Sustainable tourism, for today, for tomorrow
Protected natural areas such as natural parks (regional or national), are currently perceived as being destinations with high environmental quality.
Thanks to the diversity of landscapes and the quality of the heritage, tourism is an important vehicle for the natural parks to implement their charters.
The opportunities for developing the rural environment and the saturation of certain destinations still remain a threat for these fragile territories. To save their attractions, the Parks are committed to economically sensible tourism which respects and preserves natural, cultural and social resources. This is the basis for permanent tourist activity that meets the needs of residents and tourists seeking a high-quality environment.
The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in protected areas
Key dates:
1987: Brundtland Report.
1992: Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
1993: "Loving them to death?" report.
1999: Official presentation of the Charter.
Although the idea and the need for sustainable tourism have been recognised for a number of years, and there are many examples of best practices in this field, the ever-growing challenges which protected areas have to face have shown the necessity, which has received concrete expression in a true European commitment through implementing a Charter.
On a more global scale, the need for sustainable development was highlighted by the creation of the Agenda 21 programme during the United Nations conference on development and the environment in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
In 1995, EUROPARC took the initiative to implement the European Charter for Sustainable Development in Protected Areas, with a project financed by the LIFE programme of the European Union. This project was implemented by the Federation of Regional Natural Parks of France under the name of EUROPARC.
The Charter requires signatories to implement a local strategy for "sustainable tourism" defined as: "Any form of development, planning or tourist activity that respects and preserves natural, cultural and social resources in the long term and contributes in a positive, equitable manner to the economic development and fulfilment of the individuals who live, work or visit the protected areas".
A vision defined through twelve principles:
This charter deals with the principles of sustainable development applied to tourism in protected areas broken down into three fields –environmental, socio-cultural and economic– with the global strategy of securing the involvement of all players in the tourism industry in the context of multiple partnerships.
To recognise that European parks are part of our heritage, and that they must be preserved for present and future generations.
To develop and manage tourism in a sustainable manner considering the needs of the environment, residents, tour operators and visitors.
To ensure the participation of all parties affected directly by tourism.
To draw up and implement a strategy and an action plan for sustainable tourism.
To offer visitors a high-quality experience during their visit.
To create specific products for tourists to discover the protected area.
Effectively to inform visitors on the specific value of the area.
To spread awareness of the protected area among tour operators.
To make sure tourism does not affect the quality of life of the residents.
To protect and maximise the value of the natural and cultural heritage, for and by means of tourism.
To provide benefits to the local economy through tourism.
To manage tourist flows so as to reduce negative impact.
A framework document structured with three constituents:
The first, applicable to the administrators of the protected areas, commits willing natural parks to a five-year strategy and action programme through application of these principles. The certificate awarded by EUROPARC* is therefore valid for 5 years.
The second, applicable to willing tourist companies in the territory commits them to a three-year strategy and action plan.
The third is applicable to tour operators or bus operators which organise trips in the territory of the Park without necessarily living there. The conditions for this third category of tourist-industry players to sign the charter have not yet been specified.
Advantages for the protected area:
Specific implementation of the concept of sustainable development.
A step towards progress in the entire territory.
Creating a structure of preferred tourist-industry partners of the Cévennes National Park, which become "ambassadors" for Park values towards the visitors.
A positive image for the partners involved, given that this process is supervised on a European level.
Advantages for tourist companies:
To be distinguished on a European level and to ensure recognition of their commitment, to use the Park logo and image.
To form part of a network and benefit from its dynamics, to share and capitalise on experience by means of meetings, exchanges and collective training sessions.
To benefit from customised technical and financial support in the context of the development process, to have a global approach to their companies.
To improve the quality of their offer: by classifying it, increasing participation in the organisation of the territory, communicating with the Park.
To develop new commercial opportunities: targeting customers, observing their progress, developing low-season offers, working with partners to assemble products.
To rationalise their expenses: by optimising the management of water and power, adopting environmental management techniques.
The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism and the Natural Parks of the Massif Central
Of the ten Natural Parks of the Massif Central, the following have signed the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in protected areas:
• Cévennes National Park - Pilot park (2003)
• Pilat Regional Natural Park (2004)
• Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park (2005)
The application of Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park is currently being assessed (assessment on the field on 20 and 21 April 2008).
The following are also candidates for 2008: Volcans d'Auvergne Regional Natural Park and Morvan Regional Natural Park.
