse and relatively isolated. In tourism both the material and non-
material (legends and storytelling) cultural heritage pay important role.
Among culture-heritage values the main reasons why to visit Soomaa tourism region are:
• The flood called as fifth season and livelihood related to the fifth season;
• Log boat tradition (incl skills);
• Waterways (former „road“ to connect towns Pärnu and Viljandi both in Hansaetic
league)
• Traditional farming, best example Kurgja museum, other small scale good examples
also among entrepreneurs;
• Pubs next to the „winter roads“ (Oksa, Tõramaa etc)
• Important Historical persons C.R Jakobson, L. Koidula, A. Pulst, M.Saar,
V.Reimann, J.Köler, Kapp brothers;
• Architecture values – Olustvere manor, Suure-Kõpu manor, Tori pub etc.;
• Handicraft and local food;
• Soviet heritage.
9
Figure 3 locations of nature tourism facilities
10
Activities and events
In addition to natural and cultural values the main causes of tourism demand are different events
and activities. These attract visitors to visit Soomaa tourism region, create the “wow” and so help
to design Soomaa as destination.
The main activities are:
• Canoening on the rivers;
• Fishing;
• Rambling on the nature trails;
• Snowshoeing in the bog (year round);
• Horserides;
• Skiing in bogs and kicksledging on the ice;
• Educational trips.
Regular events
• Flooding season, so called fifth season
• Work camps and trips organized by Soomaa Friends (Soomaa Sõprade Selts);
• Music days of Suure-Jaani;
• Logboat camps;
• Nature educational events organized by Environmental Board and Forest
Management Service;
• Events organized by villages (in Tori, Paikuse, Vändra, Suure-Jaani, Kõpu, Kilingi-
Nõmme and others);
Soomaa position in Estonian tourism
One of the main values of Estonia as a travel destination is wilderness represented by large
nearly untouched mires. Soomaa National Park is surely a reference to that, the position is also
assured by applying for the PAN Parks sertificate as a first freshwater wetland park.
The Enterprise Estonia (EAS) and also NGO Estonian Land tourism divide Estonia into three
tourist region, Northern, Western and Southern Estonia. Soomaa tourism region (and also
Soomaa NP) is nearly equally divided by Western and Southern Estonia. Which on one side
causes confusion, but on the other hand offers opportunities, as there are more than one tourism
centres interested in Soomaa as one of their destinations. This creates possibilities to link
different tourist routes, link and develop services and organize better marketing.
Figure 4 tourism region by EAS 11
The location on the border supports also the idea of Soomaa as wilderness capital.
The nationally promoted themes of nature tourism in Estonia are water, nature observation and
national parks. All these themes are present in Soomaa, so the marketing of the services and
products in Soomaa as well as development of tourist sector is supported by Enterprise Estonia.
The concept of Estonian internal tourism divides Estonia into five regions and under this Soomaa
is located in Jõemaa2 (Riverland). This concept creates possibilities to develop ancient water-
road and cooperate also with tourism developers in Tartu. The first event to raise awareness
about the ancient water-road is the song festival fire route that is carried on the water in 2009. In
Soomaa tourism region the fire is carried on logboats.
Figure 5 Tourism region for internal tourism
As Soomaa NP belongs to the network of Estonian protected areas, it is a part of the protected
areas tourism niche. This creates possibilities for networking with other areas (Matsalu, Vilsandi,
Lahemaa, Karula, Nigula, Luitemaa, etc) to develop joint services and market each other.
Unique selling points of Soomaa region
Unique selling points of Soomaa region that affect the potential market to visit Soomaa and not
any other area, are:
− Flooding season/fifth season;
− Untouched wilderness areas - mires;
− Wildlife – carnivores, raptors etc;
− Sparse population, space;
− Silence, darkness, natural light – no light pollution;
− Local famous faces (Indrek Hein, Edu Kuill , Algis Martsoo and other local guides) who
are also reason, why tourists come;
− Cultural heritage (suspension bridges, other bridges, traditional farming etc);
− Logboats – boats dug out large aspen trunks;
− One of Estonian five national parks, representing large wetlands;
− Kuresoo, largest and most well preserved bog of Estonia, highes bog slope in Europe.
2
Do not mix this Riverland with Green Riverland initiative.
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1.3 Tourism stakeholders
Tourism stakeholders of Soomaa include different individuals and organizations, who have
special interest towards or who are affected by tourism in Soomaa. These stakeholders are:
.
1. Local community – people living in national park as well as people in the wider region
who are somehow involved with Soomaa and interested in it. The interest is to be
involved into the planning of tourism in the area as well as that the tourism wouldn’t
affect their life significantly;
2. Local municipality governments – Paikuse, Tori, Vändra, Saarde and Surju
municipalities from Pärnu County and Suure-Jaani, Pärsti and Kõpu municipality from
Viljandi County. Their interest is to preserve their municipalities as enjoyable living
environment and develop it as attractive tourist destination. Tourism is a important field
of life in all the municipalities creating possibilities for income for people;
3. County governments of Pärnu and Viljandi. Interest creating an attractive tourist
destination, linking the interests of different municipalities;
4. Environmental Board (Keskkonnaamet) the administrator of the protected areas
responsible for the favourable conservation status of protected values as well as to
increase awareness of the conservation issues;
5. State Forest Management Service (RMK) interest is to sustain the management of state
forest and create recreation possibilities in it. Among other thing RMK is responsible for
providing information for visitors of protected areas and maintenance of tourism
infrastructure;
6. Cooperation initiative Green Riverland (Roheline Jõemaa) is the organization
developing local initiative in the area under Leader programme. It includes local
municipalities, NGO-s and entrepreneurs. The whole Soomaa tourism region stays within
the Green Riverland, and many of the activities listed in the action plan could be funded
through the funds available from Leader programme of Green Riverland. Interest
increasing welfare in the region;
7. NGO Soomaa Tourism (ST) is a network of entrepreneurs and other stakeholders that
supports the development of tourism in Soomaa region. Interest development of tourism
sector in Soomaa region, more visitors, Soomaa image, better marketing;
8. NGO Viljandimaa tourism – interest development of tourism sector in Viljandi County;
9. Foundation Pärnumaa Turism - interest development of tourism sector in Pärnu
County;
10. Tipu Nature School is a NGO with the aim to develop a nature school from former Tipu
schoolhouse. Interest – development of Tipu village;
11. Village societies. In Lubjassaare, Vastemõisa, Kildu, Riisa, Sandra, Rätsepa, Tipu,
Teesoo, Supsi ja Seruküla, Kootsi, Puiatu etc villages. Interest the development of their
area;
12. Estonian Logboat Society. Interest – popularization of logboats.
13. Friends of Soomaa Interest – supporting the management of Soomaa NP;
14. Landowners, not living on the site;
15. Tourism entrepreneurs (See Annex1 Interest – developing their businesses, growth of
tourist numbers;
16. Researchers. Interest special fields of research in Soomaa region;
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17. Hunting societies, with hunting land in Soomaa tourism region. Interest – tourism
shouldn’t affect significantly hunting and population control activities;
18. Fishermen
19. Visitors Huvi – quality and diversity of services;
20. Soomaa Cooperation Panel – Commission of different organizations that affect or are
affected by Soomaa NP. Acts as Local PAN Parks Group. Interest – improvement of
information exchange, development of the region, cooperation between organizations;
1.4 Visitor of Soomaa tourism region
The main visitor groups of Soomaa tourism region were counted by tourism entrepreneurs. Their
impacts to nature, local community, local economy as well as to other tourists were estimated.
Tabel 1 Different visitors of Soomaa tourism region3
Sihtrühm Impact
Proportion Nature Local Economy Other tourists
community
1. Students (and organized medium +/- +/- + +/-
groups)
2. Hunters small + +/- ++ +/-
3. Estonian companies – large + +/- ++ +/-
summer days, seminars,
events etc
4. Friends and families large + + + +
travelling in groups
5. Fishermen medium +/- - - +/-
6. Backbackers (mostly medium + + +/- +
foreigners)
7. Nature observers small + + + +
(Birders etc)
8. Adventurers (canoeing, large +/- +/- + +/-
ATV etc)
9. independent “partiers” medium - - +/- -
10. Culture interested small + + + +
tourists
11. Caravan travellers small + + + +
12.disabled tourists small + + + +
3
Tegemist on turismiettevõtjate ajurünnakuna sündinud hinnanguna. Süvitsiminevate järelduste tegemiseks on
vajalik põhjalikum uuring.
14
++ very positive impact
+ positive impact
+/- neutral impact
- negative impact
Impacts
• Nature
It makes a large difference if the tourists are aware and if they are guided. It especially concerns
student groups and adventure tourists, whose behaviour can be very much influenced. Also
awareness about protected area restrictions and code of conduct influences the behaviour a lot.
• The participants of organized hunting tourism are always aware and well
managed;
• Problematic group are fishermen, the main concern is garbaging;
• From adventure tourism the canoeing is neutral, but off-road negative (even if
kept in specially designated area);
• Local community
It makes a large difference if the tourists are aware and if they are guided. It especially concerns
student groups and adventure tourists, whose behaviour can be very much influenced.
• It is better not to allow company trips and adventurers with locals, who are not
interested in being visited;
• Fishermen usually do not reckon the privacy of locals and are most problematic in
this matter.
• Local economy
• Student groups – lower the impacts of seasonality;
• Hunting tourists and corporate clients are always beneficial;
• Backbackers are not very beneficial as are usually lonely, there could be more of
them;
• Individual tourists who use rental car are relatively beneficial;
• Nature observes haven’t discovered Soomaa, there’s no products;
• Caravan travellers need special infrastructure;
• There’s high potential for developing services for disabled tourists.
• Other tourists
• Timing and special planning of tourists is very important;
• Special interest tourists have good impact, as they raise awareness of others and
15
create additional attractions with their presence.
16
2. Strategy of development of sustainable tourism in Soomaa tourism
region
2.1 The principles of sustainable tourism
The term sustainable tourism can be understood differently. In the current strategy the tourism is
considered sustainable when:
• It operates in healthy natural environment without harming it;
• It operates self-sufficiently
• It supports the livelihood of local community
The main value of Soomaa is its wilderness, but in the same time also the local settlement that
during thousands of years has evolved together with Soomaa is special and valuable. People in
Soomaa have adapted with the natural conditions. In the land of mires and rivers, the local
people have developed a special way of life and traditions. This sparsely populated and near-
natural area is a magnificent example of people living together with wilderness.
The Soomaa NP is designated to preserve both of these values. Tourism (in and around national
park) demands understanding the values of Soomaa and valuing and adopting the principles of
local livelihood.
The tourism products must take into account the nature and local cultural heritage, throughout
marketing, providing the services, widening the business scale or other activities related to it.
2.2 Development prerequisites of sustainable tourism in Soomaa area
The following prerequisites are needed to have sustainable tourism in Soomaa area:
SIGHTS AND VALUES
• Soomaa tourism area depends a lot from the favourable conservation status of
Soomaa NP and ecological wellbeing of the whole region;
• The abundance, uniqueness, variety of the attractions of the national park and its
surroundings (ie nature tourism facilities, cultural heritage objects, sights etc).
ACCESSIBILITY
• Communications
o Availability of public transport
o Wellbeing of roads
o Quality of communications (mobile network, postal network etc)
• Interpretation of the values
o Infrastructure established to see (and protect) the values
o Availability of visitor and information centres
• Optimality of limitations
o Allowing people to access and see the valuable areas on the same time
sustaining that the sensitive values are not disturbed
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o Equal possibilities to use the tourism facilities.
ACTIVITIES
• The variety, uniqueness and abundance of services provided
• The variety, uniqueness and abundance of sights available to be selected
• The variety, abundance and quality of programs and services linking the products,
services and sights
SUPPORTING SERVICES
• The variety, abundance and quality of accomodation possibilities;
• The variety, uniqueness, abundance and quality of food (restaurants, catering etc)
available;
Figure 6 Different experiences can
be offered on the base of same values
and combination of same activities,
access and supporting services
All the prerequisites have basic quality, to develop the area it is needed to improve the quality of
them with the same guidelines and joint standards as well as increase services offered.
2.3 Principles of cooperation
Soomaa Cooperation Panel as a coordinating unit
18
Soomaa Cooperation Panel is a network of different stakeholders related to Soomaa tourism area.
The role of Soomaa Cooperation Panel is to coordinate the activities of state organizations as
well as NGO-s and entrepreneurs and direct the sustainable development in Soomaa area. The
prerequisite of the cooperation is distribution of information and understanding the other parties.
The cooperation panel meets regularly 4 times a year and if necessary also often, it gives
suggestions to solve problems and face challenges.
It also acts as Local PAN Parks group, having the role of developing the sustainable tourism in
the area.
Cooperation of tourism entrepreneurs and protected area administrator
The contract between Environmental Board and tourism entrepreneur is recommendable to all
the tourism entrepreneurs who provide their services in Soomaa NP. The contract obliges the
entrepreneur:
- follow the code of conduct of Soomaa NP as well as to inform its guest about the code;
- regularly provide visitor information;
- cooperate the visitor monitoring programmes
- regulaarselt edastama külastusandmeid
In the same time the Environmental Board is obliged to:
- Share the available information to the entrepreneurs;
- Provide information about the entrepreneur on the protected area website and in visitor
centre.
How it is possible for a tourism entrepreneur to apply for PAN Parks certificate?
1. The entrepreneur has to have a valid cooperation contract with Environmental Board
2. The entrepreneur has to have a EHE sertificate (Estonian Natural Way sertificate)
3. The entrepreneur who has the aforementioned prerequirements has to apply to Soomaa
Cooperation Panel;
4. Soomaa Cooperation panel makes a decision in one of the regular meetings
5. In case of positive decision Soomaa Cooperation panel recommends the entrepreneur to PAN
Parks Foundation who signs the certificate contract
NGO Soomaa Tourism
NGO Soomaa Tourism brings together the sustainable tourism entrepreneurs in the Soomaa
tourism region, who have the shared aim to market Soomaa national park and its surroundings on
the same principles as one destination.
NGO Soomaa Tourism cooperates with the Pärnu-Viljandi region of Environmental Board, State
Forest Management Service and with Soomaa Cooperation Panel to guarantee the quality of
information and accordance with limitations as well as with the principles of regional
development.
Open communication
It is crucial to sustain the open communication and information exchange with all the stakeholers
of Soomaa tourism area. Soomaa cooperation panel can guarantee the information exchange and
regularity of cooperation, continuous communication has to be sustained by the network.
19
Goals:
• Increase the interest of the clients of sustainable tourism businesses;
• maximize positive communications with different stakeholders;
• deliver sustainability message to different target groups and raise their awareness on nature
conservation and sustainable development;
• to gain broad public involvement and support;
• to gain maximum local involvement and support.
Principles:
• use good written, verbal and visual communication with care and consideration;
• give the appropriate information, to the right place, in the correct form at the right time;
• build and maintain trust through honesty, consistency and integrity;
• maintain a strong two way flow of information;
• Share information on relevant events and opportunities;
• make information available in all formats where practical and reasonable;
• encourage openness, transparency and participation.
2.4 Zonation of Soomaa tourism area
The aim of the zonation of Soomaa tourism areais to avoid or minimize negative impacts of
tourism and increase its positive impacts.
The tourism zonation was developed with taking into account the following:
− Protection rules of protected areas;
− Existing tourism corridors (roads, rivers) and system of trails;
− The tourism zonation of NP;
− The municipal plans
− omavalitsuste (Suur
− Existing land use;
− The wishes of local community
− Developmentpotential
−
The objective of the zonation
The zonation sets principles for following:
- Organizing different types of tourism (avoiding contacts of non-sustainable tourism and
sustainable tourism etc);
- Sets priorities for land use (tourism vs habitat management etc);
- Planning and managing the tourism intensity;
- Guiding independent tourists and estimating the need for guiding;
- Developing new tourism infrastructure or expanding existing facilities.
20
Figure 7 The general zonation of Soomaa tourism region
General zonation is divided into 4 zones (See Figure 4):
• National park territory (39640 ha) – most sensitive area as well as most attractive
part of the region. All activities regulated by the protection rules. Unsustainable fields
of tourism not allowed. The area exposes wilderness, nature friendly lifestyle and
sustainable businesses.
• Other protected areas in the region (10770 ha) – small protected areas that depend
from the wellbeing of the national park as well as the surrounding region. All
activities regulated by the protection rules. In most cases tourism minmized.
• The close surroundings of Soomaa NP (~52240 ha) – the NP depends a lot from its
close surroundings as well as the mentioned area depends from NP. In this region
usually the Soomaa experience starts. Settlements and businesses are favourable, the
village should provide necessary supporting services. Economy has the general
limitations set by local municipalities. The tourism businesses use Soomaa NP as
attraction for marketing and so are willing to follow the principles of sustainability.
• The further surroundings of Soomaa NP (~118300). Are related to Soomaa more
loosely. It connects the Soomaa area with larger towns (Pärnu and Viljandi), with
larger roads (Via Baltica, Tallinn-Valga). There are also many tourism entrepreneurs
who use Soomaa NP as attraction, but in the same time there are possibilities also for
less sustainable businesses (offroad, hunting etc). It is important that into the
mentioned region no strongly conflicting businesses are developed.
21
In the matters of services and speciality of activities the close surrounding of NP is zoned more
precisely and for that reason additional zones are designed.
- The taboo areas of local community – private areas of local people, where rules set by
the owners apply
- The impact zones of tourism objects – the surroundings of existing facilities where the
tourism has impact to the nature. In these zones it is recommended to embetter the
existing facilities as well as develop new attractions;
- The impact zones of water roads – the close surroundings of rivers. In these zones there
are only designated places, where new facilities can be developed;
- Areas that are recommended to be visited with a guide – areas naturally in the
condition that is difficult to access, also with sensitive values;
- Areas where the aim is to minimize the visitation – areas sensitive to disturbance,
protection rules apply moving restrictions;
- Restricted areas – protection rules prohibit moving into those areas.
22
23
Figure 8 The tourism zonation of NP, see also the general zonation on figure 4
2.5 Tourism trends and development directions
When designing new tourism products and services, main trends for sustainable tourism should
be beared in mind:
1. Demographical changes. The ageing community is more interested in comfortable
travelling, they have more time, especially in low season period, they are still active and
interested in things that they haven’t been able to deal with before. Other important age
group that is travelling a lot nowadays is youth, but this group is more interested in other
kinds of products and services as well they often combine their travels with visiting
friends and acquaintances.
2. The change of lifestyles, expectations and needs. People are looking for products that
create experiences. The proportion of special interest travels (experience travels,
individual travels, hobby travels) is rising, when people are at holiday they wish to spend
money, wish to relax, deal with their hobbies, find new places and get acquainted with
new people, participate in culture and sports events, gain new experiences and test
themselves. There are usually high expectations to the holidays, with the aim of getting
out from the routine and having a quality holiday in healthy environment. There are many
people interested in SPA and wellness products.
3. The change of travel preferences and –duration. There’s more short travels. Instead of
one long holiday, people wish to have many short ones. There’s big demand for weekend
travels. The people interested in long holidays, but these are oriented usually to visiting
many countries (pilgrimage, round the world trips etc)
4. Fast development of tourism infrastructure (harbours, airports, highways etc) and new
connections (continuously opening visa policy, cheap flights etc) activates tourism;
5. Environmental awareness. More and more people are interested in the eco-friendly
products and aware of their ecological footprint.
In conclusion the future tourist is less involved with their own individual needs (that are seen as
self evident), people look for new experiences in new cultural, spiritual and emotional
environment. Tourists do not wish to travel, but gain memories created specially for them.
2.6 Potential markets
The Estonian tourism market research conducted by Enterprise Estonia during 2005-2007,
indicates clearly that Estonia has a strong potential as a nature tourism destination in all markets
under survey. Nature as a motive to travel to Estonia, is highest among Germans, from whom
around 81% were interested in experiencing beautiful nature. In the age group of 35-54, around
95% of the people were interested in nature.
The Estonian nature tourism market research conclusions can be carried forward to Soomaa
tourism region
Table 2 Potential markets for Soomaa tourism region
24
Estonia People interested in nature, corporate clients,
adventure tourists, student groups, families,
fishermen
Germany People interested in nature, families, people
interested in culture, backpackers.
Finland Families, people interested in culture, people
interested in nature, students
Sweden People interested in nature, families, students
Latvia Families, corporate clients, people interested
in nature, students
Russia Familis, corporate clients, fishermen
Netherlands Backpackers, families, adventurers, people
interested in culture
England People interested in nature observation (birds,
mammals)
Central Europe People interested in nature, people interested
in nature observation (birds, mammals),
backpackers
Distant markets – Japan, USA etc Backpackers, people interested in nature
Finnish are most interested in beautiful nature (55%) and activities in nature (40%). Swedish
market analyses showed that 29% of the tourist who visited Estonia in 2006 were interested in
being in nature and 16% were active in nature. From the people who have intended to visit
Estonia in the future 69% are interested in being in nature and 42% are interested in activities in
nature.
In Russian market research the main interest for coming to Estonia was nature that goes for 80%
from the people who answered. Similar was also the interest towards architecture and little less
people (70%) were interested in culture and cultural events.
British market is also very much interested in nature, which means that it was the interest of 85%
from the potential visitors of Estonia, when in the same time only half from the people answered
were interested from cultural events and nightlife.
Also in case of Latvians the interest towards Estonian nature is high, 81% of the people who
answered mentioned it as a reason why they visited the country.
Target grop Expectations4
4
Siin ei kajastata infomaterjalide ja teeninduse keele ootusi. Eeldatakse, et kõigil sihtgruppidel on nii sise- kui
välisriigi sihtturg.
25
People interested Information, visitor centre, routes recommendations, maps,
in nature camping sites, guiding.
Corporate clients Preparedness for large groups, interesting activities, guiding,
catering
Adventure tourists Guiding, lease of equipment, information, route
recommendations, maps, camping sites.
Student groups Preparedness for large groups, facilities accessible with buses,
catering, guiding, cheap solutions, souvenirs, visitor centre
Families Stopping places, information, route recommendations, signs,
camping sites, interactive activities for children, restaurants,
visitor centre
People interested Information, visitor centre, maps, museums, guiding
in culture
Backpackers Information, visitor centre, route recommendations, maps,
camping sites
Disabled visitors Availability of services, accesses to facilities
Special interest Maps, special information, camping sites
visitors
2.7 The conclusions of development prerequisites of Soomaa tourism region
The present state of the prerequisites is described briefly with SWOT analysis.
Viga: viidatud allikat ei leitud
Strengths Weaknesses
1. Status of NP 1. Similar tourism products
2. Rich biodiversity 2. Different quality of products
3. Attractive species (carnivores, eagles) 3. Limited tourism related statistics
4. Unique flooding 4. Small number of people (esp with the
5. Good coverage of tourist facilities, experience of providing tourism
sustained maintenance services)
6. Clusters of entrepreneurs 5. Poor quality of connections (roads,
(accommodation and canoeing) public transport, mobile network etc)
7. Rich cultural heritage 6. Unstable institutional situation in NP
8. Notoriety in Estonia during several years
9. Important destination of nature 7. Guiding not sufficient (number, skills
holidays etc)
10. Small and active community 8. Not sufficient catering possibilities
11. Good cooperation with tourism 9. Mosquitoes and horseflies
information agencies 10. Transit on the main road of the NP
26
12. Soomaa Cooperation Panel 11. Insufficient guiding opportunities
13. Green Riverland
Opportunities Threats
1. Increase of popularity of nature 1. The wildgrowth of tourism
holidays and sustainable tourism 2. The instability of nature conservation
2. Soomaa as potential PAN Park system
3. Increase of quality of service and 3. The instability of municipalities
improvement of client oriented governmental system
service 4. The insufficient funds for
4. Client oriented product development improvement of tourism facilities
5. Tipu Nature School and its potential 5. Conflicts between local community
6. Logboat theme-park potential and visitors
7. Museum product development (Tori, 6. The cooperation between tourism
Hüpassaare, Kurgja and Lubjassaara stakeholders does not continue
museums) 7. Continuous ageing and decreasing of
8. The cultural heritage of former water local community
and winter roads 8. Improvement of roads brings more
9. Stoneage theme transit and problems related to it
10. Universities and their interest 9. The intensive development does not
11. Network of Soomaa “gates” and their answer the carrying capacity of
development nature and environment
12. Increase of internal tourism 10. The negative impact of economic low
13. Increase of life quality 11. Climate change, due to the changes in
environment the travelling reduces
The main strength of Soomaa area is the pure and rich nature and the wilderness in Soomaa NP.
The strength is also the sparse population that allows the visitor as well as the person living in
the area, comfortably and enjoy silence and solitude. The strength is related to one of the
important trends of the tourism development is the wish of urbanized people to get out from the
over populated urban environments into nature.
The Soomaa brand is so far mostly known in Estonia, but the status as a national park and its
potential to join PAN Parks network gives the area good opportunity to find its place also in
foreign markets. The cultural heritage resources of the area give the additional value to the
natural assets and gives the opportunity to make the tourism products more special and
interesting.
The important challenge to the area is the cooperation between the tourism stakeholders. The
coordination is today operated by the Soomaa cooperation panel, Green Riverland initiative also
supports the increase of variety and quality of tourism products and NGO Soomaa tourism brings
together all the tourism entrepreneurs.
27
3. Vison, objectives and activities
Overall vision of Soomaa NP:
By the year 2030 the Soomaa NP is a wilderness area with healthy environment with
natural processes and with strong self-acting local community that is valued by aware
visitors.
Vision of sustainable tourism
The Soomaa NP that belongs to the network of European wilderness areas as well its
impact region 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.
Tourism is not seen as aim but as tool to guarantee sustainable development of the area.
3.1 Strategic aims of tourism development
1. Ecological aim – the Soomaa tourism supports the nature conservation objectives of the
Soomaa NP and does not harm the natural environment of the Soomaa tourism region
2. Economical aim – tourism supports local livelihood with creation of jobs and
entrepreneurships and supports the sustainability of traditional businesses.
3. Social aim – tourism supports the welfare of local community and preservation of local
way of life and does not harm the social environment of the area
4. Tourism development aim – Soomaa tourism products and services have strong quality
and the tourism entrepreneurs are competitive and sustainable.
3.2 The horizontal aims
1. Client oriented activities – when planning activities to reach different aims, the
satisfaction of tourists is beard in mind.
2. Identity – Soomaa identity is preserved and developed and made more visible.
3. Cooperation – that brings together different players in the region to increase the
competitiveness of the region.
In the action plan the following abbreviations are used:
KKA – Environmental Board (Pärnu-Viljandi region)
EIC – Environmental Investments Centre
KOV – Local municipalities
RJK – NGO Green Riverland
RMK – State Forest Management Service
SAPT – Foundation Pärnumaa Tourism
SKK – Soomaa Cooperation Panel
SSS – NGO Friends of Soomaa
28
ST – NGO Soomaa tourism
VT – NGO Viljandi Tourism
4. Action plan 2009 - 2013
4.1 Ecological aim – the Soomaa tourism supports the nature conservation objectives of the
Soomaa NP and does not harm the natural environment of the Soomaa tourism region
Actiivity Period Responsible Funding
organizations
Objective 4,1,1 Rules are sufficient to guarantee the
preservation of values and necessary
conservation methods are used
Activity 4,1,1,1 Renewal of the management plan 2010 KKA State Budget
Activity 4,1,1,2 Development of visitor management plan in the 2010 KKA State Budget
frame of overall management plan
Activity 4,1,1,3 Development of LAC methodology 2009 KKA , RMK State Budget
Activity 4,1,1,4 Monitoring of visitors impacts (mobile 2009-2013 KKA RMK EIC
positioning, counting system)
Activity 4,1,1,5 Cooperation agreements between 2009-2013 KKA, RMK, State Budget
Environmental Board and entrepreneurs entrepreneurs
Objective 4,1,2 Distribution of information is sufficient
Activity 4,1,2,1 Publishing information materials 2009-2013 RMK, KKA State Budget
EIC
Activity 4,1,2,2 Continuous update of the website 2009-2013 RMK, KKA
Activity 4,1,2,3 Distribution of conservation message through 2009-2013 RMK, KKA State Budget
partners EIC
Activity 4,1,2,4 Improvement of signposts and information 2009-2013 RMK, KKA State Budget
stands EIC
Objective 4,1,3 Tourism facilities are sufficient
Activity 4,1,3,1 The development and maintenance of the 2009-2013 RMK State Budget,
facilities on the principle “distributed EIC
concentration”
Activity 4,1,3,2 Development of communications (road 2009-2013 Road State Budget
network) Administratio EU fonds
n
Activity 4,1,3,3 Better exhibition of natural and cultural 2009-2011 RJK, LEADER
heritage values entrepreneurs
, MTÜd
Objective 4,1,4 Visitor centre operates as the exhibition and
29
mediation facility of the NP as well as
research and monitoring centre of the NP
Activity 4,1,4,1 The fullfillment of the Visitor centre action plan 2009-2013 RMK KKA State Budget
EIC
Activity 4,1,4,2 Continuous cooperation in the fields of 2009-2013 KKA, RMK, State Budget
research and monitoring in the NP with Universities EIC
universities, research agencies, entrepreneurs
etc
30
4.2 Economical aims- tourism creates jobs and environment for lively entrepreneurship and
supports traditional businesses
Objective /Activity Period Responsible Funding
organizations
Objective 4.2.1 Creating new jobs
Activity 4.2.1.1 Surveying the training needs of local 2009 RJK, LEADER
entrepreneurs, providing necessary training Universities
Activity 4.2.1.2 Improvement of quality in providing products 2009-2013 Entrepreneurs LEADER
and services RJK
Activity 4.2.1.3 Investments to the local products and services 2009-2013 Entrepreneurs LEADER
RJK EAS
PRIA
Objective 4,2,2 Improvement of business environment
Activity 4.2.2.1 Involvment of local communities to the tourism 2009-2013 ST, RJK RJK
business, providing information and training
Activity 4.2.2.2 Training guides 2009-2013 ST, LKK EIC
Activity 4.2.2.3 Development of local souvenirs 2009-2013 Entrepreneurs LEADER
st rjk
Activity 4.2.2.4 Encouraging catering and transport businesses 2009-2013 Entrepreneurs EAS
to enter the market
Objective 4.2.3 Supporting traditional businesses
Activity 4.2.3.1 Producing local food with small scale 2009-2013 Entrepreneurs LEADER
entrepreneurs, creating local “food chain” RJK
Activity 4.2.3.2 Involving local businesses into tourism 2009-2013 Entrepreneurs LEADER
products RJK
Objective 4.2.4 Supporting innovative businesses
Activity 4.2.4.1 Supporting distant working, e-solutions 2009-2013 Entrepreneurs EAS
4.2.4.2 Development of interactive workshops 2009-2013 Entrepreneurs LEADER
, RJK
31
4.3 Socio-cultural aim – Tourism supports the wellbeing of local communities, helps to preserve
the local livelihood and does not harm the social environment.
Objective /Activity Period Responsible Funding
organizations
Objective 4,3,1 Village centres act like information centres
Activity 4.3.1.1 Development of old Tipu school house 2009-2013 Tipu EIC
Activity 4.3.1.2 Developing village centres network to provide 2009-2013 MTÜd LEADER
variety of services
Activity 4.3.1.3 Planning, designing, feasibility studies 2009 MTÜ-d LEADER
Objective 4.3.2 Public services are improved with the help of
tourism
Activity 4.3.2.1 Improvement of public transport 2009-2013 KOV State Budget
Activity 4.3.2.2 Improvement of internet connection 2009-2013 KOV State Budget
Activity 4.3.2.3 Organizing a Shop-car for summer-season 2010 entrepreneurs Combined
Objective 4.3.3 Keeping Soomaa identity
Activity 4.3.3.1 Supporting traditional activities and events 2009-2013 RJK, KKA, RMK LEADER
entrepreneurs
, MTÜd
Activity 4.3.3.2 Producing local handicraft and souvenirs 2009-2013 MTÜd, Combined
entrepreneurs
Activity 4.3.3.3 Protecting cultural values, developing creative 2009-2013 RJK LEADER
businesses dealing with arts and crafts
Activity 4.3.3.4 Conserving the cultural heritage in landscape 2009-2013 RMK, EIC State Budget
entrepreneurs EIC
Activity 4.3.3.5 Attracting national cultural heritage events to 2009-2013 RJK, Logboat LEADER, Kulka
Soomaa (eg Song festival fire 2009) society
Activity 4.3.3.6 Creating mythological tourism trails 2009-2010 Entrepreneurs State Budget
Activity 4.3.3.7 Organizing a fair for local entrepreneurs 2010-2013 Combined
Objective 4.3.4 The visitor centre of Soomaa is the meeting
place for the villages of Soomaa
Activity 4.3.4.1 Organizing events for local community 2009-2013 RMK, KKA, State Budget
RJK, ST EIC
Activity 4.3.4.2 Organizing nature events to the public about 2009-2013 RMK KKA ST State Budget
the nature of Soomaa NP EIC
32
4.4 Tourism development aim – The products and services in Soomaa have high quality and
entrepreneurs competitive
Objective /Activity Period Responsible Funding
organizations
Objective 4.4.1 Products have good quality and strong
identity
Activity 4.4.1.1 Training about the local values to the 2009-2013 ST, RJK, LEADER
entrepreneurs entrepreneurs
Activity 4.4.1.2 Study trips in Estonia 2009-2013 ST, RJK LEADER
entrepreneurs
Activity 4.4.1.3 Study tours to introduce other cooperation 2010-2013 ST, RJK, KKA EU
forms in national parks (incl international trips
– eg to panparks).
Activity 4.4.1.4 Information days about the quality label 2009-2013 RJK , ST LEADER
Estonian Natural Way
Activity 4,4,1,5 Information days about PAN parks partnership 2009-2009 KKA State budget
Objective 4.4.2 Marketing is targeted
Activity 4.4.2.1 Development and print of different publications 2009-2013 ST, RJK, KKA, LEADER,
RMK private, EIC
Activity 4.4.2.2 Participatin in tourism fairs 2009-2013 ST, RJK EAS
Activity 4.4.2.3 Developing a marketing strategy 2009-2011 ST EAS
Activity 4.4.2.4 Creating the events calendar for Soomaa region 2009 SSS, SKK State Budget
Activity 4.4.2.5 Introducing Soomaa to tour operators and 2009-2013 RJK, ST, RMK, Combined
journalists entrepreneurs
Activity 4.4.2.6 Cooperation with tour operators 2009-2013 ST, State Budget
entrepreneurs
Activity 4.4.2.7 Cooperation between tourism stakeholders 2009-2013 ST Cooperation
entrepreneurs
Activity 4.4.2.8 Updating soomaa.ee homepage 2009-2013 KKA, ST, RJK, State Budget
RMK,
entrepreneurs
Activity 4.4.2.9 Market research 2009-203 VT, SAPT, RJK Combined
Activity 4.4.2.10 Producing the movie about Soomaa in different 2010 ST , SSS Combined
languages
Activity 4.4.2.11 Producing travel guide about Soomaa region 2010 RJK, RMK, ST State Budget
Objective 4.4.3 Tourism infrastructure answers the needs of
target groups
Activity 4.4.3.1 Cooperation between tourism information 2009-2013 RMK, ST, RJK , State Budget
centres KOV,
Olustvere
33
Activity 4.4.3.2 Opening tourism information points in Tori and 2009 KOV State Budget
Kõpu
Activity 4.4.3.3 Development of accommodation facilities 2009-2013 Entrepreneurs EAS PRIA
Activity 4.4.3.4 Development of catering facilities 2010-2011 Entrepreneurs EAS PRIA
Activity 4.4.3.5 Developing attractive “gates” for Soomaa 2009-2010 RJK, KOV LEADER
Activity 4.4.3.6 Developing a logboat theme park to Soomaa in 2009-2013 entrepreneurs EAS PRIA
Karuskose
Activity 4.4.3.7 Development of stone age village in Paikuse 2009-2013 KOV combined
Activity 4.4.3.8 Improvement of signs and information panels 2009-2013 RMK KKA State Budget
EIC
Activity 4.4.3.9 Improvement of river-route infrastructure 2009-2013 RMK KKA State Budget
entrepreneurs EIC
Objective 4.4.4 Communication and cooperation
Activity 4.4.4.1 Publicising a local newspaper 2009-2013 SKK State Budget
Activity 4.4.4.2 Using google group “soomaa asjalised”to share 2009-2013 SKK, ST State Budget
information
Activity 4.4.4.3 Development of NGO Soomaa Tourism 2009-2013 ST Leader
Activity 4.4.4.4 Organizing meetings of Soomaa cooperation 2009-2013 SKK State Budget
panel at least 4 times a year
Activity 4.4.4.5 The round tables for tourism stakeholders in 2009-2013 ST, RJK State Budget
Soomaa
Activity 4.4.4.6 Developing a database for best practices 2009-2013 ST, Combined
Universities
VT, SAPT
Activity 4.4.4.7 Cooperating with other regions in Estonia to 2009-2013 Entrepreneurs Combined
create joint products , ST
VT, SAPT
Activity 4.4.4.8 Organizing a tourism conference 2009-2013 RJK ST SKK Combined
VT, SAPT
4.5 Updating the strategy
Activity 4.5.1 Renewal and update of the action plan 2009-2013 All Combined
Activity 4.5.2 Reneweal of the strategy 2013 All Combined
34
Annex1 Tourism Service providers in Soomaa tourism region
Tourism services and products deal with the following fields:
• Accomodation
• Catering
• Organizing tours in nature
• Seminars
• Transport
• Museums and attractions
• Guiding
Activities Organization Products and services Potential BP
Holiday centres Vanaõue puhkekeskus Accomodation, catering, sauna, seminars, YES
vanaoue.ee organizing tours in nature
Olustvere Turismikeskus Accomodation, catering, horseback riding, YES
olustvere.edu.ee/loss/ seminars
Ritsu talu / Veelaager Accomodation, catering, sauna, organizing YES
veelaager.ee tours in nature
Junsi puhkekeskus Accomodation, catering, sauna, organizing YES, with
junsi.ee tours in nature reservation to
some services
Riisa rantso Accomodation, catering, sauna, organizing YES
riisarantso.ee tours in nature
Ponka puhketalu Accomodation, catering, seminars YES
ponkaland.com
Klaaramanni puhkemaja Accomodation, seminarid, catering, sauna YES
klaaramanni.ee
Energia talu Accomodation, catering, sauna, organizing YES
energiatalu.ee tours in nature
Reiu Puhkekeskus Accomodation catering, organizing tours in YES
reiu.ee nature
Accomodation Aasa puhkemaja Accomodation, YES
hot.ee/aasapuhkemaja
Linnamehe puhketalu Accomodation, seminars YES
linnamehe.ee
Livonia hostel Accomodation YES
livoniamatkad.ee
Hostel Soomaa Accomodation YES
hostelsoomaa.ee
Hiiekivi turismitalu Accomodation YES
hiiekivi.ee
Miki puhkemaja Accomodation YES
Hostel Pargi Accomodation YES
35
web.zone.ee/pargihostel
Kõpu spordihoone Accomodation YES
Postikooli puhkemaja Accomodation YES
Lodja huntng house Accomodation NO
rmk.ee
Sürgavere spordihoone Accomodation YES
hostel s-
jaani.ee/syrgavere
Kumely kodumajutus Accomodation YES
kumely.ee
Puhkemaja Joosep Accomodation YES
joosep.ee
Vahelaane talu Accomodation YES
Suure-Jaani hunting Accomodation NO
house
rmk.ee
Männituka talu Accomodation YES
Kuuvalguse talu Accomodation YES
Sõnni talu Accomodation YES
Saeveski metsaonn Accomodation YES
rmk.ee
Lüiste-Alt puhketalu Accomodation YES
hot.ee/lyiste
Catering Sookolli Söögituba Catering (incl on the filed) YES
Kodukorts Catering YES
kodukorts.ee
Kohvik Arturi Juures Catering YES
Kossu Pub Catering YES
Helmondi Peo ja Catering YES
Toidutare
helmond.ee
Kilingi Villa Catering YES
kilingivilla.ee
organizing tours Püstkojamatkad River tours, bog tours, sauna YES
in nature pystkojamatkad.com
Edela loodusmatkad River tours, bog tours, sauna YES
loodusmatkad.ee
Tori matkakeskus River tours, bog tours, sauna YES
tori.ee
Soomaa.com/ Karuskose River tours, bog tours, sauna, winter tours YES
soomaa.com
Soomaa Matkad River tours, sauna YES
hot.ee/soomaamatkad
Venesauna talu Horseback riding, excoursions with the YES
horses
Seikle vabaks River tours, bog tours, sauna YES
seiklevabaks.ee
Jõesuu Jõematkad River tours, bog tours, sauna YES
joematkad.ee
36
Attractions Raja talu miniloomad Mini-zoo, events for kids YES
Vaike talu Traditional farming, excoursions YES
Tähetorn Orion Excoursions YES
hot.ee/tahetornorion
Valma-Tamme talu Kiiking - swinging YES
Kiiking
kiiking.ee/?id=77
Tori Hobusekasvatus Horseback riding, excoursions with the YES
torihobune.ee horses
Tori Käsitöökoda Handicraft workshops YES
arteljee.ee
Haabjakoda LOgboat workshops YES
haabjas.blogspot.com/
Madi talu Museum, nature trail YES
hot.ee/maditalu
Peebu parvsaun Sauna,camping site YES, with
livonia.ee/saun reservation to
some services
Vihtra ATV Klubi ATV s NO
atvklubi.ee
Youth camps Tagametsa laager Youth camps, large events NO, not with
current
products
Spordiseltsi Kalev Sport camps NO, not with
Urumarja Spordibaas current
products
Pärnumaa Skautide ja Scout camps NO, not with
Gaidie Malev current
products
Table 3 State organizations active in sustainable tourism in Soomaa region
Activityvaldkond Asutuse nimi Haldav Services Financing
asutus
Nature toursim RMK KKM5 Nature trails, State
Observation towers, budget, own
Forest huts, funding
Accommodation (see
in table 3),
Events
Museums Hüpassaare museum VM6 Museum, State
excoursions budget, own
funding
Tori museum Tori Museum, Municipality
municip excoursions
ality
Lubjassaare museum VM Museum, State
excoursions, events, budget, own
accomodation funding,
5
Environmental Ministry
6
Viljandi County Museums
37
projects
Kapp’s museum SJLV7 Museum, Municipality
excoursions
Seljametsa museum Museum, Municipality
excoursions
Kurgja museum PM8 Museum, State
excoursions, events, budget, own
catering, training funding,
projects
Information Soomaa NP visitor centre RMK, NP information State
Centres KKA9 budget, own
funding,
projects
Olustvere Tourism Information State
budget, own
funding,
projects
7
Suure-Jaani Municipality Government
8
Ministry of Agriculture
9
Environmental Ministry
38
Annex 2 - Estonian ecotourism quality label Estonia – the Natural Way
Estonia – the Natural Way is Estonina ecotourism quality scheme for nature- and cultural
tourism products. All tourism service providers, who wish to apply for Estonia – the Natural
Way should fulfill following five general criterias:
− Tourism service provider (operator) offers nature- and cultural experiences (tourist
products)
− Operator seeks for environmental standards, high quality experiences, hospitality, and
continuous improvement of their activities
− Operator is registred in Estonia
− Operator follows Estonian laws, requirements and service standards
− At least one key person of operator has taken the course in „Estonian ecotourism and
quality label Estonia – the Natural Way“ . All staff is able to explain the principles of
Estonia – the Natural Way
There are six criterias of Estonia – the Natural Way :
− Accept the carring capacity of destination
− Support local economy
− Evironmentally sustainable business perfomance
− Active support for conservation of nature and culture
− Promote joy of discovery, responsibility, education and respect
− Safety and quality
Estonia – the Natural Way is coordinated by Labelling Board, members of the board are
representing Estonian Rural Tourism Association, Estonian Ecotourism association, Estonian
Tourist Board, Village movement of Estonia, Estonian Fund for Nature.
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LISA 3 – Sources
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