Principles and criteria
.valami.jpg "Photo: Kimmo Salminen")
Photo: Kimmo SalminenThe PAN Parks Principles and Criteria (P&C) was born as the “brainchild” of a consultative teamwork involving WWF offices, several protected areas and several other NGOs. The Principles and Criteria were field-tested in 17 protected areas in Europe, spanning 14 countries. This comprehensive assessment has allowed the PAN Parks organisation to test the reality of the Principles and Criteria on the ground.
The first three principles apply to the Protected Area and its management body. Hence, it is the protected area that becomes the actual PAN Park. Principles four and five set criteria for a sustainable tourism development strategy and for participation of local partners. In this case, it is the strategy, developed by Park managers and relevant interest groups in the region, which will be evaluated. The sustainable tourism development strategy is a cornerstone, ensuring that tourism supports nature conservation, and guaranteeing that tourism is not introduced in sensitive areas.
Principle 1: Natural values
PAN Parks are large protected areas, representative of Europe's natural heritage and of international importance for wildlife and ecosystems.
Principle 2: Habitat management
Design and management of the PAN Park aims to maintain and, if necessary, restore the area's natural ecological processes and its biodiversity.
Principle 3: Visitor management
Visitor management safeguards the natural values of the PAN Park and aims to provide visitors with a high-quality experience based on the appreciation of nature.
Principle 4: Sustainable tourism development
The Protected Area Authority and its relevant partners in the PAN Parks region aim at achieving a synergy between nature conservation and sustainable tourism by developing and jointly implementing a Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy.
Principle 5: Tourism business partners
PAN Parks’ tourism business partners as legal enterprises that are committed to the goals of certified PAN Parks and the PAN Parks Foundation, and actively cooperate with Local PAN Parks Group to implement the PAN Park region’s Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy effectively.
