Nine tourism businesses recieved sustainable tourism certificate

EUROPARC Federation has awarded Matsalu, Lahemaa and Soomaa National Park with a quality label, which recognizes the development of sustainable tourism. Environmental Board, in turn, recognized nine tourism companies operating in these regions. This time, the following received recognition: Aru Manor, Valgejõe Veinivilla, Aidahotel and Wanderlust Matkad from Lahemaa, Klaara-Manni Holiday Centre from Soomaa, and Seikluspartner, Tänava tourism farm, Voosemetsa tourism farm and Pivarootsi Windmill & Holiday Village from Matsalu.

Nele Sõber, Project Manager of the Environmental Board, expressed her pleasure that cooperation in the field of sustainable tourism is working. “To receive recognition, a tourism company must prepare a three-year action plan, from energy use to nature conservation. Protected areas, especially our national parks, are important tourism destinations. In cooperation with partners, we preserve the natural and cultural values ​​of protected areas and introduce them to our guests in a way that benefits local residents and entrepreneurs,” said Nele Sõber.

Responsible tourism and biodiversity protection must be balanced. Sõber specified that while years ago sustainable tourism was more of a niche service, today it is the norm. “The concluded goodwill agreement is a sign that a more aware entrepreneur is committed to ensuring the same values. Thanks to this process, our visitors are also more aware.”

Signe Ohakas, owner of the Wanderlust Matkad OÜ, added that their main clients are companies, organizations and their teams. “Today, sustainability is more important than ever before, and our clients want to know that we offer our services in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. That is why we also place great emphasis on environmental education on our trips: we explain why we do things the way we do and what should be avoided,” explained Ohakas.

EUROPARC federation has drawn up principles for sustainable tourism, the aim of which is to promote sustainable tourism in protected areas and their surrounding areas. Destinations and operators that have received this quality label form a pan-European community that helps to maintain the good quality of tourism and creates a common network between responsible destinations, their visitors and residents who care about their protected areas.

To date, almost 240 tourism operators, mainly from Southern Europe, have received the international sustainable tourism certificate. There are now 28 such companies in Estonia. The next round will be announced to operators in the autumn.