C. R. Jakobson Gymnasium Economical tourism in Viljandi county Kristjan Männigo Martti Kass

According to the World Tourism Organisa- tion (WTO) tourism means people travelling and being out of their daily environment on invocation, business or other purposes, their visit lasting not more than one year. Tourism is divided into: a) outgoing b) incoming c) domestic

Ecotourism Ecotourism, being defined by Estonian Organisation of Ecotourism, is responsible for travelling, what supports saving the nature and cultural heritage and welfare of local inhabi- tants. Ecotourism is a form of saving tourism  it is the tourism of high quality, with the purpose to increase travellers’ knowledge and cultural understanding. Ecotourism is more known as a nature-tourism.

There is no ecotourism without environmen- tally well-educated tourists.

Tourism in Viljandi County Viljandi County has beautiful nature, that’s why it is reasonable to use and show our fantastic nature to the tourists. This is one of the reasons why we have to keep our nature clean. Viljandi County is away from the trading ways. This is why we cant count on trade as a factor that attracts tourists.

Ecotourism in Viljandi County T ourists are interested in resting in nature trying not to change the nature. One purpose of tourism is to increase people’s knowledge about environment. I n Viljandi County it has been thought about it : study tours and different guided hikes are organised.

Our most important sights: Soomaa National Park Loodi Naturepark Lake Võrtsjärv Lake Viljandi and the town of Viljandi Lake Viljandi

Soomaa National Park is the biggest marsh- reservation area in Estonia. Soomaa National Park consists of four big marshes : *) Kikepera *) Kuresoo *) Valgeraba *) Öördi On the marshes one can see untouched nature, which is interesting to the scientists and tourists.

T here are many sightseeing possibilities in Soomaa: At first of course there is the beautiful nature. There are built plank path through swamps and watching towers for better viewing. The most known sightseeing are the lake Öördi and the plank paths to there and the plank path of Hüpassaare in the eastern of Soomaa. There are together low swamps and ancient dunes in Soomaa National Park. Besides nature there is a lot of famous culture people connected with Soomaa.

A Meadow Plank path

Cultural heritage in Soomaa 1) At the boundary of Soomaa in Ivaski village in Lubjassaare there was a childhood home of professor Johann Köler ( ) the founder of Estonian national art. The descendants of J.Köler establish a farm museum there. 2) In Tipu village on Pauna rent farm there was born Villem Reiman ( ) who later became a clergyman in Kolga-Jaani and a famous public figure. From Tipu village towards Kõpu there is Iia village where there is a small farm museum on Väike-Männiku farm.

3) Albert Kivikas ( ) was born near Suure-Jaani. His novel “Karuskoe” tells us about life near Soomaa and Suure-Jaani. Issue nature and names of novels mostly come from Vastemõisa and Suure-Kõpu. 4) Composer Mart Saar ( ) comes from Hüpassaare. Nowadays there is museum for him. Interesting cultural background brings tourists to Soomaa.

During spring floods the level of water in Soomaa may rise over five meters. The largest known flooded area (1931) covered 210 km 2.

We have to preserve the nature of Soomaa National Park for the future generations, that is why in Soomaa should be developed with ecotourism, what supports preserving heritage of nature and culture. And that will be done.

Nature park Loodi Nature park is situated in the south of Viljandi, the total protected area of which is 7800 ha. The nature park unites protection- and resting areas and single objects, that have earlier been separate protection areas.

Viljandi primeval valley(1) The park of Heimtali(4) Sinialliku(6) Loodi larchforest(8) Loodi Hell(11) Holstre landscape protection area(15) Nõmme sands(17) We recommend to see:

Võrtsjärv is the biggest inland lake in Estonia.. Tondisaar and Pähksaar are the only islands in the lake, where tourists can rest.On the shore of the lake there is Valma campground and Kivilõppe which tourists should visit. Võrtsjärv is rich in species of fish (35 different species). You can catch eel, pike, bream, perch.

Viljandi, town and lake There are several reasons, why to come to Viljandi:  Just for a vocation, to a rest. To get away from large cities to small (cosy) Viljandi.  To come to have a rest and see Viljandi’s charm a)Viljandi Museum- that is one of the oldest houses in Viljandi b)Ruins of the Order Castle- one of the most remarkable architectural monuments.– Viljandi castle was the biggest in all in the Old-Livonian. c)Suspension bridge and theatre “Ugala”- it symbolizes Viljandi.

Jaani church Suspension bridge Castle ruins Stairhill

Lake Viljandi – lake Viljandi and the soiler on it symbolizes Viljandi. There are many songs made of it. Also legends talk about it. Lake is used for swimming and you can also rent boats. The boatbridge building near the lake was a help factor for tourism. Both the tourists from Estonia and foreigners spend a lot of time on the beach of Viljandi. There is also a stadium near the lake, tenniscourts and other possibilities for sports

Problems It’s true, that there are also some problems: The lake’s rest and leisure center is not completely built. We need some places, where people can eat near the lake. The beach situation is not very good, because the green plants pollute the beach. We should clean the lake bottom.

The tourism competition ability of Viljandi county Viljandi county has many advantages over other countries: The variety of nature. Possibility for development of nature-tourism ( Loodi Nature park, Soomaa National Park and lake Võrtsjärv) The strong cultural heritage and history Situated near the markets( Via Baltica ) Good relationship between price and quality Here are few tourists. A peaceful place to relax. There are lot of possibilities for aquatic sports.

But on the other hand Viljandi county’s tourism is not good:  Viljadi county could use more advertisements in the market  Tourists should have more possibilities for different and more activity for children  The road’s need work  The buildings of the beachmare need of repairs  Not enough accommodation possibilities  Service structures lie unevenly

THANK YOU!! BSP 2000 BALTIC 21