First 13 Tourism Businesses in Ķemeri and Gauja National Parks Receive International Sustainability Recognition

The certificates were awarded to 13 tourism businesses and professionals operating in Ķemeri and Gauja National Parks during the 3rd Gauja National Park Bioregion Forum.

This recognition acknowledges their significant contribution to sustainable tourism development, the preservation and promotion of natural and cultural heritage, and their commitment to working together to create tourism that benefits nature, local communities and the regional economy.

The Partner Certificates were awarded to Kārļa muiža SIA and Pie Putniem SIA; Sigita Klētniece, a guide from the Cēsis Inside brand; nature guides Aiga Auziņa, Santa Ruģēna and Rolands Auziņš; Neptūns campsite and restaurant (Antila SIA); Arnita Pigita, representing the e-bike rental service Pendal Pedals; Līga Gulbe, creator of the design brand MarShï; Mākoņi un māls, a tourism and arts centre; Valmiermuižas alus SIA brewery; the outdoor adventure company Boards You; and Saule Bīriņu Pils, a tourism and catering company.

The newly certified partners represent a wide range of tourism experiences and services in Latvia’s protected natural areas, including guided tours, accommodation, gastronomy, traditional crafts, design, outdoor activities, nature interpretation and cultural heritage experiences. They share a common goal: to help visitors discover, understand and appreciate the unique values of national parks while contributing to their preservation for future generations.

The awarding of the Charter Partner Certificates marks a new milestone in sustainable tourism development across Latvia’s protected natural areas. This journey began in 2012, when Ķemeri National Park became the first protected area in Latvia to receive certification under the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism. Gauja National Park followed in 2025.

While the first level of the Charter recognises a national park as a sustainably managed tourism destination, the second level — the Partner Programme — acknowledges the active involvement of tourism stakeholders, particularly local businesses, in understanding and contributing to the destination's shared sustainability goals.

As part of the certification process, participating businesses submitted sustainable development action plans and took part in discussions with representatives of the EUROPARC Federation’s Nordic-Baltic Section Charter Working Group from Latvia, Estonia and Sweden. These discussions highlighted the diverse experiences of local entrepreneurs and their strong commitment to caring for the protected natural areas in which they live and work.

Established by the EUROPARC Federation in 1995, the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas promotes responsible and sustainable tourism across Europe's protected natural areas by encouraging cooperation between protected area authorities, tourism businesses and local communities.

By putting the Charter's principles into practice, participating destinations and businesses help develop tourism that respects both nature and people, protects natural and cultural heritage, and encourages international knowledge-sharing. The Charter also creates opportunities to learn from other protected areas across Europe, while strengthening each destination's reputation as a responsible, high-quality place to visit.