Presentation about community based tourism in Estonia - EuroEco 2010 Triinu Akkermann

1. Community-based tourism in Lake Peipus Region
The Onion Route
Triinu Akkermann

2. What is The Onion Route?
The Onion Route-
One region, two nationalities, three cultures.
The Onion Route is a network of entrepreneurs based
along the shore of Lake Peipus who aim at introducing,
preserving the variety, and providing experience tourism
in the mystical and multicultural region where they live.

4. Who are we?
• Local people, who love Lake Peipus region
• Network was established in 2009 in October
• Today 21 members (museums, guest houses,
restaurants, church, local handicraft
producers, onion growers, water-tourism
services, leisure activities, transport company)
• New potential members from the region

19. Our goals
• To introduce this mystical and multicultural
region to domestic and foreign tourists
• To offer great experiences through the
network cooperation
• To love the region
• To involve local people
• To maintain the diversity of the region
• To offer quality products and services

20. Our strenghts
• Our people
• Lake Peipus
• Three cultures and their heritage:
Russian Old-Believers, Estonian peasant culture, Baltic
German heritage
• Local resources- onions, fish, cranberries
• Ecological food
• Crazy ideas- water-reed island and harbour, Onion
Chopping and Cranberry Picking World
Championships

34. How to attract the members of a community not used
to hosting guests to cooperate in providing
tourism services?
• Leadership
• Trust between members and leaders
• Support- community members must feel that
you are there for them
• Consistency
• Involvment- let’s do together.
Together we are more effective!

35. How to attract the members of a community not used
to hosting guests to cooperate in providing
tourism services?
• Roundtable workshops, study tours
• Have to know your neighbours’ services
• Together learning- service quality, product
development etc.
• Members’ satisfaction- word-of-mouth
advertising
• Money- investments from the members step
by step

36. How can the already existing values of the region be
combined with the new ones in order to create
a perfect tourist itinerary?
• Networking, co-operation
• Involvment- community members who
know the stories, the history, the tradidions
• Product development- packages, events
based on the local culture and traditions
• Can’t be afraid to try new things or even a
bit crazy ideas

39. Welcome to the Onion Route!
• www.sibulatee.ee
• info@sibulatee.ee
• +372 5081232
(Triinu Akkermann)