European CharterNet ended successfully

Sustainable tourism development in protected areas: EUROPARC project ends with very good results

After 27 months of developing, discussing and implementing a wide range of activities, the EUROPARC project “European CharterNet”, supported by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety was successfully concluded end of September 2009. Strengthening and further developing the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas and its related Charter Network of around 150 European Charter Areas, Charter Candidates and other interested protected areas and organisation was the main aim of the project.

Linking the Charter to international guideline, establishing new and fostering old partnerships and raising the Charter’s profile are some of the project’s results. The project, which started in July 2007, was coordinated by the EUROPARC Federation with the support of a project working group representing sustainable tourism and protected area experts from seven European countries. The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas was at the heart of the project.

Tourism, Biodiversity & “Magic numbers”

The European Charter was proven to be an excellent and practical tool to help delivering the CBD-Guidelines for Biodiversity and Tourism Development on the protected area level. The particular strength of the Charter is that it provides decision makers already with a “ready to go” tool for the implementation. Tried and tested over 10 years the European Charter has been adopted by most Western European countries as a mechanism to bring together the previously suspicious tourism industry and environmentalists. These statements, result of a comparative analysis between the two instruments, have also been compiled in the brochure “Joining Forces” showcasing the extensive work that has been done so far by a wide range of European protected areas to protect and enhance biodiversity. It features 25 case studies from the Charter Areas showing the incredible range of well-structured activities the implementation of the European Charter has led to. Working together  towards a common goal to manage the precious natural resources and landscapes that sustain the live hoods of small tourism related businesses in and around protected areas, 61 Million visitors are made to  Charter protected areas with many more seeking Charter status. This more sustainable investment injects 55 Million Euros into these rural economies over 3 years. At the same time the Charter areas cover 4,6 Mio ha including 50% of Natura2000 sites where the Charter helps making the link between tourism and the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the regions as well as the local people. At the “Expo of Diversity” that was held in Bonn during the 9^th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity and during and Information seminar in Brussels, these results were communicated to a wider public.

Enlarging and strengthening the Network

Eastern- and Central Europe countries are home to protected areas safeguarding partly unspoiled nature and wilderness areas. With the help of the European CharterNet project, two Charter partnerships were established between an already existing Charter Area and a protected area in Slovakia and Romania. Two-way study visits enabled the protected areas to receive expert knowledge in the field of sustainable tourism and help them to start the Charter process, adapted to the local conditions. Another step towards enlarging the Charter Network to new countries was done with the Information Seminar held in Pezinok (SK) with 30 participants from nine Eastern- and Central European countries. The seminar was not only an excellent platform to present the Charter but also for participants with similar backgrounds and realities to discuss sustainable tourism development amongst them and establish contacts. Networking, sharing experience and knowledge is one of the main aims of the European Charter of Sustainable Tourism. Besides the establishment of new partnerships, old ones have been fostered throughout the project in the framework of various Charter Network Meetings.

Do “good”… and talk about it!

A range of communication materials – Charter flyer, Charter roll-ups, Charter brochure and website - developed in the course of the project helped to disseminate the project results and to raise the profile of the Charter for decision makers on the local and national level. Especially the new designed and revised Charter website gave the European Charter more visibility and accessibility. Different press releases, presentations at national and international events ensured a constant information of the public about the ongoing project and its results.

Find out more (final report, documents, photos etc)