Fostering geoturism on Central Baltic islands

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The Central Baltic islands (mainly Gotland, Åland islands, Saaremaa, Hiiumaa) have both common features as well as different past experiences about developing eco- or nature tourism on these islands. These islands have had a long-time cooperation through the B7 Baltic Islands Network. However, the B7 activities have been mainly focussed on major issues related to the Baltic Sea. Therefore up to now almost no attention has been paid to developing and promoting geoturism activities on Central Baltic islands. This project “Fostering geoturism on Central Baltic islands” emphasises on preparing solid basement for nature tourism development opportunites on Central Baltic islands (well-illustrated full-color books/travel guides, educational videofilms, survey report on nature tourism marketing experiences in Nordic countries, training seminar and field trip, exhibitions in Estonian and Swedish languages to introduce the project and Central Baltic geoturism destinations to a wider audience in both countries) that can be used by local authorities, tourism experts/agencies and educational leaders to create and further manage both site-specific and cross-border nature tourism activities. New cross-border geoturism routes on exploring meteorite craters, fossils and sedimentary rocks, diverse coastal landscapes of the Baltic Sea can be developed on that ground by local tourism experts. The promoting materials such as books/travel guides and educational videos, created through the project “Fostering geoturism on Central Baltic islands” in English language, can be freely distributed worldwide to attract people to visit promoted areas and to explore new geoturism routes. Collecting and analyzing the information on best practices in the field of nature tourism from different countries with different cultural background will help to create the necessary synergy for further developments in this sector. This in turn should fuel economic growth, increase employment and enhance life on Central Baltic islands. Great attention will be paid in realising the economic potential of nature tourism to contribute local economy without damaging the environmental sustainability of these tourist destinations. The project objectives should be achieved in implementing a project in a tight collaboration between project partners NGO Geoguide Baltoscandia, Estonia and Uppsala University, Sweden.

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