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RDP project database

Genuine Experiences Sustainable Tourism Network

Summary

This project involved a co-operative group of 14 “Genuinely Estonian” tourism farms and 1 private museum in Lahemaa. Common marketing tools improved tourism in the area with a focus on local and organic products.

Background

In winter and spring of 2005 Lahemaa National Park Visiting Centre, in co-operation with a group of entrepreneurs, created an entrepreneurs co-operation network, which works under the name Genuine Experiences in Lahemaa. The network is a voluntary union, created in 2005. The Products and experiences offered by the Genuine Experiences entrepreneurs are all environmentally friendly and their development co-incides with their continued sustainability.

Objective

The aims of this project were to: - create market links and public relationships that are still missing or insufficiently developed within the Sustainable tourism network Genuine Experiences in Lahemaa (SGEL); - create and develop new local, regional and international long-term partnerships in connection with SGEL in order to develop sustainable tourism and marketing in the region; - use more local food and food resources of the Lahemaa region.

Main activities

The main activities undertaken in this project were: - the creation and management of a common website for SGEL members; - a four-hour training session for members on Internet marketing; - a training trip on presenting techniques for SGEL members; - participating in the 2010 TOUREST Fair from the 12th to 14th of February; - a seminar during which project partners could experience new local foods and products; - the publication of a logo to present SGEL

Results & Benefits

In the longer term the benefit of the project is expected to increase economic activity in the region and strengthen the sustainability of the SGEL network. The main results are: - increased referrals from other tourist organisations; - development of a common marketing approach (through use of improved marketing tools); - the introduction of Lahemaa as a nature tourism target area.

Lessons learnt

The main lesson learned is that there is a problem with the organisation of information exchange within the network. This can be resolved by finding a person who is capable of fulfilling this role. However in this kind of sustainable tourism it is important that people act honestly in order to avoid losing the “naturalness” of the business. This would mean the person to fulfill this role should not be recruited only through the use of a salary.

Project location and other information

Ama village, Viitna, Kadrina municipality 45205

Region

Lääne-Eesti

RDP Territory

Estonia

Total project cost (€)

6 699

EAFRD contribution (€)

4 823

National contribution (€)

1 206

Private contribution (€)

670

Project website

Contact name

Sirje Kuusik

Telephone

+372 51 53 573

Languages for contact

English, Estonian

At a glance

Country

Estonia

Final beneficiary type

Non-governmental organisations

Budget range

< €20 000

Start date:

19/11/2009

End Date:

31/05/2011

Theme / Measure:

• Rural Quality of Life & Economic Diversification
• Training and skills acquisition
• 341: Skills-acquisition and animation measure

Keywords:

Rural tourism, Cooperation, Leader, Sustainable development, Entrepreneurship

Last update

16/05/2012