What is PAN Parks?
PAN (Protected Area Network) Parks is a operational certification system aiming to improve nature protection by sustainable tourism development.
• A European network of wilderness protected areas
• widely recognised as Europe’s elite nature sites
• supported by a reliable trademark for conservation and sustainable tourism based on independent verification.
Photo: Andrei Blumer
Why PAN Parks?
Europe’s national parks are under threat
• Parks are under-valued and suffer poor protection due to logging, hunting and road building
• Parks lack sufficient political and community support
• No awareness = No worries = No action
Photo: Joep van de Vlasakker
Why PAN Parks?
Sustainable tourism offers an opportunity to Benefit beyond the Park Boundaries:
• Add economic value to park conservation
• Build partnerships between relevant stakeholders
• Build awareness, pride and a sense of ownership in a park
• Partake in a growing economic sector: 8% European growth rate
Photo: Ryszard Nater
PAN Parks Principles, Criteria and Indicators
New standards for conservation and sustainable development
• PAN Parks must meet 5 comprehensive principles
• Principles allow for objective, independent verification and transparency
• Backbone of the initiative
• A framework for partnerships
Photo: CBNP
PAN Parks Principles, Criteria and Indicators
A blueprint for greening Europe
• Principle 1:Rich Natural Heritage
• Principle 2:Nature Management
• Principle 3:Visitor Management
• Principle 4:Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy
• Principle 5:Partnerships
Photo: Peter Oleksak
Certification based on independent verification
What is the process?
• Area submits an application based on Principles 1-3
• PAN Parks Foundation recommends verification, independent verifiers travel to the area
• After approval, PAN Park sets up local group to work on Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy
• Local partners get certified
Photo: Karin Eriksson
PRINCIPLE 1 and 2: Nature & management
Natural ecological process and biodiversity
• Areas must have a management plan
• Natural ecological values must be maintained
• Zoning system must ensure protection of nature conservation values
• Management must pay special attention to endangered / endemic species
Photo: PAN Parks
Criteria & Indicators
Conservation management indicators
• Relevant conservation authority approves management plan
• Minimum size 20.000 hectares
• Monitor effects of the management’s actions systematically
• List all allowed human activities within each zone
• Ban all extractive use in the core zone
Photo: Ryszard Nater
PRINCIPLE 3: Visitor management
Visitor management: a safeguard for natural values
• Areas must have a visitor management plan
• Visitors are offered a wide range of high quality activities
• Visitor management must create understanding for conservation goals
• Training programmes are organised for protected area staff
Photo: Andrei Blumer
PRINCIPLE 4: Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy (STDS)
Combining nature conservation and sustainable tourism
• Area must have sufficient carrying capacity for sustainable tourism development
• All relevant stakeholders to form local PAN Parks group
• Local group to implement and monitor STDS
• Tourism development must follow ecological and socio-economic criteria
Photo: David Weaver
PRINCIPLE 5: Partnerships
Business partners who join:
• Follow national legislation
• Support verified PAN Park and its management goals
• Participate in the implementation of STDS
• Contribute to the quality improvement of the region’s tourism offer
Photo: PAN Parks
PAN Parks feasts
What have we done so far? (1)
• Self-assessment by 18 PAs in 15 European countries
• PAN Parks Principles and Criteria endorsed
• Verification Manual developed (refined based on ‘in the field experience’)
• Small Grants Fund – support 3 PAs in verification
Photo: Ryszard Nater
PAN Parks feasts
What have done so far? (2)
• Bieszczady (Poland), Fulufjallet (Sweden) and Oulanka (Finland) National Park certified
• Tourism Manual developed to assist parks in tourism strategy development
• 1st international partner (PAN Parks Accomodations BV)
• Professional quarterly magazine (PAN Parks Courier) and website (www.panparks.org)
Photo: Hannu Hautala
PAN Parks in 2003
What is ahead of us?
• Verification of 1 protected area
• 3rd PAN Parks Conference
• Evaluation of visibility toolkit
• Website promotion
• Agreement with international tourism companies
• Lots and lots more
Photo: Paavo Hamunen