Creation of new tourism products has started

In the framework o f the RUNAT project (KA300) we have organized two training seminars on tourism product development in the regions of Olonets, Petrozavodsk and Medvezhegorsk. The training program consists of the basics of product development, quality factors, security factors, standards for services, creation of cooperation and marketing networks and an analysis of existing tourism products. According to the feedback of the entrepreneurs and representatives of local administrations the training has been very useful and practical. They have got information and tools for improving existing services and developing new ones.

In addition to the training seminars the participants took part in the benchmarking trip in North Karelia and North Savo in March. During the five days the participants got acquainted with the services of several rural and nature tourism enterprises, e.g. accommodation, catering, nature activities, adventures and experiences, wildlife observation and photography and presentation of cultural heritage. Also Karelia Expert Tourist Services, Kuopio Region Tourist Services and Tahko Region Tourist Services introduced their regional cooperation and marketing actions.

During the benchmarking the discussions between the Finnish and Russian entrepreneurs were profitable. They discussed the possibilities to develop tourism business and the best practices of product development. The Russian entrepreneurs got a chance to test services and analyze security and quality factors of the services, marketing actions and benefits of the networks between local entrepreneurs. They got not only answers to their questions about tourism business but also new ideas to create tourism products.

In April the Russian participants started to create new tourism products together. The trainers will comment on their plans and the participants will test ideas in practice during the summer. In autumn the trainers will consult in the areas and test new products. Also the participants are willing to consult each other. May the inspiration and creativity flow!

Satu Karhapää-Puhakka, Project Manager

Aducate, Centre for Training and Development

University of Eastern Finland

www.aducate.fi/runat

KA299: Greetings from Sortavala TOP 2013 - international tourism fair!

Partners of project KA299 (Karelia - Developing Competitive tourism resort with collaborative platform) arranged  the fourth international Sortavala TOP 2013 –tourism fair in Sortavala on 6^th April 2013. The head organizer of the fair was Karelian regional public organization supporting tourism.

Tourist season in the Republic of Karelia starts in May, that is why a tourism fair on the eve of the season is a great opportunity to get new ideas, new partners and interesting suggestions from colleagues and  learn prospects from competitors.

Finnish project partners, Central Karelia Development Company KETI and Pielinen Karelia Development Center PIKES, marketed the fair in North Karelia with success. The amount of Finnish presenters and visitors increased significantly from the previous year.

The project offered  tourism enterpreneus in North Karelia the opportunity to participate in the fair presenting their products either on the stands of the project or getting a stand of their own. They were also offered a chance to have their brochures on the stands of the project. Tens of enterpreneurs utilized the option to communicate with Russian potential customers on the spot.  

In addition to Finnish project partners Karelia Expert Tourist Service Ltd. and North Karelia College of Further Education in Nurmes, there were representatives of  several Finnish tourism companies from Joensuu, Kitee, Lieksa, Nurmes and other towns in Central and Pielinen Karelia.

There were 42 exhibitors and over 700 visitors in Sortavala TOP 2013 – tourism fair.
Next year, Sortavala TOP 2014  will become even more internationalized and expanded, thanks to productive cooperation of project partners on both sides of the border!  

More information and photos of Sortavala TOP 2013 –tourism fair:  www.sortavalatop.ru

Eila Lintunen
project coordinator
eila.lintunen@pikes.fi

Starting a project, like starting a new “organization”

In February 2013 Eastern Finland Sports Institute started a Karelia ENPI CBC Cross-Border Move for Health -project. Purpose of the project is to increase wellbeing and health of children and youth in North Karelia and in the Republic of Karelia, with cross-border cooperation.

For the Cross-Border Move for Health -project first three months has been quite “business as usual”; just normal things when launching a new project. This has included recruiting new staff, getting familiar with the Grant Application; cost estimate of the project, objectives, activities, expected results, partners and so on, as well as the Programme manual and the Communication and Visibility Manual. Actually this is quite like starting a new “organization”. There are so many new points to take into account.

Just trust the process

We all know that every project has its start, middle and end, and that all of these phases has its own importance during the project. I think there are some basic recommendations which are worth consideration in the different phases of projects. On the other hand there are certain instructions from the Joint Managing Authority on launching the project, such as drafting partnership agreements and publicity plan as well as setting up a project group. On the other hand there are some common and good practices which are worth consideration. In addition to the above a good way of starting a project includes in my opinion:

Meeting partners face to face;

The main purpose is to get to know each other.

The project began in Petrozavodsk by meeting partners. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss expectations, responsibilities and roles of the partners, as well as how to implement project activities. As a cross-border project it is very important to communicate open-mindedly and to listen to and respect each others’ opinions from the very start.

Concretizing activities as much as possible

Concretizing project activities helps at least drafting a publicity plan and concretizing a budget.

However, many times it is not possible to concretize all activities in details in the beginning. For  example in this project the second activity, the results of initial situation examination, has an effect on following coming activities, publishing and seminars. Then one just has to wait for the results and meanwhile concretize and implement other activities.

 Checking up and concretizing budget in all activities

This is just necessary to make sure and know how much budget there is to spend in every single step of every activity. This helps to plan and implement all following activities.

Finally, just trust the process – there is always start, middle and end!

Have a nice summer implementing projects and spending a holiday :)

Katja Isoaho

Project Manager

You can read more about the project here: www. healthmove.fi