European Destination of Excellence

"Tourism and protected areas"

Estonian destination of Excellence award

SOOMAA
Land of Bogs National Park

International Jury Meeting

May 26th 2009
The Flower Pavillion
Pirita tee 26, Tallinn
Soomaa – Land of Peat-Bogs
Where is Soomaa?
- Values of Soomaa
- STDS
- Products & Services
Nature values – reasons
why to visit Soomaa:
• Large untouched mires,
among them the largest
raised bog in Estonia –
Kuresoo;
• Naturally meandering rivers;
• Regular floods on rivers;
• Floodplain and swamp
forests;
• Floodplain meadows;
• Vascular plants orchids, wild
cladiolus, Siberian Iris;
• Eagles, woodpeckers, owls,
great snipe and corn crake.
• Elk, wild boar, beaver and all
large carnivores;
Large untouched bogs
Naturally meandering rivers
Regular floods
Five Seasons – More Reasons
Fifth Season
Floodplain Meadows
Soomaa is RAMSAR and
Importand Bird Area
Nominated for UNESCO
World Heritage list
Home for big
carnivores
Soomaa -
Capital of
Estonian
Wilderness
 Sustainable
Tourism Strategy
Vision
Soomaa NP that belongs to
the network of European
wilderness areas is the most
popular wilderness tourism
destination of the Baltic’s.
Vision Its tourism products base on
wilderness experience,
uniqueness of Soomaa, cultural
heritage and
quality service that are offered
by the local tourism
entrepreneurs and
stakeholders.
1.Ecological aim – tourism
supports the nature
conservation objectives of the
Soomaa NP
2.Economical aim – tourism
supports local livelihood with
creation of jobs and
entrepreneurships
3.Social aim – tourism supports
the welfare of local community
and preservation of local way of
life
4.Tourism development aim –
Soomaa tourism products and
services have strong quality and
the tourism entrepreneurs are
competitive and sustainable.
 Zoning for Sustainable Tourism
• National park
territory (39640 ha)
• Other protected areas
in the region (10770 ha)
• Close surroundings of
Soomaa NP (~52240 ha)
• Further surroundings of
Soomaa NP (~118300)
Zoning for Sustainable Tourism
 Partners in Collaboration
• Board of Soomaa -Local PANPark Group
• Enviromental Board
• State Forest Center
• Green Riverland
• Local Authorities
• Friends of Soomaa
• Soomaa Tourism Association
• Village Groups
Local Food
Target Groups of Soomaa
Marketing Strategy and Plan
2010 - 2012

Людмила Руукел
Контакты: +3725029793
mila@soomaa.com
Tourism products -
Discover Villages of Soomaa
Dugout-Canoe Building
Tourism products -
Dugout-Canoe Trips
on Ancient Waterway
18.- 27. of June 2009
Song Festival Fire
carried from Tartu through
Pärnu to Tallinn
by old boats
Tourism products -
Bogshoeing – a True Wilderness
Experience
Bogshoeing in combination with
Bogwalking on wooden paths
Co-operating with Travel Trade
Kick-spark trips on
frozen rivers
Cross-country skiing trips
on frozen Bogs
Wildlife
Tracking
Beaver Safaries
 Thank You!
Questions please!