Overall and specific objectives of the project

The overall objective of the project is to increase inbound tourism at Kainuu, Kuusamo Regions and the Republic of Karelia by creating new, high quality tourist products that meet the requirements of the modern customer from Russia, Finland or Central Europe. Being a part of a network, new travel products  and services  can  in  turn  be  marketed  as  new trans-border  Touristic Routes  which  facilitate the trans-border visit enhancing the attractiveness of the regions within domestic market and act as an add for foreign tourists. This will be implemented by co-operation between active tourism entrepreneurs on both sides of the border the focus being in the joint development of services and products as well as joint marketing actions and novel marketing methods (e-solutions, social media).

Specific objectives

• to tighten co-operation and networking between tourist service companies in Kainuu and Oulu Regions and the Republic of Karelia in order to facilitate the development of joint  products and services as well as to promote understanding of the quality and safety requirements of customers and travel agents

• to promote the branding and marketing of the area along "White Road" and of the new cross -border tourism  products  by  creating  a  new  marketing  name  and  identity  for  the  tourism  services  in  the  area

• to develop professional competencies of personnel of tourism companies in the project area

• to enhance the co-operation and exchange of information between entrepreneurs, officials at local and regional level

• to facilitate both small- and large scale investments in the tourism infrastructure.