Deeper holiday experiences as an ecotourist
Ecotourism is becoming increasingly popular as a holiday option, with Sweden leading the way. Despite its rather dry sounding name, ecotourism is often a real adventure, which may explain the increased demand.
The idea behind ecotourism is that tourism should help to protect nature and show consideration for the local population. Animal species such as gorillas and whales are to some extent protected by ecotourism, as they are of more value as living tourist attractions. Sweden itself is offering more alternatives for ecotourists. Riding, bear watching, seal safaris, white water rafting and caving are just a few of the experiences that the Swedish countryside has to offer.
“We usually say that ecotourism should be more fun than a normal holiday,” comments Maria Kjellström, company adviser at the Swedish Ecotourism Association. “The focus is on experiencing nature, whether by hiking, going on wildlife safari or dogsledding.”
Sweden is the only country in the world with clearly defined criteria for certifying ecotourism companies. So far, around 75 companies have met the 300 criteria required for the quality label “Naturens Bästa” (Nature’s Best). Several other countries are now seeking to copy the concept, which the Swedish Ecotourism Association sees as a positive thing. Every country has its own charm and something unique to offer.
“One of my favourite destinations is Transylvania in Romania,” explains Maria.
“I’ve been with my family several times, staying at various guesthouses in the villages of the Carpathian mountains. The pastoral tradition is strong and if you travel in the spring, you can get up close to the grazing animals. In Sweden, I usually recommend Jämtland, which has an extremely wide range of ecotourism attractions.”
One particular subset of ecotourism is agritourism. This type of holiday is offered on farms and usually involves tourists taking part in the day-to-day farm work. Agritourism is often offered in the winegrowing regions of Italy, France and Spain, but you can find plenty of places that farm things other than grapes. Some places accept tourists for longer periods, usually one or two weeks. The visitors usually work on the farm for free and in return receive board and lodging.
In Sweden, looking after reindeer with the Sami up in Lapland has become a popular holiday option. For a couple of days, tourists get to help the Sami in their daily work with the reindeer. The level of authenticity and the closeness to the Lapland countryside and Sami culture make this an experience never to be forgotten.
