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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 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 ( 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

Candidate and Prospective candidate PAN Parks 2001 support, preserve, enjoy Europe's wilderness!