Public appeal of tourism enterprises and companies

Estonian Nature Tours signed a public appeal "For sustainable management of Estonian forests" among the other tourism organisations. The appeal has sent to the Minister of the Environment and Environment Commitee of the Estonian Parliament.

Public appeal of tourism enterprises and companies to the Environmental Commission of the Parliament of Estonia and the Minister of Environment concerning sustainable management of the forests of Estonia.

Current forest policy and forest management practices in Estonia do not take into sufficient consideration the needs of tourism sector. Increasing forest cutting conflict with internationally formed opinion about Estonia's untouched nature and protected forests. In theory 26% of forests are under protection, but in actuality logging is routinely going on in national parks. Such contradiction has strong negative impact to tourism enterprises of Estonia and implicitly to the economy and reputation of the country generally.

Tourism sector is one of the cornerstones of Estonian economy, its GDP is with similar order of magnitude, as that of logging sector. The number of foreign tourists visiting Estonia is constantly growing. Forest is very important asset and resource of tourism industry. Unfortunately no representatives of tourism sector have been involved in decision making, concerning forest management trends and orientations. 

Pursuant to the aforementioned we submit our proposals:
1) Retain the forests in protected areas in natural condition and therefore earn long-run economic profit from tourism industry;
2) Consider the interests of the tourism sector in forest policy and make the amendments in relevant acts;
3) Involve the representatives of tourism sector in the institutions, evolving forest policy in Estonia.

Eesti Loodusturismiettevõtete Ühendus
MTÜ Eesti Maaturism / (Rural tourism)
Eesti Spaaliit / Estonian Spas
Lääne-Eesti Turism MTÜ / West Estonian Tourism
Põhja-Eesti Turism / North Estonia SA
Lõuna-Eesti Turism SA / Foundation South Estonian Tourism
Visit Saaremaa MTÜ
Valgamaa Arenguagentuur SA / Valgamaa County Development Agency
Võrumaa Arenguagentuur SA / Võrumaa County Development Agency
Põlvamaa Arenduskeskus SA+ / Põlvamaa County Development Centre
Viljandimaa Arenduskeskus SA  / Viljandimaa County Development Centre
JAEK Jõgevamaa Arendus- ja Ettevõtluskeskus SA / Jõgevamaa County Development and Business Centre
Läänemaa Turism MTÜ
Viljandimaa Turism MTÜ 
Tartumaa Turism SA 
Ehedad Elamused Lahemaal MTÜ
Soomaa Turism MTÜ 
Peipsimaa & Peipsimaa Turism MTÜ / Visitpeipsi
Setomaa Turism MTÜ/ Visit Setomaa
Kumari Reisid OÜ / Estonian Nature Tours
Reimann Retked OÜ / Reimann Retked Ltd.
360 kraadi OÜ / 360 degrees
Loodusturism.ее OÜ
Matkajuht Osaühing
Viitong Reisid OÜ / Heritage Tours
Estonian Nature OÜ / Estonian Wildlife Tours
Urban Pirate OÜ
Naturumi OÜ
Kaks hunti OÜ / Capture Estonia- Photo & Nature Tours
NaTourEst OÜ 
Viis Aastaaega OÜ 
Teadlikud Elamused MTÜ / Experiest 


Appeal compiled by:
Bert Rähni & Aivar Ruukel

Translated by:
Peeter Vissak

ENT has done a thankworthy job in appraisal of Estonia's nature and conservation

Estonian Nature Tours has gained deserved confidence amongst nature conservation and bird protection organizations of Estonia. We have initiated and participated in several public disputes and discussions related to wildlife and continuously support research and protection of the Flying Squirrel and the Foundation for Estonia's Young Conservationist Award. We participate actively in discussions of the Matsalu National Park's Cooperation Assembly and manage a tourist information centre in Lihula together with the local municipality. By virtue of the report at the fall semester of Estonian Society for Theriology (study of mammals) it was acknowledged, that ENT has done a thankworthy job in appraisal of Estonia's nature and conservation, widely introducing Estonia and its wildlife abroad. Our participation in partnership days with the Ministry of Environment has also been extremely useful with worthwhile discussions related to protection of wildlife (ENT and the Ministry of Environment signed a mutual Free Will Contract in 2013). In connection with Estonia's Chairmanship in the 2nd half of 2017 there will be an international conference on environmental matters, arranged by the Ministry of Environment, where among other topics Wildlife Tourism will be discussed, as suggested by ENT.

ENT has had a busy year. Besides our existing clientele we have found several new partners, mostly from Great Britain, Germany, Spain and Belgium. The number has grown almost up to 30.  The number of loyal clients has increased as well and that indicates, that we have provided reliable and high quality service.

Our activities are also of great importance in a local context. Several accommodation providers from our network have told us that our clients significantly extend their season and help the enterprises to survive. It is always good to know that our clients are awaited and beloved.

Here, we would like to share with you something really marvellous. 
One of our customers sent us, by post, this little booklet >

Truly touching! With the consent of the artist we used some of his drawings when designing the front and back cover of the ENT brochure 2017.

See also a gallery “There is no need for words” > 

With pleasure, we are continiously offering individual bookings on our fully-inclusive holidays. 

See the selection of best birdwatching, mammal tours and other wildlife holidays in Estonia available for the year 2017/2018 by clicking here >

To order Estonian Nature Tours brochure 2017 (for free) please send your contact details (full address, name) to our e-mail: info@naturetours.ee

Petition to protect forests in Estonia

In the latest months there has been a snowball effect civil initiative to reject the new Forest Act. Specialists have been directing attention to the jeopardy of the current Forest Act for some years. Scientists from the University of Tartu and Estonian Land University share the viewpoint that Estonia should not carry on the former forest policy as it is climate hostile, non-transparent and is utilizing the forest resource out of future assets. Unfortunately the Ministry of Environment, who is inclining towards the forest industry, is ignoring the facts and is pushing through new amendments to the Forest Act, allowing to even increase clear cut areas, decrease the threshold value of the rotation age and simplify issuing of cutting permits.

In early December, a public letter was delivered to the President, the Parliament and Ministries, in which 101 writers, artists, musicians, scientists and film producers expressed their deep concerns at the threats from ongoing forest policy, demanding rejection of the new Forest Act and participation of environmental organizations in formation of the state forest policy.

The petition “Let us stop the destruction of Estonia's forests by industrialists!” gathered remarkable 7006 signatures (5000 was expected). ENT team members have supported the petition among others. On December 16, a picket was carried out in front of the Ministry of Environment, which protested against the official state forestry policy, that is concentrating more on forestry than protection of the environment, as was declared by the protesters. Further the protesters were moving to Toompea Hill to hand the petition over to Parliament. It is too early to assess what will be happening but we will keep you posted in our following newsletters.

Source: www.delfi.ee

Visit MATSALU – one of the most internationally recognized national parks in Europe

Estonian Nature Tours considers Matsalu National Park as its home. The founder and CEO of ENT Marika Mann is living in the park and she worked 10 years in Matsalu before started her career in birdwatching tourism. Our office is just a couple of kilometres away, in Lihula. We love Matsalu Bay and wish to share this beauty with you.

Matsalu National Park covers 486 square kilometers and is one of the most important bird wetlands in Europe. It boasts plenty of habitats suitable for use as staging posts or for breeding, including one of Europe´s largest wet meadow and 3,000 hectares of reedbeds, and the shallow, brackish, nutrient-rich waters of the Matsalu Bay which has a 165-kilometre coastline. It is not surprising that avian diversity is unequalled in northern Europe in spring and autumn. And it is easy to see why more than 170 species breed here – and why the north European day-list record of 194 was set in this region in May 2007.

Matsalu National Park / Photo: Arvo Tarmula (Source: online.le.ee)

Matsalu National Park was founded in 1957 to protect nesting, moulting and migratory birds. Since 1976 Matsalu is included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of international importance.
Matsalu National Park is the only reserve in the Baltic countries which has been rewarded with the Diploma of the Council of Europe, which confers the distinction of biological, geological and landscape diversity of Matsalu. The Diploma, rewarded in 2003, is the highest award of the Council of Europe Bern Convention to nature reserves, but simultaneously it is an obligation to provide sustainable and harmonic social, educational and economic functions to the region in such a way that preservation of biological and landscape diversity would be guaranteed. Areas with the Diploma possess high importance in promotion of nature education and nature tourism. The status of Matsalu NP has been audited twice and both times the results have been really good.

Matsalu National Park / Source: et.wikipedia.org

During a festive ceremony in Brussels, EUROPARC Federation rewarded Matsalu NP as the first location in Estonia with a certification of sustainable tourism. The requirement of the certification is efficient collaboration between different stakeholders and interest groups, as well as mutually agreed strategic purposes and activities, facilitating sustainable tourism in the region. Tourism and biological diversity are very closely related, as success of tourism industry is directly depending on favourable conditions of ecosystems.

The area of Matsalu National Park is also acknowledged by the EDEN network (European Destination of Excellence) of the EC.
Estonian Nature Tours is delighted to be included and to have a crucial role in assignation and preservation of several important statuses. Our contribution to setting up the network of tourism entrepreneurs, organising several seminars and study trips and drawing up marketing strategy and product development has been remarkable.

For bird watchers who want to enjoy a leisurely birding break with a fabulous variety of birds, we have on offer a fantastic five-day trip to Matsalu National Park. You will stay all four nights at Tuulingu Guesthouse, in the neighbourhood of the famous Haeska watch tower. The record for the highest day list of bird species from a single spot in Northern Europe was achieved from this tower – 128 species by nightfall in May, giving you some idea of the incredible diversity here.

Common Cranes / Photo: Remo Savisaar

Tour dates are 15th - 19th May/11th - 14th September and you can book flights from London Gatwick with Easyjet, or from other airports with British Airways, Finnair, SAS, Ryanair or Air Baltic.

Invite your friends, contact us, book a suitable period and start packing! 

For more information > info@naturetours.ee