Project information below will be translated into English soon. In the meanwhile, if you are interested in the projects, please find us at the Contact us -page.
Does your company offer wellness, health, or pampering services? Do you transport people from place to place by land, air, or water? Can you provide part of the program offered to tourists? Can your kitchen serve delicacies even in the middle of the forest? Join us in developing your expertise into a tourism product, finding new partners, and enjoying the added visibility that Visit Raahe's channels offer your services! Read about the ongoing tourism development projects below and join us. For more information on Visit Raahe's joint marketing and partnership agreements, visit Tourism operators - Join Visit Raahe.
RAAHE REGION TOURISM MASTER PLAN AND INVESTMENT PLAN
With the help of the Master Plan and investment plan to be drawn up in the project, the Raahe region will be developed into a year-round, attractive tourist destination with well-known and accessible tourist attractions for both domestic and international tourists. The region's strengths and attractions will continue to be developed into exciting products that appeal to both domestic and international tourists and are competitive, sustainable, and profitable. Cooperation between municipalities and entrepreneurs in the project will increase mutual understanding that tourism is an important, growing, and profitable industry in the Raahe region, as well as an attractive employer. The project will bring knowledge about sustainable tourism and its development into the everyday lives of both the public sector and entrepreneurs, and this knowledge will also be communicated to the outside world. An action and investment plan will ensure that the plans are implemented.
The Raahe region's tourism Master Plan and investment plan will enable the next phase of the region's tourism development to proceed in a timely and systematic manner with all stakeholders. Companies, municipalities, and stakeholders will be able to anticipate the necessary measures and respond to the measures required for growth and development. Financiers will gain a good understanding of the investment needs of companies in the region, and entrepreneurs will be able to get their investments off the ground. The cooperation model, Master Plan, and investment plan developed during the project will be approved by municipal decision-making bodies and implemented.
The project implements the North Ostrobothnia regional program, the association's tourism strategy, municipal strategies, and plans from previous projects. The project takes into account and utilizes similar tourism development plans and ongoing projects that have already been implemented or are in the process of being implemented in the coastal region and the Oulu economic area.
The project's target groups are entrepreneurs in Raahe, Siikajoki, and Pyhäjoki, municipal officials and elected representatives, communities, other stakeholders, and companies establishing themselves in the region.
Contact and project information
Raahen seudun kehitys, Rantakatu 5 D, 2nd floor, 92100 Raahe
Operating period: May 1, 2022 - April 30, 2024
Funding: Supporting sustainable growth and vitality in regions (AKKE) North Ostrobothnia Regional Council 70%, regional self-financing 30%.
Project contact person: Terhi Eteläinen, tel. 040 130 3884 terhi.etelainen
raahe.fi
SMART AND INNOVATIVE TOURISM IN THE OULU REGION (STORe) PROJECT
The Smart and Innovative Tourism in the Oulu Region project is a group project involving the regions of Oulu and Liminka, the Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark, the Raahe region, and the Ii region, as well as the joint marketing company Oulun Matkailu Oy. The main target group for the project is tourism-related companies and other tourism operators in the region.
The common goals and key measures of the group project are 1) to draw up an international SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) development program for sustainable tourism in the region, 2) to develop innovative and transformative tourism products and services based on the region's natural and cultural attractions, and 3) to introduce a new regional knowledge management platform to increase knowledge management expertise and capabilities.
In addition to the common goals, each project partner has its own goals and measures. The main goals of the Raahe region sub-project are to develop sustainable nature and cultural tourism destinations in the Raahe, Siikajoki, and Pyhäjoki areas, developing tourism products that meet the criteria for sustainable tourism, and developing digital channels, operating models, and tools for tourism.
In the Raahe region, the main focus of destination development is the culturally and historically valuable wooden town area of Wanha Raahe. One of the measures of the project is to draw up a brand manual for the marketing of Wanha Raahe, which can be used in regional development, service productisation and marketing throughout the region. In addition to destination development, another key measure is to develop products related to nature and cultural tourism in the region in collaboration with operators, while increasing cooperation and expertise among tourism operators in areas such as service design, sustainable tourism, and marketing. The third significant measure is to test and pilot new products for different target groups and make the products easy to find and purchase through digital channels.
In addition, during the project, sustainable and innovative tourism will be developed in the Raahe region by following Visit Finland's Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) program path for sustainable tourism at the destination level. During the project, tourism operators in the region will be offered responsibility training and support to promote their own responsible tourism business.
Yhteys- ja hanketiedot
Raahen seudun kehitys, Rantakatu 5 D, 2. krs, 92100 Raahe
Hankekoodi: A80638
Toimintakausi: 1.9.2023 - 31.12.2025
Rahoittaja: Euroopan aluekehitysrahasto (EAKR), EU:n alue- ja rakennepolitiikan ohjelma, Uudistuva ja osaava Suomi 2021-2027
Hankkeessa mukana: Oulun kaupunki/Business Oulu, Oulun Matkailu Oy, Raahen kaupunki/Raahen seudun kehitys (Raahe, Siikajoki, Pyhäjoki), Humanpolis Oy/Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark, Iin Micropolis Oy, Limingan kunta
Ryhmähankkeen hallinnointi: Oulun kaupunki / Business Oulu
Ryhmähankkeen projektipäällikkö Iiris Kanniala, 040 4848 821, iiris.kannialabusinessoulu.com (iiris[dot]kanniala[at]businessoulu[dot]com)
Raahen osahankkeen hallinnointi: Projektipäällikkö Johanna Rautio, 040 130 8130, johanna.rautioraahe.fi (johanna[dot]rautio[at]raahe[dot]fi)
LAKU - LAAKSOSTA KUKKULOILLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
LAKU - Laaksoista kukkuloille - project "Visibility for rural tourism through digitalization and productization" (operating period 1.9.2021-30.9.2023) focused on improving the competitiveness of micro and small and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism sector in Northern Ostrobothnia improving competitiveness, renewing operations, and developing products in line with new needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and Visit Finland's criteria for sustainable development and internationalization. The project will be implemented in cooperation with the North Ostrobothnia Regional Council, the North Ostrobothnia Regional Council's tourism development unit, and the North Ostrobothnia Regional Council's tourism development unit.
The most significant themes of the project were internationalization and the need to increase the digitalization of the tourism industry and the digital capabilities of its operators. The main objective of the project was to improve the attractiveness, visibility, accessibility, and affordability of tourism services produced by companies. The project measures included workshops for tourism operators, which were mainly implemented as functional webinars utilizing virtual facilitation methods and peer review and development.
Contact and project information
Raahen seudun kehitys, Rantakatu 5 D, 2nd floor, 92100 Raahe
Project code: A77595
Operating period: September 1, 2021 - September 30, 2023
Funding: European Structural and Investment Funds - ERDF. The project is funded as part of the European Union's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project management: University of Oulu, Kerttu Saalasti Institute
Project manager Ulla Lehtinen, tel. +358 50 4761 624 ulla.lehtinenoulu.fi
Raahen seudun kehitys (Raahen seudun kehitys): Terhi Eteläinen, tel. +358 40 130 3884 terhi.etelainenraahe.fi
The project involved: Raahe Region Development (Raahe, Siikajoki, Pyhäjoki, Nivala-Haapajärvi Region NIHAK ry, Kattilakoski Cultural Cooperative, Kärsämäki Municipality, and the Kerttu Saalasti Foundation.
PYÖRÄLLÄ KUUHUN - CYCLING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Summary of objectives
- Developing the main cycling routes in the Liminka and Raahe regions to make them more attractive from a tourism perspective, while also promoting local exercise opportunities for the population.
- Strengthening the vitality of nature tourism-related businesses and creating new business opportunities.
Contact and project information
Siiri Sarias, Project Coordinator siiri.sariasraahe.fi, tel. +358 40 130 8237
Implementers: Raahe Region Development and Liminka Municipality
Project type: Rural services, development
Funding: North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Total estimated cost: €254,640, of which €229,176 is EU and state funding
Project management: Municipality of Liminka
Project manager Katariina Huikari katariina.huikariliminka.fi tel. +358 40 194 8357
Implementation period: January 3, 2022–December 31, 2023
VEDEN ÄÄRELLÄ TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
The themes of the Waterfront project were nature, fishing, and hunting tourism; sports and wellness tourism; industrial tourism; and event tourism. The region's appeal draws on and is profiled in its tourism offering according to its natural strengths: the nature of the sea, archipelago, and riverbanks; the history of seafaring and trade; and the vibrant city and village culture.
The project created and developed cooperation between companies, associations, and other actors and stakeholders in the tourism sector, developed the productization of services and the promotion of tourism investments, and joint marketing. The Waterfront project implemented a broader development plan for selected tourist destinations or themes to promote the creation and development of tourism services and tourism investments.
During seminars and workshops, regional tourism service providers got to know each other and familiarized themselves with the services available in the region. The aim of the workshops was to create new tourism product packages for the region and to provide training in areas such as productization, service design, and digital marketing. During the Veden äärellä project, seminars and workshops were offered to companies and communities already operating in the tourism sector, as well as to those interested in joining it. All ideas for developing tourism were welcomed, and the development ideas were wide-ranging.
During the Veden äärellä project, numerous workshops and networking events were held. The following tourism brochures and tourism plans were produced as outputs of the project:
Visit Raahe experience packages for groups
Raahen seudun matkailumarkkinoinnin sisältösuunnitelma (Raahen seudun matkailumarkkinoinnin sisältösuunnitelma)
Pyhäjoen matkailusuunnitelma (Pyhäjoen matkailusuunnitelma) (pdf, not accessible)
Industrial tourism development plan (pdf, not accessible)
Siikajoki tourism development plan (pdf)
The Waterfront project is managed by Raahe Region Development (City of Raahe, Municipality of Pyhäjoki, Municipality of Siikajoki). The project was funded by the European Union and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as well as the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia.
Operating period: April 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020
REGIONAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF TOURISM RESEARCH SUMMER 2022
In the summer of 2022, a study was conducted in the Raahe region on the regional economic impact of tourism. The study consisted of a survey of tourists and data utilizing geographic information.
You can view the material here: Background and results of the study (pdf) | Feedback received in the survey (pdf) | Visit Raahe Morning coffee with tourism recording 11.11.2022 presentation section without discussions (duration approx. 20 min. |
For more information and help interpreting the material, please contact Tourism Manager Terhi Eteläinen at terhi.etelainenraahe.fi or on +358 40 130 3884.
JOIN US IN DEVELOPING AND GROWING
JOIN US IN DEVELOPING AND GROWING
The development work involves various measures as well as organizing events and workshops for tourism operators. The measures are actively communicated on the Raahen seudun matkailun kehittäminen Facebook page. All members of the Visit Raahe network are informed about the projects as part of Visit Raahe's communications activities. The support and activities are intended for all current and future tourism operators in Raahe, Siikajoki, and Pyhäjoki, as well as those interested in developing the industry. Follow the announcements, come and talk to us, invite us to visit, and let's get excited together :)