European Destination of Excellence"Tourism and protected areas"

Estonian destination of Excellence award

S O O M A ALand of Bogs National Park

International Jury MeetingMay 26th 2009

The Flower Pavillion Pirita tee 26, Tallinn

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

Where is Soomaa?

- Values of Soomaa- Values of Soomaa- STDS- STDS- Products & Services- Products & Services

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 and all

large carnivores;

Large untouched bogs

Naturally meandering riversNaturally meandering rivers

Regular floodsRegular floods

Five Seasons – More ReasonsFive Seasons – More Reasons

Fifth Season

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

Soomaa -Capital of Estonian Wilderness

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

• Board of Soomaa -Local PANPark Group

• Enviromental Board

• State Forest Center

• Green Riverland

• Local Authorities

• Friends of Soomaa

• Soomaa Tourism Association

• Village Groups

Local FoodLocal Food

Target Groups of Soomaa

Людмила Руукел+3725029793

mila@soomaa.comКонтакты:

Marketing Strategy and Plan Marketing Strategy and Plan 2010 - 20122010 - 2012

Tourism products -Tourism products -Discover Villages of SoomaaDiscover Villages of Soomaa

Dugout-Canoe BuildingDugout-Canoe Building

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

18.- 27. of June 200918.- 27. of June 2009Song Festival FireSong Festival Firecarried from Tartu through carried from Tartu through Pärnu to Tallinn Pärnu to Tallinn by old boatsby old boats

Tourism products -Tourism products -Bogshoeing – a True Wilderness Bogshoeing – a True Wilderness ExperienceExperience

Bogshoeing in combination with Bogshoeing in combination with Bogwalking on wooden pathsBogwalking on wooden paths

Co-operating with Travel Trade

Kick-spark trips on frozen rivers

Cross-country skiing trips on frozen Bogs

Wildlife Tracking

Beaver SafariesBeaver Safaries

Thank You!Questions please!