The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas is a unique practical management tool that enables protected areas to develop tourism sustainably. The core element of the Charter is working in partnership with all relevant stakeholders to develop a common sustainable tourism strategy and an action plan on the basis of a thorough situation analysis. The aims of all Charter projects and activities are the protection of the natural and cultural heritage and the continuous improvement of tourism in the protected area in terms of the environment, local population and businesses as well as visitors.

Once Charter candidates have registered with the EUROPARC Federation they are referred to the team here at EUROPARC Consulting. We then carry out the whole administration process from the initial assessment of the application documents, followed by an evaluation visit, and then prepare the documents for the Evaluation Committee, who decide whether or not the applicants are successful. The results are passed to the EUROPARC Federation who organise the final handing-over ceremony of the Charter certificate at the annual EUROPARC Conference. Both organisations work closely together throughout the whole proceedure to ensure Charter applicants have all the support they need.

The European Charter is a vital and practical tool that supports protected areas of all kinds, as well as local tourism businesses to develop and implement sustainable tourism. It is based on 10 Charter Principles for sustainable tourism and comprises a set of guidelines, check-lists and methodologies. Find out how to become a Charter area and participate in one of the biggest networks of protected areas in Europe, dedicated to sustainable tourism development:

www.european-charter.org