The aim of the project is to create a joint methodology for the training of tourism stakeholders operating in European Protected Nature Areas, with a focus on Nordic-Baltic region. Big part of the Protected Areas and their managing institutions have been united under the EUROPARC Federation – biggest network of Protected Areas in Europe. One of the most effective tools worked out by EUROPARC Federation is the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas which is recognised internationally as a model for sustainable tourism management. All the Protected Areas involved in this project have also been rewarded by the Charter for their efforts towards managing their destinations in a more sustainable way. Although a lot has been done by the EUROPARC Federation and its members within the Charter network to promote joint approach in all aspects, kostly these activities are still carried out on individual basis, on local or national level. Bringing together stakeholders and their knowledge and experience and creating a tailor-made knowledge base and a common plan for the future, would make a major contribution to achieving sustainability goals.
The main result of the project is the development of a joint methodology for training tourism stakeholders who work and operate in and near European Protected Nature Areas, especially in the Nordic-Baltic region. It will be a well-structured knowledge base on the responsible use of natural resources, gathering the experience of all project partners and good practice examples. The methodology will cover the main topics related to sustainable tourism in Protected Areas. It will be freely available for anyone online and will comprise ready-to-use training programmes for main groups of tourism stakeholders such as accommodation owners, tour guides, activity providers. The programmes will include various topics, presentations, links, materials, etc.