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New Nordic – Exploring the new Tourism possibilities

The project aims to reach high-profile international customers and promote the international sales of New Nordics products through tour operators and online travel agencies (OTAs). Based on market research, the United States and Japan have been selected as the project’s target markets. The selection was based on how well visitor profiles in these markets align with the project’s objectives.

Destinations on the eastern side of the Baltic Sea have been particularly affected by the decline in Russian tourists since the start of the war in Ukraine. This project provides an opportunity to significantly boost the sales of tourism products that can compensate for the lost Russian demand by strengthening cooperation among a wider range of regional stakeholders.

The name “New Nordic” refers to intriguing new destinations in Northern Europe that are still largely unknown to international travelers, and to the opportunity to diversify tourism offerings in the Baltic Sea region. The project’s main focus is on reaching target groups and implementing direct sales activities, such as trade fairs and sales events. In addition, familiarization trips (fam trips) and media visits will be organized.

The project promotes collaboration with tour operators interested in offering the “New Nordics” experience, providing travelers with new and exotic experiences. Tourism sales will be supported by establishing agreements between tour operators, transport services, destinations, destination organizations, and tourism companies.

As a result of the project, new target groups will be reached in the selected markets, and new tourism business will be generated. In addition, attractive marketing content about the destinations will be produced and made accessible to the target audiences.

Project info

Start date: 05.05.2025
End date: 30.04.2028
Project main contractor: Savonlinna Development Service Ltd
Project subcontractors: Mikkelin Development Miksei Ldt, Mikkeli Development Miksei, Tartu County Tourism Foundation, Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, Visit Estonia, Administration of Jurmala Local Government, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia
Funding authority: EU Central Baltic Interreg
MikseiMikkeli’s share of the budget: 249735.44€
Project area: International

Contact

Heli Mende
Senior Advisor, New Nordic, Saimaa Horizon 2030 - Invest & Grow
Vaalea pitkähiuksinen nainen tummissa vaatteissa
Maaret Nikkinen
Tourism Sector Specialist, New Nordic project, and Marketing Specialist, Saimaa by Cycle project