1. Linking Tourism & Conservation -
LANGENESS | APRIL 21, 2017 | LT&C-WORKSHOP
Linking Tourism & Conservation -
HOW CAN THE TOURISM BUSINESS CONTRIBUTE?

2. Two Approaches
Existing:  National Park Partnership Programme New Proposal:  National Park Sponsorship Tourism sector supports National Park by active financial support
I would like to present you some ideas on two different aspects of „Linking Tourism and Conservation:
First the existing National Park Partnership Programme of our National Park Wadden Sea here in Schleswig-Holstein.
Then I will outline an idea of a further step in partnership for nature conservation.
Two informations are important in this context:
I am grateful to the National Park Authority to supply informations and graphics to this presentation. And:
I would like to point out, that the new proposal in the second part of my contributiuon is solely my personal opinion. It is not reconciled with anyone.

3. National Park Partnership
… are regional businesses with commitment for nature conservation and sustainability
… fulfill specific criteria (high service quality, environment, information)
… provide regional products and a broad portfolio of attractive nature experience offers
… cooperate with the National Park authority and within the network
… are best practice examples for sustainable tourism
In 2003, the NP authority started a cooperation with a few regional accomodation enterprises and shipping companies. This public private partnership was then further developed continuously and extended to currently 150 partners in 13 categories.
The National Park Partner programme fits perfectly well into the new tourism strategy of Schleswig-Holstein, which puts a focus on sustainability and on Nature tourists as one of the main target groups.
NP Partners identify themselves with the aims of the National Parks and are committed to nature conservation which makes them competent ambassadors for the NP idea
they fulfil specific criteria which refer to service quality and environmental protection
they offer regional products and nature experience
they cooperate with the National Park authority and within the growing network of partners, create new and attractive offers and holiday packages
are pioneers and best practise examples for sustainable tourism

4. Benefits for National Park Partners
Positioning as a National Park- and environmental friendly business by using the logo -> competetive advantage
Direct contact to National Park Administration
Seminars and trainings for partners and their employees
Network of partners, e.g. joint efforts, offers and projects
Representation on a professional website, facebook and at trade and road shows, exhibitions etc.
Access to an online data base with high quality pictures for own use
Flyer and brochures of National Park Partner will be displayed in national park visitor centers
Comprehensive NP information material available, e.g. info-plates, table sets, marketing materials, flyer, brochures, pins, flags
Use of the Wadden Sea World Heritage logo is possible if appropriate guidelines are respected

5. Benefits for National Park and nature conservation
National Park partners
… are ambassadors of the National Park idea
… inform about the National Park in a friendly and qualified way
… collaborate with each other and with the National Park
… provide certified high quality (good service, regionally integrated, environmental care, competent visitor information)
… exemplify and promote a sustainable and environmental friendly behavior  important multipliers and role models
… give important support in political debates on conservation topics (e.g. in conflict situations)
… take part in National Park +World Heritage activities/events  additional work and staff resources for National Park
… Botschafter der Nationalpark-Idee
… sind freundlicher und kompetenter Berater in Sachen Nationalpark
… wirtschaften nachhaltig
… arbeiten eng miteinander und mit dem Nationalpark zusammen
… bieten geprüfte Qualität (Service, Regionalbezug und Umweltschutz)
… sind Viabono-zertifiziert (Beherbergung, Gastronomie, Reiseveranstalter, Kommunen)

6. National Park Sponsorship Why should business companies, building their economic success substantially on the utilisation and the marketing of unique nature, conserved as National Parks, not participate financially in the protection of what is the basis for their income ?
Apart from the existing activities around the national Park Partnership Programme,
and taking serious the idea of “Linking Tourism and Conservation”
I raise the question:
“Why should business companies, building their economic success substantially on the utilisation and the marketing of unique nature,
conserved as National Parks, not participate financially in the protection of what is the basis for their income ?”

7. Of course, sponsorship models must not dismiss governments from their primary responsibility for nature conservation. But in the light of constant shortage of budgets additional private support seems indispensable.
I am fully aware, that such an approach must not question the duty of governments to guarantee the working capacity of their nature conservation authorities.
On the other hand – it is undisputable, that constant budget shortages occur worldwide.
And it must be allowed to discuss, whether those, who derive an often sizeable income from the marketing of what is conserved by National Parks, can not contribute to their conservation –
even and in particular financially.
LKN-SH | Nationalparkverwaltung | Nationalpark-Partnerschaft |

8. Facing all the well known problems with such a proposal, the model of “rounding up” could be an appropriate first step for hotels, restaurants, or any other company, willing to cooperate.  “Our guests support the National Park by rounding up their bill to the next full Euro. Please indicate, if you disagree.”
We know, that companies – particularly small businesses – incessantly affirm, that they can not afford any extra burden.
Although I am personally convinced, that this is half the truth at best, it will be wise to look for strategies, which are least inadmissible for the local economy.
To my impression, this could be the model of “rounding up”.
If Hotels, Restaurants, shipping companies and others would inform their guests, that they follow the strategy of “rounding up”, they could invite all tourist to become part of a community –
sharing the intention to conserve, what they love and use.
For example at reception desks it could be displayed, that participating companies support the National Park by rounding up their bills to the next full Euro.
That limits the extra burden for the guest to a negligible quantity of max. 99 cent and should therefore be acceptable.
The number of guests on the other hand can keep the model interesting for the nature conservation authorities.
Finally the earmarking of those funds will be essential – it must of course be guaranteed, that the new funds do not drain away in the general budget.
This however can easily be organized, for instance through a foundation with appropriate charter or strict appropriation clauses, when the money is channeled into the running budget.
LKN-SH | Nationalparkverwaltung | Nationalpark-Partnerschaft |

9. World Heritage Business Cooperation Programme
It will be essential for the coming concept, that
minimum standards are compulsory
name, brand, logo etc. are protected as registered trademarks,
trademark is owned by the Trilateral Cooperation
use of trademark is licensed by the owner
reasonable license fees are demanded and collected in a (Trilateral!) World Heritage Fund
Some final remarks concerning the marketing of the World Heritage Site:
A World Heritage Business Cooperation Programme has yet to be developed,
All stakeholders should be invited to engage with the overall aim of the WH status in protecting the OUV
The concept shall give opportunities to enhance the protection of the OUV and shall engage business partners in the protection of the fragile nature of the Wadden Sea
It shall provide benefits for entrepreneurs through sustainable development.
Finally it shall enhance the communcation of WH and awareness of nature values
To reach these goals, it will be paramount, that
minimum standards are compulsory
name, brand, logo etc. are protected as registered trademarks,
trademark is owned by the Trilateral Cooperation
use of trademark is licensed by the owner
reasonable license fees are demanded and collected in a (Trilateral!) World Heritage Fund

10. Thank you for your attention!10

12. World Heritage Business Cooperation Programme
World Heritage concept to be developed, inviting all stakeholders to engage with the overall aim of the WH status in protecting the OUV
Opportunities to enhance the protection of the OUV, engage business partners in the protection of the fragile nature of the Wadden Sea
Provide benefits for entrepreneurs through sustainable development
Enhance the communcation of WH and awareness of nature values
Conditions:
Minimum standards to safeguard credibility and quality promise
Active involvement of stakeholders in the development of a World Heritage Wadden Sea business cooperation programme in order to create ownership and benefits for nature conservation.
Some final remarks concerning the marketing of the World Heritage Site:
A World Heritage Business Cooperation Programme has yet to be developed,
All stakeholders should be invited to engage with the overall aim of the WH status in protecting the OUV
The concept shall give opportunities to enhance the protection of the OUV and shall engage business partners in the protection of the fragile nature of the Wadden Sea
It shall provide benefits for entrepreneurs through sustainable development.
Finally it shall enhance the communcation of WH and awareness of nature values

13. National Park Partnership
170 National Park Partners
Accommodation
Gastronomy
Tour operators
Shipping companies
Railway companies
Bike rental outlets
Organic farms with own shop
Leisure attractions
Galleries and museums
Tidal Flat Guides
Nature NGO‘s
Tourism organisations
Municipalities
Here you can see the categories, for each of them specific criteria were developped.
The Benefit for all of them is
a direct line to the NP authority with exclusive target-group specific information
 Partners are allowed to use the NPP-Logo and the WH Logo for Marketing purposes to profile themselves with the brands.
 every NP Partner is presented on the website (klick)
Partners benefit from Free use of professional pictures, Information material about Nationalpark, WH
 and from exclusive basic and advanced training provided by the np authority
(Pause) ….Impossible not to mention what we have achieved on the trilateral level with the support of the CWSS, the Common Wadden Sea secretariat in Wilhelmshaven which is the responsible body for the trilateral Wadden Sea cooperation.
The steering board has 8 members, representing the municipalities, the regional tourism marketing organisation, the NGO‘s, the National Park guides, further NP Partners (two seats) and the NP (two staff members). It is an independent body which decides about new partners, new categories, the allocation of financial resources and is responsible for further development of the partnership programme. These were a few spotlights on the regional level.
LKN-SH | Nationalparkverwaltung |

14. Internet www.nationalpark-partner-sh.de
LKN-SH | Nationalparkverwaltung | NP-Seminar | Tönning

15. National Park Partner Steering Board Steering Board National
Park Authority
NGO‘s
Tourism Marketing
Municipalities
NationalPark
Partner
Independent body for decision-making and control
Further development, improvement and adjustment
Common and consensual decisions
Reasonable assignment of tasks and work load
Broad acceptance within the region
The steering board has 8 members, representing the municipalities, the regional tourism marketing organisation, the NGO‘s, the National Park guides, further NP Partners (two seats) and the NP (two staff members).
It is an independent body which decides about new partners, new categories, the allocation of financial resources and is responsible for further development of the partnership programme.

16. Checkup and Contract Application (questionnaire/form on website)
Checkup by independent agency and NP office, external check of environmental criteria
On-site visit
Assessment and recommendation for decision
Decision by National Park Partner Steering Board
Contract period: 3 years
Re-certification every 3 years
Fee depending on size of business: € per year
Money used for projects, information material and marketing of NP partnership programme (e.g. website, flyer)
1. Ausfüllen der Fragenkataloge
Allgemein
Kategoriespezifisch
Ggf. Viabono
Rücksendung der Unterlagen an die Nationalparkverwaltung
2. Vor-Ort-Besuch
durch eine Vertretung der Nationalparkverwaltung
Kennenlernen
Klärung offener Fragen
Überprüfung der Kriterien-erfüllung für die NP-Partnerschaft und ggf. Viabono
3. Entscheidung des Vergaberats
über die Aufnahme als Nationalpark-Partner.
Sitzungstermin ca. alle
zwei Monate; Termine werden auf der Website bekannt gegeben

17. Partner initiatives across Germany
Nationwide public-private partnership cooperation since 2005
Partner initiatives exist in 23 natural landscapes („Nationale Naturlandschaften“ = Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Nature Parks)
Harmonized minimum standards and criteria
Networking and exchange of experiences
Joint marketing campaigns across Germany

18. World Heritage Business Cooperation Programme
World Heritage concept to be developped, inviting all stakeholders to engage with the overall aim of the WH status in protecting the OUV
Opportunities to enhance the protection of the OUV, engage business partners in the protection of the fragile nature of the Wadden Sea
Provide benefits for entrepreneurs through sustainable development
Enhance the communcation of WH and awareness of nature values
Conditions:
Minimum standards to safeguard credibility and quality promise
Active involvement of stakeholders in the development of a World Heritage Wadden Sea business cooperation programme in order to create ownership and benefits for nature conservation.

19. National Park: Well prepared!
Zoning
Visitor management and information
Sustainable
Tourism
Strategy
and
Trilateral
cooperation
Regional cooperation
Qualified and
committed staff/partners
So many visitors require an efficient protected area management, in order to avoid or at least minimize ecological damage and disturbance. Pedro Rosabal, representative of the IUCN who visited us on behalf of the UNESCO World Heritage committee, asked us several times „Are you prepared even if the WH status will attract more tourists?“
Our answer is: Yes, we think we are well prepared!
The compoments to ensure protection of nature and support sustainable tourism in the National Park are summarized on this slide:
Of course the Zoning instrument (temporal and/or spatial), with higher protection in vulnerable areas e.g. in breeding areas, resting areas for seals or cetacean protection area
An efficient system for visitor guidance and information has been implemented.
Competent and committed staff as there are Ranger, Nationalpark-Wardens, certified Nationalpark-Guides, members of NGO‘s) which provide high quality information and tourist assistance service
attractive offers and opportunities for tourists to experience Nature and education packages for school classes, outdoor or in the Multimar Wattforum and other places.
Regional cooperation with tourism sector, touristic service providers – working groups, common projects and the Nationalpark Partnership programme
The Strategy and the Wadden Sea cooperation with Denmark and the Netherlands
Sound data basis provided by a trilateral monitoring and assessment programme, including ecological but also socio-economic parameters.
There are still many challenges waiting for us, and we are always willing to learn from other regions.
Nature experience and education
Monitoring data 19

20. Thank you for your attention!20