Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland – Sustainable nature tourism

Metsähallitus P&WF aims to promote sustainable tourism in protected areas, wilderness areas and sites in special conservation programmes in cooperation with other interest groups, without jeopardizing the protection goals. In 2004, Metsähallitus P&WF implemented a specific set of principles for sustainable tourism in protected areas, wilderness areas and sites in special conservation programmes. These principles are implemented at local and company level. The principles may be adapted to local conditions and followed in different ways by different organisations. The principles of sustainable tourism in protected areas, wilderness areas and sites in special conservation programmes have been updated in 2016 in cooperation with UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland and they are as follows: We promote sustainable tourism. In order to achieve this goal, we cooperate to: • Support the preservation of valuable features at the sites and promote their protection • Minimise the load on the environment • Strengthen local aspects • Promote use of the sites to increase health and well-being • Promote growth and job creation in the local economy • Communicate together the values and services of the site At local level, these principles are used as a basis for sustainable tourism development strategy. The sustainable tourism development strategy is designed to assist area planners and entrepreneurs. The sustainable tourism development strategy defines how the area can be used in tourism and highlights what are the future development needs. To follow-up how the principles of sustainable tourism have been fulfilled, Metsähallitus P&WF has developed a set of indicators based on The Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC). The LAC planning system was developed in the USA over a period of years in the early 1980s to address the problems of managing recreational use in national protected areas. The indicators and limits are set at local level and Metsähallitus P&WF has planned preventive measures to avoid exceeding the LAC. At company level, Metsähallitus P&WF enters into written agreements with companies, which operate in the areas managed by Metsähallitus P&WF, to define acceptable and sustainable practices. The principles of sustainable tourism form the basis of these agreements. Adjacent to the agreements, Metsähallitus P&WF provides a practical guide for companies on how to implement the principles in practice. Metsähallitus P&WF collects feedback annually from companies about how they perceive sustainability has developed. Additionally, Metsähallitus P&WF cooperates with companies in product development and participates in different events. Metsähallitus P&WF also trains local guides in guiding services in protected areas. In addition to corporate cooperation, Metsähallitus P&WF also actively raises awareness on ecosystems. Metsähallitus P&WF promotes volunteer work combined with an outdoors holiday. For example, during sheep herding weeks, volunteer workers can learn how to take care of sheep and simultaneously enjoy the picturesque landscapes surrounding the beautiful farms located in the national parks and protected areas. The sheep on the other hand, keep meadows and heritage landscapes open protecting their traditional flora and fauna. Metsähallitus P&WF also collects visitation numbers of the most popular state-owned protected areas and hiking areas under its administration. Based on the data collection, the financial value of visitor spending for local economy and for public health is also evaluated. Success Factors National level coordination of the protected areas by Metsähallitus P&WF has enabled nationwide implementation of the principles of sustainable tourism, agreements with companies and follow-up studies. Novelty Metsähallitus P&WF has been a global level forerunner in creating the principles of sustainable tourism and implementing them through agreements with companies since 2004. Sustainability Impacts In the beginning of 2016, there were around 520 cooperation agreements between Metsähallitus P&WF and companies involved. The contracts have resulted in better overview of and control over company activities in protected areas. Mutual benefits have arisen from cooperation in marketing and communication activities. Local economies benefit from funds granted by the Finnish government for national parks and hiking areas. It has been estimated that these funds return to society many-folded through local entrepreneurship and jobs. In 2015, the total number of visits in national parks, national hiking areas and some other protected recreational areas was nearly 4 million. Solely in the 39 national parks, the total income and job impacts were 141,5 million euros and about 1 400 jobs (full-time equivalent) and for all the 6 hiking areas 12,2 million euros and about 131 jobs (FTE) in 2015. The biggest local economic impacts can be seen in tourism centres where the visitors stay for a longer period and the supply of tourism services is larger. In 2013, the impact of visiting national parks and other state-owned protected areas on the social, psychological and physical well-being benefits perceived by visitors were studied for the first time in Finland. Park visits were found to improve the mood and enhance the psychological well-being in particular. They were also perceived to help recovery from stress. The input-output ratio of the national parks is good. National parks return 10 euros to the local economies for every euro invested by the Finnish taxpayer. The self-defined value of health benefits experienced by all Finnish national park visitors in 2013 has been calculated in Metsähallitus reports at 226 million euros in total. Challenges and potential for further development While implementing the principles of sustainable tourism and agreements in 2004, Metsähallitus P&WF encountered some resistance from companies. Some of the companies perceived that it is their right to use the Metsähallitus P&WF facilities, such as campsites, compost toilets, wells and campfire sites in protected areas free of charge. Over the years, the companies have understood the mutual benefits of cooperation. Also Metsähallitus P&WF has changed its practices to a more cooperative way. However, few companies still exist that use the Metsähallitus P&WF facilities free of charge thinking that it is part of their every-man's right. Finland's legal concept of everyman's right gives everyone the chance to enjoy the Finnish countryside with few restrictions. Metsähallitus P&WF found that the first set of indicators for evaluating the sustainability of nature tourism were too complex and many of them did not necessarily measure the effects of tourism. Hence, after couple of years of usage, Metsähallitus P&WF simplified the indicators and nowadays they are formulated area specifically in the sustainable tourism development strategies. Potentials for development have also been identified to improve the cost-effectiveness and lead-times of administering the agreements with companies. Metsähallitus P&WF has recently renewed the principles of sustainable tourism and widened the scope from national parks, nature sites and historical sites to also include UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland. Contact person for more information: Joel Erkkonen, joel.erkkonen@metsa.fi