UNDP/GEF
Conservation of Biodiversity on Kamchatka's 4
Protected Areas
Contact the Kamchatka Ecotourism Society
Kamchatka Ecotourism Society
For nature and people!
The Kamchatka Ecotourism Society was founded to help develop responsible tourism on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The regional non-governmental organization was chartered in April 2006 under the following principles:
- Respect local traditions and avoid negative impacts on nature and culture
- Support local economy
- Strive to work in an environmentally sustainable manner
- Actively participate in conservation
- Stimulate joy, knowledge, and respect for local culture and nature
- Quality and safety throughout all of our tours
Priority projects in 2007
- Documentation of "Best Practices in Ecotourism" on Kamchatka was begun in December 2006. The KES gathers examples of excellence in Kamchatka tourism based on the above principles and criteria developed to illustrate how companies can operate sustainably. These documentations will be gathered and used as a basis for training and sharing among tour professionals in Kamchatka.
- Development of certification for ecotours and tourism services like hotels and bed and breakfasts on Kamchatka is the second step for companies, after documenting their Best Practices. With a grant from the Wild Salmon Center, the Society is working toward this goal.
- Raising local awareness of principles and techniques of ecotourism as many Kamchatka residents are choosing to vacation and recreate on the Peninsula. We participate in local exhibitions and tourism trade fairs where we distribute and tell about ethics and practices of ecotourism.
- Supporting guide and other service staff training to increase the quality of the level of service given to visitors and local tourists.
- Providing training seminars in ecotourism and sustainable tourism principles and practices. For example in 2006, we held a 3-day seminar for fly fishing guides.
Join the Kamchatka Ecotourism Society
The Kamchatka Ecotourism Society is an all volunteer organization supported through membership fees, and occasional project grants to help us finance special projects like certification and membership development. Annual membership fees for Russian members are:
Students 100 rubles
Adult members 500 rubles
Click here to fill out a membership application.Membership benefits
All members receive our periodic e-bulletins on ecotourism developments on Kamchatka and announcements of events.
Student members receive a copy of our principles a KES decal and discounts or free admission to KES training courses or events.
Regular members receive copy of our principles a KES decal and discounts or free admission to KES training courses or events. If they are a tour operator or tourism-related business, they also may participate in the documentation of “Best Practices in Tourism Kamchatka,” and certification of ecotours. Click here for more information on Best Practices.
Sponsors
We invite you to become a sponsor member of Kamchatka Ecotourism Society. Sponsorы donate funds to assist the ongoing operation of the KES because they support our principles and also have an interest in conserving Kamchatka’s outstanding cultures and wilderness.Sponsor levels
- Bronze – $100 sponsors receive a thank you certificate suitable for framing.
- Silver – $200 sponsors receive a thank you certificate suitable for framing, and a photograph by Irena Kruglyakova of a Kamchatka brown bear.
- Gold – $500 sponsors receive a thank you certificate suitable for framing, and a book of Kamchatka scenes.
- Diamond – over $1000 sponsors receive a thank you certificate suitable for framing, a collection of books of Kamchatka.
Members receive a thank you certificate suitable for framing, a collection of books of Kamchatka.
Our sponsors include:
Diamond – Wild Salmon Center