Baltic National Parks Join Forces for Sustainable Tourism and Future Collaboration

The agreement was signed during the international conference “National Parks, Local Communities and Collaboration”, organised as part of the celebrations of the 55th anniversary of Lahemaa National Park. The initiative brings together organisations representing several Baltic protected areas, including Gauja National Park and Ķemeri National Park from Latvia, alongside partners from Estonia and Lithuania.

The memorandum reflects a shared commitment to strengthen cooperation between tourism communities, local stakeholders, and protected area organisations while supporting responsible and community-based tourism development. The partners aim to exchange knowledge and experience, jointly promote sustainable nature tourism, and contribute to biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation across the Baltic region.

The Baltic National Parks Tourism Collaboration Agreement (goodwill memorandum) was signed by the following organisations representing Baltic national parks:

Estonia

• Lahemaa Tourism Association (Lahemaa National Park)
• NGO Soomaa Tourism (Soomaa National Park)
• NGO Terra Maritima (Matsalu National Park)
• NGO Alutaguse Hiking Club (Alutaguse National Park)
• NGO Vilsandi National Park Tourism (Vilsandi National Park)
• NGO Karula Theatre (Karula National Park)

Latvia

• Gauja National Park Tourism Cluster (Gauja National Park / Enter Gauja)
• Ķemeri National Park Foundation (Ķemeri National Park)

Lithuania

• Ignalina Tourism Information Centre / Aukštaitija National Park (Aukštaitija National Park)

Through this collaboration, Baltic national parks plan to develop joint initiatives and projects, create international cooperation opportunities, organise study visits and workshops, and strengthen the visibility of the Baltic region as a shared destination for sustainable nature tourism. The agreement also foresees the possibility for additional national park tourism organisations to join in the future, with the long-term goal of involving all 15 Baltic national parks. 

For Gauja National Park Tourism Association, participation in this cooperation network creates new opportunities for international partnerships, exchange of good practices, and joint destination development. Strengthening links between Baltic national parks will not only support tourism entrepreneurs and local communities but also contribute to preserving the natural and cultural values that make these places unique.

During the last five years, Gauja National Park Tourism Association has organized experience exchange trips for tourism  entrepreneurs and municipal tourism specialists of Gauja National park to Soomaa National park (Estonia) and Aukštaitija National park (Lithuania). And had run couple international Central Baltic Interreg projects shoulder to shoulder to Lahemaa National park and Soomaa National park tourism specialists. As well as started to run joint tourism product "Escape Baltic National parks" creation with Soomaa and Lahemaa National parks (Estonia). Insight HERE

The signing of the goodwill memorandum marks the beginning of a long-term cooperation process, creating a stronger and more connected network of national parks where nature conservation, local communities, and sustainable tourism can grow together. 

Photos: Kadri Otsiver