On March 12, 2025, representatives from local municipalities and partner organizations gathered in Tartu for the second local-level meeting of the Tourism4SDG project. The event offered participants a chance to learn about the project’s ongoing activities and explore the current state of tourism in Tartumaa.
The meeting served as an important forum for discussing the future of tourism policy in Tartu County. One of the central topics was the upcoming Tartu County Development Strategy 2040, for which preparations are set to begin in the autumn of 2025, with active work starting in the spring. Participants also reviewed best practices shared during the recent Tourism4SDG partner meeting in Lublin, Poland.
Marleen Viidul, a sustainability expert, presented a comprehensive overview of the tourism sector in Tartumaa, developed specifically for the project. Her presentation highlighted the unique characteristics of the region’s tourism landscape and the structure of its tourism network, while also drawing attention to several key challenges. These include limited transport connectivity—such as having only one regular air route and weak links to Riga—low international visibility, uneven service quality and availability, and a general lack of clear priorities and strategic direction for sustainable tourism development at the county level. Another concern raised was the limited engagement and capacity of some municipalities to actively contribute to tourism planning and investment.
The meeting emphasized that one of the most important steps for improving sustainable tourism in the region is to align development efforts with the South Estonia Tourism Development Strategy, while also ensuring that local development plans include clearly defined sustainability goals and measurable indicators. In addition, participants underscored the need to enhance cooperation across municipalities and create better opportunities for sharing successful practices.
Overall, the gathering offered valuable insights and momentum for shaping a more coordinated, future-oriented approach to tourism development in Tartumaa—one that places sustainability at the heart of long-term regional growth.
For more information contact: Miia Maris Praks, Sustainable Tourism Coordinator, miia.praks@visittartu.com
