Given a thumbs up by the local entrepreneurs who participated, the informative and inspirational event will hopefully boost rewilding-related nature-based tourism in the area.
As an integral part of rewilding efforts across Europe, Rewilding Europe is constantly working to develop and support economic opportunities for those involved in sustainable, nature-based tourism. As one of Europe’s last true wild areas, Swedish Lapland has huge potential for such tourism, and opportunities will multiply as rewilding efforts here continue to make progress.
With this in mind, a collaboration between Rewilding Sweden and the Swedish Ecotourism Society saw a productive wildlife watching and photography workshop held at the Treehotel in Harads, in the Lapland rewilding area, in August.
The workshop, which was designed to raise the profile of wildlife watching as a business model with local nature tourism companies, was attended by nine Swedish Lapland-based tourism entrepreneurs.
“I think the workshop was really valuable for all of us,” said Pontus Frank of Explore Luleå after the event. “We shared our thoughts and experiences and picked up some really useful tips and ideas from the experts.”
The workshop leaders were Marcus Eldh and Peter Rosén. The duo shared their huge insight and experience of wildlife watching and photography with the participants, including information on how to give guided tours, equipment, photographic skills and techniques, and marketing and sales.
Living in the Swedish village of Sundborn, Marcus has been running award-winning nature tourism company (and European Rewilding Network member) WildSweden since 2003. He often gives lectures on attracting visitors from more than 75 countries to watch moose in the municipality of Skinnskatteberg, while one of WildSweden’s safaris was named one of the “50 tours of a lifetime” by National Geographic Traveler Magazine.
Peter Rosen is a renowned photographer, videographer and photography guide. His Lapland-based company LapplandMedia & PhotoAdventures AB has been organising photo tours and supplying images internationally for nearly 20 years, with a particular focus on the Aurora Borealis.
- Learn more about the Lapland rewilding area here.
- Experience the Lapland rewilding area with the European Safari Company.
- Visit the Rewilding Lapland Facebook page here.