The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas is a practical management tool that enables protected areas to develop tourism sustainably. The core element of the Charter is working in partnership with all relevant stakeholders to develop a common sustainable tourism strategy and an action plan on the basis of a thorough situation analysis. The aim of all Charter projects and activities is the protection of the natural and cultural heritage and the continuous improvement of tourism in the protected area in terms of the environment, local population and businesses as well as visitors. The Charter and the Charter Network is owned, managed and coordinated by the EUROPARC Federation representing more than 400 members in 36 countries.

Nature knows no boundaries and as such EUROPARC facilitates international co-operation in all aspects of protected area management to further and improve and conserve our shared natural inheritance. EUROPARC endeavours to exchange expertise, experience and best practise as well as collaborate with others to ensure the value and recognition of protected areas at the heart of Europe.

So far there where only very few protected areas in the Baltic Sea Region that worked with the Charter (i.e. Nature Park Insel Usedom, GER as well as Syöte and Koli National Parks, FIN). Parks & Benefits opened the door for a significantly higher number and a more systematic approach of implementing the Charter in the Baltic Sea Region.

What is the background of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas? What are the benefits? Check below or at www.european-charter.org

European Best Practises:

• European Charter Experiences
• The Charter: working in partnership
• The Charter: strategic approach
• The Charter: enhancing and protecting the natural and cultural heritage 1
• The Charter: enhancing and protecting the natural and cultural heritage 2
• The Charter: enhancing and protecting the natural and cultural heritage 3
• The Charter: enhancing and protecting the natural and cultural heritage 4
• The Charter: guaranteeing high quality nature experience 1
• The Charter: guaranteeing high quality nature experience 2
• The Charter: guaranteeing high quality nature experience 3
  
• The Charter: education and awareness raising
• The Charter: first hand capacity building
• The Charter: authentic and clear communication
• The Charter: local benefits and development
• The Charter: monitoring and managing impacts
• The Charter: linking business and biodiversity
• The Charter: process oriented
• The Charter: responding to climate change

A best practice guide on inspiring examples in sustainable tourism in protected areas has been published by the EUROPARC Federation offering new ideas to parks starting their work. The guide can be downloaded here.

The implementation of the European Charter for sustainable tourism in protected areas
is a central part of the objectives of the PARKS & BENEFITS project. Therefore, additional to a midterm evaluation of the project carried out in summer 2010 a final evaluation of the Charter processes at partner park level has been implemented. The results can be downloaded here (report, presentation).