REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Regional development is currently undergoing major changes, and the traditional regional policies are facing great challenges. The North-East Finland Regional Centre, spearheaded by the Town of Kuusamo, has proved capable of surviving war and other crises. The Kuusamo region engages in active co-operation across municipal and national borders.
The development of the Barents region, together with the international border crossing stations of Kuusamo-Suoperä and Salla, opens new opportunities for the Kuusamo region, particularly in terms of travel and tourism. North-East Finland and East Lapland form an area where the exotic charm of Lapland meets the history of Viena Karelia. The number of tourists visiting the Kuusamo Airport’s sphere of influence (Ruka, Taivalkoski, Posio, Suomu, Iso-Syöte, Salla, Pyhä, Luosto and Viena Karelia) amounts to over a million visitors annually. One in four of these visitors come from outside Finland.
Accessibility, and good transport connections, is critical to the region. With the expansion of the Kuusamo Airport, to be completed in 2009, the region will be better equipped to promote year-round international tourism throughout the airport’s sphere of influence. In addition to air traffic, the region invests in improving bus connections from train stations to the different regional centres.
North-East Finland has been active in driving exports in the Finnish leisure industry by engaging in co-operation and exchange of know-how with the Himalaya Ski Village in North-East India. Broad-minded thinking and the ability to open new windows and explore new prospects will remain our signature.
Ville Skinnari
Head of regional development