B) Benchmarking study trip to Finland – Activities, Sites & Experiences – Southern part of Bothnian Coastal Route
The Bothnian Coastal Route project aims to increase awareness of the coastal route around the Bothnian Bay and over the Kvarken strait as an attractive travel route for international tourists.
A main ambition of the project is to develop and promote new cross-border roundtrips and touring routes in the region, hopefully creating new reasons to travel, and driving business to the companies. The guiding star in our project is sustainability. If you haven’t seen it already, please check our new tool for sales and marketing towards international travel trade, the Bothnian Coastal Route marketing webpage, constantly evolving.
As a company operating in the area, you are an important key-player, being a significant part of the guest experience when traveling around the Bothnian Coastal Route region. Your offers and products are essential links in the chain that a travel package or tour program consists of, and that will be offered to and attract tour operators and travel companies around Europe. Therefore, we would like you to have the opportunity to network with other companies in the area, and we are now arranging the following bench marking study trips:
- A) Benchmarking study trip to Finland – Food & beverage, accommodation (for Swedish companies). For detailed program click this link.
- B) Benchmarking study trip to Finland – Activities, sites & experiences (for Swedish companies). Detailed information and registration below.
- C) Benchmarking study trip to Sweden – Activities, sites & experiences (for Finnish companies). For detailed program click this link.
- D) Benchmarking study trip to Sweden – Food & beverage, accommodation (for Finnish companies). For detailed program click this link.
Study trip to Finland – Activities, Sites & Experiences
Please note that the program is subject to changes
Register HERE
| Monday May 5th Pick-ups from Haparanda-Umeå | |||
| 12.00 | Wasaline ferry Umeå-Vaasa. Lunch on board, buffet, Archipelago menu. | ||
| 17.00 | Arrival to Vaasa, check in to Hotel Sokos Hotel Vaakuna. | ||
| 18.30 | Dinner Vaasa, Restaurant Hejm. To Hejm, a restaurant visit is a holistic experience. Besides a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, we like food made with love and based on traditional methods, with a modern touch. We just love to work with local producers. You´ll find many vegetarian, but naturally also fish and meat dishes on our menu. | ||
| Tuesday May 6th VAASA & KOKKOLA | |||
| 9.30 | Stundars visit. Stundars museum village in Korsholm is one of the largest open-air museums in all of Finland. The museum consists of multiple buildings, that were all relocated from villages in Korsholm and the Vaasa region. In the museum village there is a country shop, a village school, and a farmhouse, as well as many artisans’ workshops and crofters’ cottages. Stundars offers an extensive view into daily life during the turn of the of the 20th century, through guided tours in the museum buildings and the exhibits. At the museum village it is also possible to see work and handicrafts demonstrations, as well as take part in daily chores. | ||
| 11.30 | Tottesund Mansion. An idyllic manor from the 17th century. The mansion has an interesting history – e.g. the composer Jean Sibelius got married here in 1892. In the mansion there are several exhibitions, e.g. about Sibelius’ wedding, Maxmos first school and the Finnish Civil War. Additionally you can visit the mansions ghost The White Lady’s room on the third floor. In the nearby park is Herrgårdsleden (“the mansion trail”), a 4km long nature trail with several picnic areas and a barbeque hut close to the water. | ||
| 15.00 | NAAST/Café Bryggan. Welcome to Café Bryggan, the popular dock café and guest harbor in Öja archipelago village, Kokkola! At Café Bryggan, you can enjoy a unique atmosphere and stunning views while indulging in local delicacies. Our café offers not only delicious drinks and pastries but also an opportunity to relax and enjoy the sea breeze. Additionally, you can explore the history and culture of the Fishing Village by participating in a guided tour, where local residents share fascinating stories from the past and traditions. | ||
| 17.00 | Rödsön Poro-Pirtti. With the reindeer and goats pasturing near by the place gives an unforgettable experience for visitors. On guided tours visitors have a chance to meet the animals and even feed and hug them. The unique buildings tell their own story and are perfect for a relaxing coffee break. | ||
| 19.30 | Transfer to Kalajoki | ||
| 20.30 | Accommodation in Santas Hotel & Resort Sani Santas Hotels is a family-owned hotel chain with properties in Lapland and Kalajoki. The hotel in Kalajoki features rooms and apartments and it is linked to the adventure spa. The new restaurant, Välke, was opened in June 2024 and serves both accommodating guests and other visitors. In the summer you can access the restaurant from the dunes. Santas Hotel has Green Key certification and has achieved Sustainable Finland Travel label. | ||
| Wednesday May 7th KALAJOKI | |||
| 10.00-11:15 | Presentation of Safaritalo activities & ATV adventure Safaritalo’s roots are deep in the sands of Kalajoki. The company has about 80 activities in their offering, so there is something for every day of the year. Focus is on outdoor activities; summer water sports and adventures in the woods, river and archipelago. In the winter outdoors activities is all about exploring the great white, the forzen sea and tall snowy forests. Safaritalo also has accommodation, sauna and restaurant services. | ||
| 11:30-13:00 | Lunch in Tapion Tupa, short presentation of winter activities at Tapion Tupa. Traditional Tapion Tupa is like arriving at grandmother’s house. The popular lunch is a buffet of traditional dishes that can be found in local homes. Tapion Tupa also has accommodation in traditional cottages and some activities. The activities in winter have a touch of tradition and magic and we will get to know more about these during lunch. Tapion Tupa has HI-Quality & Sustainability certification and have achieved Sustainable Travel Finland-label. | ||
| 13:15-14:00 | Jukupark Water Adventure Park One of the best-known summer attractions in Kalajoki for families. JukuPark has a waterpark and many more adventurous attractions to fill a summer day or two. | ||
| 14.15-15:30 | Presentation of Surfcenter water sports activities Surfcenter’s summer service point is located on the beach in Kalajoki. The shallow beach is perfect for learning the basics of wind surfing. However, as the owner says ”it is easier to learn wind surfing in the winter as the water is not moving”. In addition to wind surfing Surfcenter provides other water sports during the summer months. | ||
| 16:00-18:00 | Linnakallio Village Sauna Linnakallio, located deep in the silent forest is a retreat for absorbing wellbeing from nature. The smoke sauna by the pond oozes traditional Finnish sauna culture and is beloved by locals. The sauna is heated twice weekly and in limited numbers, also travelers and visitors can take part in the village sauna. We will meet locals and the owner who will present the venue and her family legacy. Small snack and beverages are served at the sauna. | ||
| 19.30 | Beer tasting dinner in Sandy Kelt Sandy Kelt is an Irish bar serving gastro pub delights from mainly local tasty ingredients. The owner company Hiekkadyyni Oy has several restaurants in Kalajoki and is also partner in a coastal brewery, Kahakka. The beers are brewed from pure water and local grains. At beer tasting dinner we pair Kahakka brewery beers with gastro pub food. | ||
| Accommodation in Santas Hotel & Resort Sani | |||
| Thursday May 8th KALAJOKI & RAAHE | |||
| 09:30-10:30 | Presentation of Adventure Park Pakka The largest and most versatile adventure park in Europe is in a forest and stretching out to the beach of Kalajoki. Pakka has a lot to offer – also for company groups and in the wintertime. Website is in renewal and will be available in English and Swedish. | ||
| 10:30-11:00 | Transfer to Raahe | ||
| 11:00-12:00 | Presentation of Meri-Raahe. The company arranges sea excursions, fishing trips, island hopping cruises and other activities in the summer. In the winter fishing trips and excursions to the frozen sea are done, the most exotic tours being seal safaris. | ||
| 13:00-14:00 | Lunch in Liminka Bay and short introduction to Liminka Nature Center. Liminka is one of the most well known bird wetlands in Finland. | ||
| 14:00 | Transfer to Sweden |
For whom
Our plan is to offer a few study trips with different sectoral themes, covering different geographies in Sweden and Finland. These, our second study trips, are aimed for companies operating in the food & beverage and accommodation sector, and companies that are offering Activities and Experiences. These study trips are also aimed for companies who didn’t participate in our previous trips in September 2024.
The main ambition is to strengthen the attractiveness of BCR’s product range by offering inspiration for sustainable product development for companies on both sides of the Bothnian Bay.
Purpose
– inspiration from business models and innovation
– sustainable product development, exchange of ideas
– develop potential future collaboration
See the detailed programs for more information and register to the study trip of your choice.
Please note, we have a limited number of places, so please register latest by April 15th (binding notification).
Two persons per company, additional participants from the same company on request, subject to availability.
Price and registration fee: EUR 150 or equivalent sum in SEK per person per trip.
The price includes:
– all transfers as mentioned in the program
– meals and non-alcoholic beverages included in the program
– accommodation in single room as in the program
The price does not include:
– meals or beverages not mentioned in the program
Please note, communication and information made by companies during the study trip in Sweden will be made in English.
Possibility of bus pic-up on your destination, TBA in due time
For any questions, please contact your local destination
Erja Back, Visit Umeå
Destination: Umeå region
+46 (0)70 647 62 78
erja.back@visitumea.se
Bo Wikström, Visit Skellefteå
Destination: Skellefteå
+46 (0)70 597 7331
bo.wikstrom@visitskelleftea.se
Karin Åberg, Luleå Municipality
Destinations: Luleå, Piteå, Kalix, Haparanda
+46 (0)70 288 26 90
karin.aberg@lulea.se
Sari Kasvi, BusinessOulu
Destinations: Oulu, Raahe, Liminka,
Kempele, Hailuoto, Ii, Kemi, Tornio
+358 (0)40 724 9419
sari.kasvi@businessoulu.com
Jaana Sirkiä, City of Kalajoki
Destination: Kalajoki
+358 (0) 40 359 14 57
jaana.sirkia@kalajoki.fi
Peter Källberg, Vaasa Region Development Company VASEK
Destinations: Vaasa, Pietarsaari, Kokkola
+358 (0)40 844 2058
peter.kallberg@vasek.fi
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