Largely unexploited Estonia offers huge opportunities for nature tourism devotees, it has been claimed. In particular, the country is a great place for birdwatchers, says Tim Appleton, chief organizer of the world’s largest eco-tourism trade fair, Birdfair. His comments yesterday were reported by the BBN news portal.
Mr. Appleton said that even though most people think of Estonia as somewhere cold and snowy for most of the year, there was a huge potential for the country to attract nature tourists.
According to BBN, he said that overall he was hugely impressed by the country during a recent trip to Estonia. He said that “Eco tourism is a sector that accounts for millions of Euros each year, and there is no reason why Estonia cannot have a slice of the action”.
He went on to claim that there are many tourists from Western Europe who would be prepared to pay almost any price to get a glimpse of the nature in the country. “People want to see insects, butterflies and flowers, and Estonia has it all”, said Appleton. And that’s without even mentioning the wolves, brown bears and other wildlife roaming the countryside, the like of which cannot be found in Western European countries anymore.
Appleton went on to outline what the country needs to do to achieve its potential. More guides are needed for the country’s best nature sights, so that tourism chiefs in the country can promote eco-tourism in the Baltic state.
Despite its wonderful natural attractions, Estonia barely receives any nature travelers at present. Estonian Nature Tours, a fledgling travel operator trying to develop the country’s potential, said they expect between 1,000 and 1,500 bird watching enthusiasts to visit the country in 2011.
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I have visited Estonia four times now and found the country just exceptionally beautiful and unspoilt. The people are very friendly, the towns and cities are exciting, the culture fascinating, but the biggest pull has to be its nature and wildlife. I have travelled a bit around the world, and for me only New Zealand can compete with Estonia! I can’t wait to spend more time there, explore it much further than I was able to do in my short visits. Luckily I have also family there so I will be back this summer!
I have visited Estonia four times now and found the country just exceptionally beautiful and unspoilt. The people are very friendly, the towns and cities are exciting, the culture fascinating, but the biggest pull has to be its nature and wildlife. I have travelled a bit around the world, and for me only New Zealand can compete with Estonia!
Last summer whilst driving from Tallinn to Viljandi we saw, in my guess at least, about a hundred storks on a field. Growing up in rural Northern Germany in the seventies we were lucky to see the odd one every year. Now I am living in England and have not seen one stork since moving here. It was mind-blowing to see that many of such a beautiful creature in one go! It is amazing what Estonia can offer in terms of wildlife.
I can’t wait to spend more time there, explore it much further than I was able to do in my short visits. Luckily I have also family there so I will be back this summer.