Rewilding Europe is excited to introduce Wilder Places – a new travel booking platform in the making. As part of Rewilding Europe’s commitment to scaling up rewilding tourism, Wilder Places will soon offer nature-loving travellers meaningful, impactful experiences across our thriving rewilding landscapes. Sign up now to stay informed.
Growing something meaningful
Since 2011, Rewilding Europe has been working with dedicated partners to rewild an expanding portfolio of landscapes across Europe – from the Ukrainian Danube Delta in the east to the Greater Côa Valley in Portugal in the west. These efforts are breathing new life into some of Europe’s wildest areas, as wildlife populations rebound and the recovery of nature brings economic opportunities for rural communities on a growing scale.
Through Wilder Places, our new tourism booking platform that will be launched soon, we’re inviting everyone to witness this recovery first-hand – and contribute to it. Designed to drive the growth of rewilding tourism, it will offer aspiring travellers the chance to reconnect with nature and enjoy meaningful, uniquely immersive experiences in our rewilding landscapes. We will start small, aiming to grow something meaningful together by exploring and learning, while developing the platform and diversifying offerings.
Rewilding tourism: going one step further
With interest in nature-based experiences growing rapidly, responsible tourism – such as eco-tourism and nature-positive tourism – is booming. While such tourism focuses on minimising harm to nature, rewilding tourism goes a step further – not only protecting nature, but positively contributing to its recovery.
The launch of Wilder Places is part of Rewilding Europe’s commitment to scale up rewilding tourism across Europe. An essential component of developing nature-based economies, such tourism can generate income and jobs for entrepreneurs in our landscapes and beyond, incentivise nature recovery, support beneficial changes in the way land is managed, enhance support and passion for rewilding, and build pride and a sense of identity in communities.
“We want to bring together supply and demand, curating and supporting a network of local providers and establishing partnerships with carefully chosen operators.”
Johannes Schreuder
Rewilding Europe’s Head of Nature for People
“We want to bring together supply and demand, curating and supporting a network of local providers and establishing partnerships with carefully chosen operators,” explains Johannes Schreuder, Rewilding Europe’s Head of Nature for People. “Rewilding tourism is community-based, favouring businesses owned by local entrepreneurs which employ local people and contribute directly and indirectly to Rewilding Europe’s mission.”
Unique experiences in the wild
From tracking wolves and bears in ancient forests, to witnessing free-flowing rivers and vast river deltas teeming with life, Wilder Places will immerse people in real-world rewilding, through carefully selected nature-based stays, expert local guides, and wild encounters.
“Stepping into spectacular natural landscapes, witnessing free-roaming wildlife, and connecting with wild nature doesn’t just inspire awe – it reconnects you with the natural world and creates lifetime memories,” says Bart Schutz, Rewilding Europe’s Tourism Manager. “If you’re looking to escape the crowds, immerse yourself in wild nature, enjoy rich cultural interaction, and directly support rewilding efforts, choose Wilder Places to book your next travel adventure.”
Delivering positive impact together
Wilder Places will be far more than just a travel booking platform. It’s an initiative to strengthen collaboration, bringing together partners and local entrepreneurs across Europe’s rewilding landscapes to co-create an exciting and authentic network of rewilding experiences and amplify the positive impact of rewilding.
Tourism providers that join Wilder Places are carefully selected to ensure their business models align with the principles of rewilding, advance rewilding efforts in the landscapes where they are based, and boost local nature-based economies. While the platform is still in its infancy, its ongoing development will contribute to nature recovery, strengthen community-based businesses, and help create sustainable livelihoods on an ever-increasing scale.
“Wilder Places is managed by Rewilding Europe, but its strength and success will depend on a burgeoning partnership between travellers, entrepreneurs in our landscapes, and our committed and passionate rewilding teams,” says Bart Schutz. “By choosing to become part of the platform, you are helping to restore rivers, forests and grasslands, support wildlife comeback, and benefit local people and enterprise.”
Join us
Wilder Places is just getting started. Moving forwards, it will feature an ever-increasing number of landscapes, partners, and ways to experience a wilder Europe. This growth depends on you. As we prepare to launch, we warmly invite you to share your experiences and ideas, helping us to shape a platform that actively supports nature recovery and benefits local communities. Tour operators interested in partnering with us to unlock our landscapes to visitors are very welcome to get in touch.
Wilder Places is not only a gateway to the wonder of nature and transformative impact of rewilding. As it develops, it will amplify that impact. By choosing Wilder Places, you’re helping us to make Europe a wilder place.
Be the first to know when Wilder Places launches by signing up to the platform newsletter.
Want to know more?
- Wilder Places
- Contact the Wilder Places team at bart.schutz@rewildingeurope.com or victor.vandooren@rewildingeurope.com