The National Parks Administration (APN) promotes innovative management that strategically combines conservation and tourism.With actions like reforestationTHE reintroduction of species and the improvement of tourist infrastructurethe organism tries to convert the National parks in enduring destinations that finance its mission to protect 18 million hectares of unique nature.
our management in the organization is dedicated to the synergistic growth of conservation and tourism, we believe that only in this way we will be able to enhance the National Parks – previously stated Cristian Larsen, President of the National Parks Administration (APN) – for years the general idea was that tourism degraded nature and that protected areas shoudl therefore be kept in a pristine state. Storing was not using. To preserve meant to prohibit.On the contrary,we work on active conservation,where conserving is not not doing or not touching,but rather restoring what has deteriorated due to human action or natural accidents. This is why we promote concrete actions, ranging from reforestation of areas affected by fires to the reintroduction of species at risk of extinction. On the other hand, the development of the parks also involves tourism, putting them in a position to offer a pleasant and quality experience to those who visit us.
When we started managing them we found completely abandoned parks, with poor services and no controls. To reverse this situation, we are working on a process of prioritizing the tourism offer, developing new products and improving existing ones. If we enhance our parks and offer tourists the best experience possible, we will also generate the authentic resources necessary for our fundamental task, the conservation of the 18 million hectares in our care.
The National Parks Administration that gave us Kirchnerism raised only 25% of its operating budget and the rest was provided by the National Treasury, with popular taxes. One of our main goals is for APN to become a sustainable organization in 2027 and, in this way, generate its own resources for conservation.
Strategies to improve the tourist offer
Since we started management,we have been working on an aspiring plan to prioritize the tourist offer,in which we have surveyed in detail the existing offer in each park,and we are working on the development of new tourist products such as astrotourism,birdwatching or camper tourism,among others.
We have already organized large-scale tourist events, which involved several protected areas, such as the Big Day (large global birdwatching event) in 35 National Parks, or the Eclipse of Patagonia (a tourist proposal around the eclipse observed during the Patagonia on October 2) in the national parks of Patagonia and the Petrified Forest.
We are also working to develop areas that have great potential such as Victoria Island, Ciervo de los Pantanos or the Tierra del Fuego National Park, with the aim of promoting sustainable tourism products from an environmental, social, cultural and economic, positioning and prioritizing at a national level.Parks as a tourist destination,and contribute to the economic self-sustainability of the National Parks,taking into account that we have inherited a situation in which the APN collected only 25% of what was necessary for its operation (the rest were contributions from the Treasury,i.e.popular taxes) and which we seek to reverse by 2027, making the organization 100% self-sufficient.
Southern Glacier: another vision, another way
We invite you to live a unique experience, offering you the opportunity to discover the other side of Patagonia, the one that few know
Pioneers combines nature and history, taking you to nibepo Aike Ranch, a pioneer ranch, where you can learn how the first settlers lived. After lunch we will sail to the Perito Moreno glacier and walk through the forest until we reach Playa Las Monedas, a glacier viewpoint reached only by Pioneros. We conclude the tour with a visit to the Park walkways.
Adventure This is a trek for the more adventurous,to discover the most remote corners of the south of the park. You’ll pass through forests, glacial valleys and lakes, crossing Lago Frías by boat until you reach the impressive Laguna Frías Superior, surrounded by icebergs, with views of the Dickson, Cubo and Grande glaciers.
Contact us for more information:
Mail: [email protected]
Whatsapp: +54 (2966) 270-637
Instagram: @glaciarsurpatagonia
web page: Southern Glacier
ECOTOURISM
We want to be the destination par excellence for ecotourism on a global level – continues Cristian Larsen -. our National Parks stretch across the country, with more than 18 million hectares of protected areas and boast the most beautiful landscapes in the world, so we have what we have. Argentina’s national parks are world-famous for their breathtaking landscapes, which include spectacular glaciers the size of entire cities, the world’s most recognized waterfalls, red sandstone cliffs, multi-colored lakes, lush rainforests and beckoning mountains. hundreds of locals and foreign visitors,among others,offering unique experiences that leave a lasting impression on visitors.
As regards visits, we are convinced that tourism can be developed without this being at the expense of conservation. We try to strengthen the relationship between tourism and conservation, transforming it into a virtuous synergy already successfully tested in other places in the world: conservation is not prohibition, but ensuring that our parks function as naturalistic tourism scenarios that raise awareness among their visitors of their care for and collaborate in the maintenance and permanent improvement of each hectare. Bringing people closer to our natural treasures is essential to encouraging their protection.
CATAMARAN PATAGONIA ARGENTINA
We sail every day on Lake Nahuel Huapi and visit the Myrtle Forest, with our guides and all the information and curiosities of this fantastic tour.
Contact: +54 9 294 431 8445 | [email protected] | Facebook
VISION AND STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE
the president of the APN shares with us his vision and his commitment towards the future and valorisation of the parks – Since we began managing them, we have focused on strengthening the link with the private sector and with all the actors that impact the body. The commitment to collaboration and continuous dialogue means that, currently, the National Parks have their doors open to proposals from the tourism sector, in pursuit of a common interest: conserving nature and offering new experiences to visitors. Furthermore, we are generating a modern and flexible request format with a breadth of ideas and projects that allow areas of public use to be converted into an remarkable space, which meets new modalities of tourism demand within the criteria of sustainable tourism . With these tools, the next big step will be to enhance and develop areas with great tourism potential such as Isla Victoria in Nahuel Huapi, the Ciervo de los Pantanos National Park, the Tierra del Fuego National Park or El Chaltén, just to name a few . . The challenges are many and great. Therefore, in this journey we aspire not to be alone. We are convinced that achieving true development and achieving good management is only possible if you work strategically,receiving ideas,listening and setting common objectives. The view that corporations are the enemies of National Parks is over.-
Read more about Argentina’s national parks and protected areas at National parks
Interview: Creating Synergy Between Conservation and tourism in National Parks
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news,where we explore impactful changes in various fields. Today, we’re joined by Cristian Larsen, the President of the National Parks Administration (APN). Cristian, thank you for being here!
Cristian Larsen: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an significant topic.
Interviewer: Your organization promotes innovative management of national parks, aiming to seamlessly blend conservation efforts with tourism.Can you elaborate on this approach?
Cristian Larsen: Absolutely. For years, there was a prevailing belief that tourism harms nature, leading to the idea that protected areas should remain untouched. However, we’ve shifted our mindset to active conservation.This means not just preserving but also restoring the natural environment that has suffered from human interference or natural disasters. By promoting initiatives like reforestation and species reintroductions, we can rejuvenate our parks while simultaneously enriching the tourist experience.
Interviewer: It’s interesting to hear about this proactive strategy. What specific actions has the APN taken to revamp the national parks?
cristian larsen: Initially, we found many parks in disrepair, with inadequate services and limited visitor management. We’ve focused on enhancing infrastructure and developing new tourist offerings, such as astrotourism and birdwatching. Recently, we organized events like the Big Day, a global birdwatching initiative, across 35 parks, and the Eclipse of Patagonia, which attracted large crowds. These events not only foster a love for nature but also help fund our conservation efforts.
Interviewer: Speaking of funding, you mentioned that previously, the APN only covered 25% of its operating budget through its own revenue. What steps are being taken to improve financial sustainability?
Cristian Larsen: Our goal is to become a completely self-sustainable organization by 2027. To achieve this, we are focusing on enhancing the visitor experience to attract more tourism revenue, which will directly support conservation initiatives. By leveraging our parks’ unique offerings and improving facilities, we aim to create enduring destinations that can generate authentic resources needed for our critical mission of protecting 18 million hectares of unique nature.
Interviewer: That’s an aspiring plan! Can you tell us more about some of the eco-tourism products you’re developing?
Cristian Larsen: Certainly! We are exploring various eco-tourism products that cater to diverse interests. For example, in addition to established activities, we are prioritizing areas with potential, like Victoria Island and Tierra del Fuego National Park, to promote activities that align with environmental, social, cultural, and economic sustainability.Our vision is to position these parks not only as tourist attractions but as integral parts of the local communities’ livelihoods.
Interviewer: It sounds like the APN is redefining what it means to visit a national park. How can potential tourists get involved with your initiatives?
Cristian Larsen: We encourage everyone to explore our parks and participate in the unique experiences we offer! Whether it’s enjoying guided tours that combine adventure with education or simply visiting for a day of hiking and wildlife watching, every visit contributes to the conservation of our natural resources. More facts can be found on our website, and we also invite tourists to follow us on our social media platforms for the latest updates on events and opportunities.
Interviewer: Thank you, Cristian, for providing such insight into the vital relationship between conservation and tourism in national parks. It’s inspiring to see how proactive efforts can lead to sustainable outcomes for both nature and visitors.
Cristian Larsen: Thank you for having me. It’s critical that we all understand the importance of protecting our natural heritage while enjoying it. I appreciate the possibility to share our mission with your audience.
Interviewer: We appreciate your time and dedication to this critically important cause. we will continue to follow the APN’s journey towards achieving its ambitious goals!