Kemeri National Park – Celebrating Sustainable Tourism in Latvian Wetlands
On February 1, just on the brink of World Wetlands Day, a special celebration was held in the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional development of the Republic of Latvia
The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas Certificate was handed over to Ķemeri National Park (“Ķemeru nacionālais parks”) – a true wetlands park, comprising one out of the 6 Ramsar sites in Latvia.
Present during the event were Kaspars Gerhards, Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development and Juris Jātnieks, Director General of Nature Conservation Agency –public authority responsible for management of all PAs in Latvia.
The ceremony would have been incomplete without the presence of the KNP tourism forum – this time represented by resort rehabilitation centre “Jaunķemeri” , recreation centre “Valguma Pasaule” and local guide and souvenir producer Jānis Šlūke.
ECSTPA New Logotype. Existing in 5 languages – also in Latvian.
During the discussions the participants stressed the role of the Charter as the driving force for involvement of all stakeholders and the key to finding the right balance between preserving natural heritage and sustainable economic activity.
Everybody reiterated their determination and eagerness to continue the good work together towards excellence in sustainable tourism and development.It was already the second time Ķemeri NP was awarded the Charter.
The ceremony held in the Latvian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional development was a great opportunity to allow more of the people involved in the Charter process to come together and celebrate their common success and find it acknowledged at national level.
For more information on the celebration held in the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional development of the Republic of Latvia, please get in touch with Agnese Balandina (agnese.balandina_at_daba.gov.lv, Nature Conservation Agency, Pierīga Regional Administration, Manager of Nature Education Centre).
EUROPARC congratulates Kemeri National Park to this successful event and its re-awarding.
Back in December 2017, the official Charter Award Ceremony, hosted by the European Parliament and EUROPARC Federation, took place in Brussels and gathered all Protected Areas of the Charter Family that were (re-)awarded last year. Find here photos and the final report on the Charter Award Ceremony 2017.