National Park as the setting factor for tourism

Dear All,

I would like to discuss how we can use proteced areas within Tourism?
- What guide lines are needed?
- Would it be possible to have some rules, saying that ex. only certified ecotourism companies are avaiable to - guide within proteced areas?

Martin(Ecotourism Norway)

Posted by martinlauten at 30 May 2011 16:08:56

Hi Martin and all,

The good thing is that most European countries have strict legislation regarding National parks, zoning and exploitation of these heritage sites. The bad thing is that apart from a good legal framework the practice says a different story in many cases. Tourism can be beneficial and create a win-win scenario but in my view needs careful planning, constant monitoring and clear guidelines of what an operator or visitor may or may not do in a protected area. Certification can play a supplementary role in this but you also need a good park authority to monitor everything and a local community supportive of what the natonal park stands for. 

From the work we are carrying out in developing the European Ecotourism Labelling Standard - EETLS we have been reviewing schemes on tourism quality and codes of conduct that are found in European national parks today. From my experience there are still a lot to be done on this front as again in most cases specifications are wide and codes of conduct voluntary. 

Its a good discussion topic and as you put it, we first need to decide what kind of tourism we want in protected areas

Posted by ecovassilis at 30 May 2011 17:25:16

Dear Martin et al,

In order to contribute properly to this discussion forum, I'd ask a question from Martin. Did you really mean National Parks or protected areas in general? National Parks are only a small fraction of the total number of protected areas in Europe (40000+ sites, protecting more than 10% of land territory).

In any case, I suggest considering a crazy idea:

tour operators should have a voluntarily scheme or commitment, which says: We as responsible businesses ignore those protected areas/national parks in our portfolio, which do not have an approved management plan!

Could do you think this be possible? Can such a scheme force protected area managers to develop their management plans? I agree to Vasillis that tourism packages, guided tours should only be possible in areas which have a management plan (specific visitor management plan). On top of that the results of the management plan should be monitored in order to avoid damages caused by tourism flows.

BR, Zoltan (PAN Parks Foundation)

Posted by zoltkun at 30 May 2011 17:45:42

Hi Vasillis,

I agree, we need to define what type of tourism we want inside the protected areas - I also belive that the rules for usage of the same areas are different from country to country.
In Norway there is a difference between commercial use and privat use which in some cases makes it difficult to offer product within a national park. I belive we all agree that the rules for usage must be restrict, but with the quality that the certified companies within ecotourism Norway provide - maybe they should be excluded for some restrictions?  

Is there any other countries who we know that are making expetions like this? or has experience with this type of work?

/Martin

Posted by martinlauten at 30 May 2011 17:50:01

Hi Zoltan,

I meant national parks. And I do like your "crasy idea".

I belive there is some tour operators that already are saying this. Pål Medhus from Høve Støtt knows more about this topic. 

Posted by martinlauten at 30 May 2011 17:58:38

So, if we can get the best (cream) of the tourism sector to take a voluntary commitment (ignore the bad parks), the tourism sector would be easily seen as a good partner for the civil society! I think this would hit the roof at the governments, who would then be accussed for mismanagement of parks. This will eventually lead to better protection of biodiversity.

If such an initiative starts to fly, we will be able to focus first on National Parks. But please note again: NPs are small fraction of the total protected surface!, Zoltan (PAN Parks)

Posted by zoltkun at 30 May 2011 18:02:44

sorry one more small addition

...this whole scheme would be somewhat similar to the current Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) movement within the corporate sector. The tourism companies would then demonstrate their feel of responsibility towards the destinations.

Let us go for it! I think the touroperators who will set up and commit on a new level, will have their position in markets. Here in Norway we already have discussions with operators that will visit us because of our strict managment of our National parks. And that is great!

How do we in Europe, totalt, take this a step further?

Paal

Posted by hovestott at 30 May 2011 18:13:52

I like this idea Zoltan. Nevertheless National Parks are (or should be) the centerpieces of nature appreciation in any country, thus tourism activities should promote nature appreciation. I would really like to see an initiative of bussiness of any tourism segment protecting their assets, in this case a national park. That could create an impact indeed. Chances are that it could work as in nature tourism you frequently see high level of commitment within operators. 

On another note i think local communities play a big role in this and it should. See a national park as a plague that hinders developement and all hell brakes loose. See it as an asset and development prospect and you see synergy everywhere. 

Posted by ecovassilis at 30 May 2011 18:13:57

OK, we have an idea of voluntary ignorance scheme for tour operator pushing for good NP management.

What if we try to have an education element for clients? for instance a tour operator company will only allow client to book a tour / accommodation if they agree with sustainability principle. Somehow we should build an educational element into the booking process. Only a rough idea, which someone might want to develop further.

zoltan (pan parks)

zoltan (pan parks)

I am just out of a meeting with one of our destinations working for incresed sustainability at a destination level. Their destination is protected - and after that it became a Unesco World Heritage Site. They have slowly developed their tourism - and claims that a destination like theirs (rich cultural and natural heritage, 6.500 islands, several inhabited..) do need a visitor plan (where can people walk at what time of the year, how many etc. This have to be integrated in all cooperation with touroperators, the need for respecting this plan. The plan is of course based on carrying capacity of both natural and cultural heritage and gives a clear management of the visitors. I know quite advanced plans like tthis excists many olaces, but we have no developed and monitores system for such plans..

A visitor plan should (or is it already?) be integrated in the management plans for NP?

http://www.visitvega.com

INgunn, Norway

Definately a visitor plan should be integrated not only for the protection of the National Park but also to ensure quality visitor experience and make the most out of tourism revenue while keeping sustainable operations. Complex as it maybe its essential and since people leave in the NP should have the consensus of the local community and work for mutual benefit. 

Questions

Which national parks exist inside or near cities?

Which cities do a good work in promoting and educating locals and visitors about national parks?

How Web 2.0 savvy are park managers? Are they using Twitter or Flickr in a professional capacity?