Socioeconomic Impact of Tourism Centres

in the Northern FinlandKari Aalto,

Manager of International AffairsCouncil of Oulu Region

General information - Northern Finland

• Population density 4,4 / km2

• Lapland 2/km2

• Oulu Region (Obj. 1 areas) 3,85/km2

• EU average 121/km2

• Population 557 317

• Lapland 189 288

• Oulu Region 368 029

• Total area ~136 000 km2

• Lapland 98 937 km2

• Oulu Region 37 121 km2

Kari Aalto, Council of Oulu Region

Tourist Centres in Lapland

Kari Aalto, Council of Oulu Region

CASE LEVI AND RUKA

KUUSAMO (municipality)

• ~18 000 inhabitants

• Supply of labour 6 241 persons

• Employment 6 061

RUKA (tourist centre)

• 36 000 beds (16 000 in Ruka)

• Used capacity 44,6%

Kari Aalto, Council of Oulu Region

KITTILÄ (municipality)

• ~6 000 inhabitants

• Supply of labour 2 194 persons

• Employment 2 139

LEVI (tourist centre)

• 15 000 beds

• Used capacity 55,4%

Data Pekka KauppilaUnversity of Oulu

CASE LEVI AND RUKA 2

RUKA

• Jobs 1990-1999

• Ruka (tourist Centre) +30%

• Kuusamo (the whole municipality) –13%

• Jobs at private companies 1993-2001

• Ruka +195%

• Kuusamo +66%

Kari Aalto, Council of Oulu Region

LEVI

• Jobs 1990-1999

• Levi (tourist centre) +120%

• Kittilä (the whole municipality) – 17%

• Jobs at private companies 1993-2001

• Levi + 197%

• Kittilä +88%

Data Pekka KauppilaUnversity of Oulu

TOURISM FIGURES

KUUSAMO

• ~ 1 million travellers

• Tourism income 71 million €

• 6 000 holiday apartments / cottages

Kari Aalto, Council of Oulu Region

LAPLAND

• ~ 1,6 million travellers

• Tourism income 324 million €

• 25 809 holiday apartments / cottages

Mines, ores and significant occurrences in Lapland

Kari Aalto, Council of Oulu Region

Big Industries in the North Calotte

Kari Aalto, Council of Oulu Region

Kuusamo ICT Program• Five Point Program

• Develop ICT

• Utilize ICT in Business

• ICT infrastructure

• Involvement of Interest Groups

• Improve ICT Image

• Results

• 250 eLearning students

• 250 new jobs in ICT

• 15% out of employed found new jobs

• Competitive advantage from ICT infra

• ICT linked with tourism

• National and International recognition

Kari Aalto, Council of Oulu Region

SOCIOECONOMICAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM CENTRES’ DEVELOPMENT (including EU funding)

• Population increased, though centralized

• Population structure more favourable

• Gender structure healthier

• Age structure healthier

• Workforce increased

• Source of livelihood mainly from service sector

• Economical balance of resources good

• Employment rate increased

• Unemployment rate decreased

• Workplaces in private business increased

Kari Aalto, Council of Oulu Region

SOCIOECONOMICAL IMPACTS OF TOURISM CENTRES 2

• Service level in municipalities higher

•Infrastructure better

• Better roads

• Better flight connections

• Accessibility and connectivity higher

• Better image

• More tax incomes

• More comfortable residential environment

• Natural and cultural environment in balance

Kari Aalto, Council of Oulu Region

Thank You !