Northern Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum 2025
Welcome to the Northern Ostrobothnia Tourism Forum!
The region's most significant seminar on tourism brings together tourism companies, developers and decision-makers to discuss current themes and future opportunities in the sector. Come and hear how the demand for tourism, rising trends and Oulu's Capital of Culture year can boost tourism in the region!
Themes of the day:
- Opportunities for the Oulu Capital of Culture year: Let's make restaurant selection and food culture a stronger part of tourism experiences!
- Accessibility and new connections: Improved international accessibility – how to make the new connections work and continue beyond the year of the title
- The North is interested in: How do we meet the needs of international tour stakeholders together in Northern Ostrobothnia? More experiences and content to buy are needed!
Registration by 10 November: www.lyyti.in/matkailufoorumi2025
Programme
8.15 Morning coffee and registration
9.00 Opening words of the event
9.05 Opening remarks
Jussi Rämet, Regional Director, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
9.15 Promoting food tourism in Finland – project selections and results of image research Terhi Hook, Manager, Industry development, Visit Finland
9.35 Food as part of Lapland's experience
Petri Selander, Chairperson, Lapland Chefs
9.50 Company case
10.15 Break
10.30 Arctic Food Lab as a promoter of local food culture
Pasi Ruuskanen, Project Manager, Oulu2026
10.45 Oulu2026 highlights of the year of the Capital of Culture
Samu Forsblom, Programme Director, Oulu2026
11.00 The story of northern flavours, Arctic Food Lab
11.10 Lunch, self-financed
12.20 Current news from tourism areas
– Kalajoen Hiekkasärkät Oy, CEO Janne Anttila
– Ruka-Kuusamo Tourism Regional Assembly, Janne-Juhani Haarma, President and CEO
– Rokua Geopark, Humanpolis Oy, CEO Mikko Kiuttu
– Feed Tourism Regional Assembly, Veinalotta Terentjeff, Chairman of the Board
13.00 airBaltic - Opening doors to and from Europe
Jan Nyholm, Nordic Sales Manager, airBaltic
13.15 Discover - New connection to Frankfurt - Opportunities and tourist flows
Markus Issakainen, Account Manager, Lufthansa Group
13.30 Coffee break
14.10 Bothnian coastal area as a destination
Rüdiger Lohf, Founder & Senior Advisor, Best of Scandinavia Incoming AS
14.40 Accelerating international tourism trade
Jari Auranen, Elämys Group Oy and Jaakko Löppönen, Icebreaking DMC
15.05 Visit Northern Finland – a stronger regional brand
Y.T. Kivisaari, Oulu Tourism Ltd
15.20 Closing remarks and summary of the event
15.30 End of the event
The event will be held at Hotel Lasaret in Oulu, but you can also participate remotely via stream. Sign up to network, get inspired and develop tourism together!
The event is organized by BusinessOulu, Oulu Chamber of Commerce, Oulu Tourism Ltd and the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region together in cooperation in cooperation with Oulu Cultural Foundation/Oulu2026.
Additional information:
Anna-Maija Toivonen
Tel. +358 40 685 4022
anna-maija.toivonen@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
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