In order to support European protected areas in developing sustainable tourism, the ‘European Charter for Sustainable Tourism’ was developed by the EUROPARC Federation. The Charter is a management instrument that supports protected areas in designing sustainable tourist activities. It aims to protect the natural and cultural heritage of the areas and to shape development of tourism in the interests of the environment, local population, tour companies and visitors. Protected areas that want to accede to the Charter have to implement various measures. These include, for example, initiation of network forum and development of a strategy and an action plan involving all partners including businesses. The second part of the Charter is concerned with supporting and designating partner businesses from the protected areas. These businesses share the views of the Charter and practise and continue to develop sustainable tourism in their operations. The third part of the Charter recognises sustainable tour operators in the region. These businesses express their
On the ‘experience tour with fisherman and estate chef on Schaalsee’ in the German Nature Park Lauenburgische Seen, guests accompany a fisherman while he fishes, prepare the fish with an estate chef and, at the same time, learn about conservation, sustainable use and regional cuisine.
agreement with the objectives of the Charter and the protected areas, especially through raising awareness among their customers, i.e. visitors to the protected areas, about natural and environmental issues in the areas visited. Protected areas from 19 countries have so far signed up to the Charter. Spain, Italy, France and the UK are particularly active. Activities for developing sustainable tourism in Regional Nature Parks give visitors attractive opportunities to experience nature, landscape and regional culture in an attractive way. Offers are sustainable and high-quality. Visitors receive information about the Regional Nature Park and its objectives and regional added value supports job opportunities and quality of life in the region.
The Swiss Parks Innotour Project supported Nature Parks in the development of tourist offers that made the park’s special landscape, natural and cultural features into multi-sensory experiences for guests, and contribute to regional added value.
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