Improving baseline knowledge among tourism stakeholders in Protected Nature Areas for more sustainable tourism in Nordic – Baltic region

<< Background >>The Project was driven by the need to take action to protect healthy ecosystems in response to current environmental challenges. Although sustainability features in most modern curricula — both formal and non-formal — Project Partners have observed that significant knowledge gaps remain when it comes to practical implementation in tourism sector.Thus, this Project focuses on addressing the following knowledge gaps related to sustainable tourism in Protected Areas:- overall knowledge on Protected Areas – the aim of their establishment, main nature values, reasons behind restrictions, legislation etc.- improving sustainability in tourism infrastructure – guesthouses, cafes, activity centers, etc.- ways of improving sustainability in outdoor nature tourism activities – hiking, canoeing, bog-shoeing, etc.- enhancing interpretation skills to increase added value to any tourism offer in Protected Areas.- strengthening cooperation among stakeholders to balance interests in nature tourism - above all, there was a need for a more unified, international approach to support Protected Area professionals in engaging with tourism stakeholders effectively.<< Objectives >>The main aim of the Project was to take a new step towards increased sustainability by creating a joint methodology for training tourism stakeholders operating in the most sensitive, demanding and challenging spots in the European part of our planet – Protected Nature Areas; with a focus on the Nordic-Baltic region. This goal was pursued by bringing together the existing knowledge and experience of Project Partners with national and international test trainings and events, involving learners —tourism stakeholders — directly, to ensure maximum alignment with their needs as well as the applicability and long-term impact of the results.Additionally, the Project hosted the first European Charter for Sustainable Tourism Stakeholder Forum within the EUROPARC Nordic–Baltic Section, creating a platform for future cooperation and exchange.All these efforts were consolidated into a joint training methodology aimed at supporting Protected Area professionals and tourism stakeholders in working more effectively together for sustainable nature tourism development.<< Implementation >>The main activity of the Project was the development of a joint methodology for training tourism stakeholders in and around Protected Areas. This was achieved by combining the previous knowledge and experience of Project Partners with national and international test trainings and events, involving learners — tourism stakeholders — directly, to ensure maximum alignment with their needs as well as the applicability and long-term impact of the results. Sustainability test-trainings for tourism stakeholders offering services in and around the Protected Areas involved in the project included:-Overall knowledge about Protected Areas-International training on offering tourism services in buildings (e.g., guesthouses, cafes, activity centers)-International training on providing outdoor activities as tourism services-International training for local guides and destination managersDissemination of the knowledge acquired through international trainings to stakeholders at the local level.The first European Charter for Sustainable Tourism Stakeholder Forum within the EUROPARC Nordic–Baltic Section.Creation of learning materials and compilation of a joint methodology for training tourism stakeholders in and around Protected Areas.<< Results >>Sustainability test-trainings for tourism stakeholders offering their services in and around Protected Areas involved in project:- Overall knowledge on Protected Areas– the aim of their establishment, main nature values, reasons behind restrictions, legislation etc.-International training for offering tourism services in buildings (guesthouses, cafes, activity centers).-International training for offering outdoor activities as tourism services.-International training for local guides and destination managers.Learning materials of abovementioned topics such as presentations, videos, texts, links to useful resources.Dissemination of the knowledge acquired through international trainings to stakeholders at the local level.First European Charter for Sustainable Tourism stakeholder forum in EUROPARC Nordic – Baltic Section.Joint methodology for training tourism stakeholders in and around Protected Areas.