Nature’s Best is Sweden’s answer to nature-based tourism
In short, Nature’s Best is ecotourism for responsible companies working with nature, and cultural tourism for conscious travellers
Nature’s Best is Sweden‘s only sustainability label for nature-based experiences. The labelling system highlights activities by ecotourism entrepreneurs. Nature’s Best functions both as a systematic tool for nature and cultural tourism companies’ sustainable business development and a quality label that makes sustainable experiences visible to conscious travellers.
The project looks at offering products which provide quality-assured consideration for nature conservation, environmental adaptation or local anchoring with care for the destination’s cultural values.
Six basic criteria reflect the values of ecotourism in practice and each basic criterion in the labelling system consists of a number of underlying criteria that the members of the association will meet. Total companies belonging to Nature’s Best are currently 34 with a few new additions each year.
Nature’s Best six principles
1: Respect the limitations of the destination – the least possible wear and tear on nature and culture.
Ecotourism focuses on preserving instead of destroying what the visitor has come to experience. The ecological and cultural viability of each area must be respected, requiring good knowledge of the destination by the organiser, a local presence and a close cooperation with other actors.
2: Benefit the local economy – Ecotourism is to anchor tourism locally. Nature conservation needs to be approved by local people. Being able to benefit from tourism is often a positive driving force. Each event must therefore contribute to the destination’s finances – overnight stays in the locality, local guides and locally purchased goods and services. The more the better.
3: Environmentally adapt the entire business – Ecotourism organisers must be at the forefront when it comes to environmental adaptation. Therefore, organisers must actively minimise the environmental impact of travel. Among other things, public transport must be encouraged, accommodation facilities adapted to the environment, waste sorted and environmental fuels given priority.
4: Actively contribute to nature and cultural protection – Ecotourism takes its responsibility for biodiversity and unique cultural values. This means supporting nature conservation in various forms in some active way. The ecotourism organiser collaborates with a living nature and cultural protection opinion. It is a partnership for mutual benefit.
5: Invest in the joy of discovery, knowledge and respect – Ecotourism is to travel with a curious and respectful attitude. Approved organisers are skilled hosts and knowledgeable guides, who offer useful introductions, good advice, guidance and valuable tips. Good hospitality and well-communicated knowledge are often the key to memorable travel experiences.
6: Quality and security on the trip – Ecotourism is quality tourism. Marked arrangements must meet and exceed expectations. Safety is taken seriously and satisfied customers are the rule. The outside world must know that an approved ecotourism organiser is a reliable partner.
Last year, Nature’s Best integrated three new companies. White Trail Adventures, Pensionat Söderåsen and Laponia Adventures Sweden have now worked their way through the criteria required to be part of Sweden’s sustainability label for nature-based tourism.
Laponia Adventures Sweden and White Trail Adventures are both located in Swedish northern. Laponia Adventures Sweden offers hiking and ski tours in Europe’s largest continuous natural landscape Lapland. White Trail Adventures loves life with its sled dogs, its guest house and nature in Kiruna. The company’s dream is to take care of guests who want to come and stay and experience nature from a dog sled.
Pensionat Söderåsen is right next to Söderåsen National Park in Skåne in Southern Sweden. Resident guests can enjoy hiking, magnificent views, cycling, canoeing and horse riding.
