Headquarters – Mikkeli Tourism Development Project
The lack of Russian tourists, the effects of the interest rate pandemic, rising costs and labour shortages have hampered the growth opportunities and internationalisation of tourism businesses in Mikkeli and the Saimaa region. This project aims to help businesses to get back on track for growth and internationalisation. The aim of the “Päämaja – Mikkeli Tourism Development” project is to create new vitality, new year-round jobs and investment in the region by generating new and sustainable tourism businesses based on Mikkeli’s own strengths – its history and cultural heritage. The project will improve SMEs’ capacity for growth, internationalisation, marketing and innovation. The project is implemented in cooperation between Miksei, a development company in Mikkeli, and the War and Peace Centre Muisti.
The actual target groups of the project are both international and domestic tourists who appreciate experiential historical and cultural tourism, the local way of life and the nature of the Saimaa region. The target group also includes tourism businesses and other local tourism operators in the Mikkeli region, as well as international partners and other stakeholders and authorities.
The project will launch the Mikkeli Tourism and Leisure Development Platform, create content and launch the Astuvansalmi Rock Art Guidance Centre in Ristiina, and make Mikkeli a leading place in Finland for military history and remembrance cultures. The project will strengthen international research and cooperation with the Prehistoric Rock Art Trails and Liberation Route Europe of the Council of Europe.
