Conference “Tourism in Protected Areas”, Estonia 14-16.09

Conference "Tourism in Protected Areas"

14th to 16th of September 2017 in Suure-Kõpu manor, Viljandi County, Estonia The goal of the conference is to get answers to the question how tourism can support local communities, nature, cultural heritage and diversity protection and to present best-practice examples of cooperation in protected areas. Day plan Thursday, 14^th of September 09:30-12:00 Excursion for visitors from abroad to the Visitors Centre of the Soomaa National Park and the beaver trail 12:00-12:30 Welcome coffee 12:30-13:00 Opening of the conference, greetings and introduction 13:00-13:30 Conference questions 13:30-14:00 Lunch 14:00-14.30 EUROPARC, network of Europe’s Protected Areas - Kaja Lotman 14:30-15:00 Role of Environmental Board in nature tourism today and tomorrow - Tarvo Roose, Keskkonnaamet 15:00-15:30 Why nature tourism in not developing? - Marika Mann, Estonian Nature Tours 15:30-16:00 Coffee break 16:00-16:30 How can sustainable tourism support local communities in the protected areas? - Dominika Zareba, Partnership Fund / Environmental Partnership Association, Poland and Central & Eastern Europe 16:30-17:00 Case study of Hossa National Park, Finland - Matti Tapaninen (english) 17:00-17:30 Case study: Nemunas Delta Regional Park - Monika Dobrovolskytė 17:30-17:45 Closing remarks 19:00-22:00 Dinner and evening program Friday, 15^th of September 10:00-10:30 Welcome coffee 10:30-13:30 Open Space discussion and summary 13:30-14:00 Lunch 14:00-14:30 Case study: Gauja National Park Tourism Cluster - Andris Klepers 14:30-15.00 Case study: Notranjska Regional Park, Slovenia - Ljoba Jenče 15:00-15:30 Protected areas and sustainable development in tourism policy of Estonia - Annika Anton, Ministry of Economic Affairs. 15:30-16:00 Closing remarks and introduction of the excursion program 16:00-16:30 Coffee break 16:30 Tour to Riisa bog renaturation area – Priit Voolaid, State Forest Department The Estonian presentations will be translated into English! Saturday, 16^th of September 10:00 Departure to different tours