10.02.2025
Towards a sustainable and competitive future for tourism
Northern Ostrobothnia is a treasure trove for tourists, combining unique nature experiences, rich cultural heritage and various destinations and services all year round. Northern Ostrobothnia is also an excellent MICE tourist destination and a forerunner in educational tourism, and much more. The region's tourism is boldly heading towards the future, towards sustainable growth.
The tourism strategy for Northern Ostrobothnia was updated during 2024 in cooperation in cooperation with the regional tourism development group. The work was strongly based on the previous strategy work, in which the region's tourism stakeholders were extensively involved. This updated regional strategy, adopted by the the Board of the Regional Assembly in November 2024, will guide the development of regional tourism until 2027.
In Northern Ostrobothnia, tourism development is carried out in a regionally driven manner, and the regional tourism strategy serves as a regionally integrative strategy. Regional Tourism Organisations (DMOs), which promote regional brands, play a key role in working closely in cooperation with regional tourism companies, municipalities and cities, regional development companies and tour stakeholders. The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region supports the development of tourism by supporting tourism strategies and tourism development projects. The Regional Assembly promotes interregional cooperation and promotes interests. The regional tourism development group, consisting of representatives of the regions, acts as a regional tourism expert group, whose activities are coordinated by the Regional Assembly. The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region also acts as the coordinator of the tourism policy area of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region in cooperation in cooperation with the Pomorski region of Poland. The aim of the co-ordination work is to strengthen the development of responsible tourism in the Baltic Sea region, create networks and strengthen the dialogue between the tourism industry's stakeholders.
The development of tourism is long-term work, and strengthening competitiveness, accessibility and responsibility are at the core of development in Northern Ostrobothnia. The cross-cutting areas of development are cooperation and digitalization.
From the point of view of competitiveness, strengthening companies' internationalisation capabilities and know-how, as well as ensuring a sufficient workforce, are key elements. Developing accessibility is crucial: For us to be attractive, destinations need to be easily reached and travel chains need to work smoothly. Responsibility is the cornerstone of our strategy – from an economic, environmental and social point of view. Visit Finland's Sustainable Travel Finland programme provides companies and destinies in cooperation with the tools to develop sustainable tourism and adopt practices. The county already has a delightful number of STF-labelled companies, and in addition to this, a special pride is the STF-label awarded to Oulu - the first of the largest cities in Finland.
Tourism brings vitality, attraction and traction to the region, attractive products services - not only for visitors, but also for us who live here. The development of tourism relies on strong cooperation between different stakeholders, together we are more. Together, we can make Northern Ostrobothnia an even more attractive and sustainable destination where tourists thrive and our region flourishes.
Read more about Northern Ostrobothnia's tourism strategy here.
