Industrial tourism: Developing New Destinations in the Arctic

Micro-project ITinA targeted to enhance a new brand: Industrial tourism in the Arctic, based on the rich heritage of the Arctic regions, through building an international network and enhancing the development of the new innovative tourism services. The focus was on small and medium enterprises at partners’ implementation region in Finland, Sweden and Russia. It requires understanding and international cooperation to profiling the new industrial tourism destinations. ITinA project intended to develop the industrial tourism conception in the Arctic and apply its potential capacity. The partner network selected a number of industrial themes to be developed that bring the regions identity, history and industry expertise to the area. Specific emphasis was given to support structures, associations and businesses in the fields of circular economy, responsible industry, cultural heritage and food industry.

Though dialogues and discussions the project helped participated companies to get broader understanding of the industrial tourism concept. Even though, the market situation varies in different countries, companies have recognised the potential of international cooperation with neighbouring countries in Barents region for exchange of ideas and getting new ideas for developing own businesses. Companies understood the strong need for strengthening relationships between MSMEs and with other actors for further developments of local offerings. It is also important for local societies, since tourism industry actors are usually important contributors to value creation in social and economic lives of local communities. We have also found that there is a strong need for companies in support to build an effective network between MSMES and other actors. Despite well-developed support apparatus in some regions (tourist associations, regional and national financial supportive mechanisms) micro and small companies are not always able to use due to: - lack of competence and knowledge about how to use it; - lack of capacities (time and dedicated personnel); - lack of knowledge about approached how to use the industrial tourism concept for new business ideas development. The project developed an analysis of the action together with a preliminary action plan for development. It was recognized that innovation and experiences from participants facing similar challenges can be shared for the common benefit. The innovations can be communicated more effectively through a transnational Programme, where the SMEs link into expertise that is located in other countries, but with similar geographical challenges. This will add further value streams to SMEs and in that way assist their economic viability, especially greater effect in sparsely populated regions compared with more urbanized areas.