Northern Gateway to Karelia – Internationalisation of Local Tourism
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The goal of the project was to develop and increase cooperation between Finnish and Russian tourism companies and their shared products and to develop marketing materials and implement marketing activities. Because product development was to be focused on international products also Central European travel agents were included in the project to assist in development.

Main activities

• Product development work • Production of “Wildlife in Finland” DVD, in cooperation with other project and ten companies • Production of marketing material for various sales events and fairs • Participation in European fair and sales events • Arrangement of four seminars in cooperation with other organizations • Arrangement of four orientation visits for representatives from the international press and foreign travel agencies to the project area.

Achievements

The companies engaged in product development work during the project primarily as a part of their own activities. However, some of the products/product packages were produced specifically by activities in the project, while others were produced in association with it. The activities were affected by changes in the operational environment, particularly in Russia, such as the expansion of the border region and changes in legislation for tourism companies. The project produced a Wildlife in Finland DVD, which presents the region in cooperation with other projects and ten companies, of which five were partner companies in the project. In addition, a light stand was designed and produced for use at various fair and sales events as marketing material. Participation in European fair and sales events was successful as planned. The project participated in various ways in four separate events in France, Spain, Germany, and England. In addition, the project took part in the international Wild Taiga event in Kuhmo. The project also conducted or was a partner in the implementation of four seminars. Participation at several fairs enabled cooperation with companies and other projects in progress. Four orientation visits for representatives from the international press and foreign travel agencies were organised to the project area. These visits were organised in cooperation with other projects, for example, the Thousand Lakes project. The visits increased awareness of the area, though it was still regarded as limited. The visits resulted in, for example, an article about Karelia being published in the Italian Gulliver magazine. The number of participating international project partners was reached as planned. Three German travel agents participated in project-related functions.