Tourism and recreation
Vision 2030
Local operators will further develop the recreational use of marine areas, as well as tourism services and their accessibility, in a sustainable way taking specific characteristics of the areas into consideration. Particular pull factors include nature, experiences and authenticity.
The graph illustrates the main operations of the sector in the different zones of the marine area today and in 2030
Description
The archipelago, coastal regions and marine areas are key in terms of the recreational use of nature and tourism. The most diverse range of tourism and recreation services is provided close to the coast, but tourism and recreation activities are targeted at all zones of the marine area.
The most important recreational activities are hiking, swimming, boating and other water-based activities, fishing and hunting (water birds and seals), as well as spending time on the beach and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Summer cottages are another significant form of recreation. More than 90% of Finnish summer cottages are located near natural waterways.. Key tourist destinations in marine and archipelago areas include national parks and various cultural environments, for example. Nature tourism, including hunting and fishing tourism, is an important form of archipelago and coastal tourism (B42). Coastal regions are one of Finland’s national tourism themes (B38). In 2017, coastal regions and the archipelago (excluding the Helsinki Metropolitan Area) represented 16% of all overnight stays in Finland.
The status of the marine environment has a significant impact on the preconditions for recreation and the tourism industry. The good status of the marine environment promotes tourism and recreational opportunities through experiences offered by pristine nature, for example. In addition, recreational fishing and fishing tourism, among other activities, are dependent on sustainable fish stocks.
The basic preconditions for tourism include interesting destinations and awareness of these, as well as the accessibility of destinations, transport connections and the service infrastructure (B11, B42, B33). A generally stable security and economic situation creates a framework for the tourism industry. Recreational use requires sufficient recreational and natural areas, as well as accessibility and routes. Free, accessible shoreline areas play an important role in terms of the recreational use of beaches. Taking sensitive marine areas into account and coordinating activities with local natural, cultural and landscape values is a precondition for tourism and recreational activities.
Roadmap
A well-functioning infrastructure serves the tourism and recreational sector
– The accessibility of coastal regions and the archipelago is examined from the perspective of tourism development
– Transport and logistics innovations are used to safeguard services and residence in the archipelago and coastal regions
– Preparations are made with year-round tourism and accessibility in mind
– Infrastructure is also developed to support new forms of tourism
– Local and cultural and marine environments are commercialised sustainably
A well-functioning infrastructure serves the tourism and recreational sector
– Distinct tourism profiles are created for the various areas
– The development of coastal regions and the archipelago is supported by establishing a development centre coastal regions and the archipelago, for example.
Sustainable development of the tourism industry
– The most important and suitable areas for tourism and recreation are identified, as well as the restrictions related to their use. Tourism is steered towards these accessible and durable areas and towards natural sites
– Existing destinations are developed sustainably
– Sustainable tourism concepts are developed, defined and implemented
– International cooperation is increased with regard to the regulation and stricter control of cruise ships (incl. harbour and fairway dues).
Tourism operators form a well-functioning cooperation network with each other and with other operators
– Cooperation between tourism businesses is supported, as well as the coordination of their operations.
– Cooperation with fishers, logistics, cultural operators and wind energy operators is increased (accommodation needs of construction and maintenance).
Close international cooperation
– Closer cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic Sea countries with regard to tourism development and sustainable growth
Tourism business operations are encouraged and supported as applicable
– More favourable conditions for tourism operations (incl. the development of transport connections and infrastructure)
– Needs for the recreational use of the sea are taken into account in the planning of shorelines (incl. natural harbours and landing sites)
Successful use of technological development in the sector
– Location information that is related to and supports the vision is provided (Finnish Environment Institute, Finnish Heritage Agency, etc.)
– Information related to the sector is made accessible and kept up to date
Background information
Synergies and conflicts
View the Synergies and conflicts table for all industries.
Ecosystem services
The tourism and recreation sector uses at least the following ecosystem services provided by the marine ecosystem:
– Cultural services: experiences, inspiration, maritime landscape
– Production services: fish stocks, local food, local energy
– Maintenance and regulation services: processes, habitats and biodiversity that maintain the marine environment
– The most important factor affecting the availability of exploited ecosystem services is the good status of the marine environment, especially the conditions it creates for the production of maintenance and regulation services.
(For more information on ecosystem services, see report B42 on the premises of maritime spatial planning, for example)
Trends
– National and international tourism is increasing in Finland. Tourism in marine areas, the archipelago and coastal regions is based on key pull factors: local nature and cultural environments, peace, quality, experiences and authenticity.
– The accessibility and transport chains of tourism and recreational services and destinations are improving and run more smoothly. Well-functioning and safe shipping lanes and routes on land and sea ensure access to the sites. Low-threshold access to the sea is increased for various user groups.
– The main focus of tourism and recreational use is on coastal regions and the inner archipelago, while the open sea and the outer archipelago are particularly important as special destinations for a smaller number of users.
– Through corporate networking and the use of digital services and tools, tourism services form accessible entities that take the various high seasons into account.
– The accessibility of underwater cultural heritage and natural sites is improved, and the related tourism and recreational use increase.
– Tourism is more closely linked to other sectors, such as fishing, hunting, nature conservation and cultural heritage.
– Growing tourism and recreational use requires successful coordination with the carrying capacity of natural and cultural environments in coastal regions.
– Climate change may affect the preconditions for and the popularity of tourism.