Presentation about Ecotourism in Estonia for tourism students studying at the University of Applied Sciences HTW Chur of Switzerland

1. Ecotourism in Estonia
7 of June 2010
Aivar Ruukel

2. - Organization
- Quality Label
- Products
- Marketing
- Collaboration

3. Estonia on the map

4. Soomaa -
Capital of
Estonian
Wilderness

5. Estonian Ecotourism Association
●
Non-governmental, non-profit, membership organization
●
Since 1996
●
Our mission – promote development of ecotourism
●
Our activities
− Seminars, Trainings, Conferences, Fairs
− Plans, strategies, action plans at national, regional and
local levels
− Ecotourism labelling process

6. Estonian Ecotourism Quality Label
●
Established in 2000
●
Renewed in 2006
●
„Sister-label“ for
Natures Best label of
Swedish Ecotourism

7. Quality Labels Criterias
●
Criterias:
1. Respect carrying capacity
2. Support local economy
3. Environmental business practice
4. Support conservation of nature and culture
5. Responsibility, education and respect
6. Safety and quality

8. Why labelling?
●
makes it easier for customer to
find you
●
makes it easier for you to reach
your customers
●
answers important questions
about your way of operating
●
becomes an image and
marketing tool
●
creates a network of ecotourism
operators

9. What can be labelled?
• “Estonia – the Natural Way” is
a product label for nature and
culture tourism
• Operators/providers are not
labeled
• Both products and operators
should meet criterias
• Labeled product allways belong
to approved ecotourism
operator
• There is no need for operator to
label all his/her products

10. Who is labelling?
EHE-label certification board consist of :
– Estonaina Ecotourism Association
– Estonian Rural Tourism
– Estonian Tourist Board
– Estonian Fund for Nature
– Village Association Kodukant

11. 1. Respect the limitations of the destination –
minimize negative impact on nature and culture

12. 2. Support the local economy

13. 3. Make all operations environmentally
sustainable

14. 4. Active contribution to conservation

15. 5. Promote the joy of discovery, knowledge and
respect

16. 6. Quality and safety all the way through

17. Ecotourism Cluster
● Since 2008
● 15 local businesses
● Quality
● Trainings
● Study visits
● Joint marketing
● Sharing resources
● ...

18. Sea Kayaking

19. Canoeing on Rivers
Sea Kayaking

20. Seal Watch Tours

21. Historic Ships – Peipsi Barge

22. Historic Ships – Võrtsjärv Kale

23. Dugout-Canoe Building

24. Brown Bear Photography
Photo Arne Ader

25. Beaver Safari

26. Wildlife
Tracking

27. Snow shoeing

28. Bog Walking

29. Botanical Tours

30. Trip Skating on the Sea Ice

31. Kick-spark trips on
frozen rivers

32. Using Web 2.0
• Social Media Marketing
• Networking in Groups
• Collaborative Content Creation
• Conversation Marketing Online

33. Sharing Travel Photos and Emotions
Flickr Group - Ecotourism Estonia

34. Sharing Videos and Experiences
Youtube Group - Ecotourism Estonia

35. Estonian Ecotourism Fan Group on Facebook
- sharing information and content

36. Twitter – Targeted Conversations Online

37. Wikis

38. European Conference 2010

39. TIES

40. Estonian University of Life Sciences

41. Thank You!