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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 20.000 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 (www.panparks.org)

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!