the call of koli 2014 pdf
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”In Koli! One of the greatest experiences of my life. Planning ´La Montagne´ !”— Jean Sibelius (1865–1957)
”In Koli, the beauty of Karelian nature reaches its peak.”— Juhani Aho (1861–1921)
Sibelius and Aho are but two of the Finnish national artists who have found inspiration in Koli. Still today the scenery of Koli inspires creativity in many of those who visit the area. It is a place suffused with primitive mysticism and a magical quality that is difficult to put into words. It must be seen and experienced first hand.
Koli – a unique, diverse destination
Enjoy internationally recognised natural and cultural attractions, coupled with a wide range of high
quality tourist services. Koli is a great place to visit, live, and start a business.
With more than a century of rich history, tourism in Koli is now on the threshold of a new era. New investments, local and regional support and a positive spirit are taking tourism in Koli forward in great strides. The aim is a controlled increase in domestic and international tourist arrivals that does not compromise comprehensive sustainability. The 2012 renewal of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas agreement for Koli National Park, managed by the EUROPARC Federation, is certificate to the emphasis placed on sustainable development in Koli.
Koli is part of the North Karelia Biosphere Reserve, which belongs to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Koli is the Outdoor & Hiking Destination of the Year 2013
– The Outdoor & Hiking Destination of the Year is an annual competition organised by
the Finnish Fair Corporation where the winner is determined by audience votes.
Koli is the Ski Centre of the Year 2013
– The Finnish Ski Area Association chose the Koli slopes as the Ski Centre of the Year in
2013. The annual winner is chosen by a panel, headed by Visit Finland.
TOP 5 REASONS TO TRAVEL TO KOLI – Business view
1 YEAR-ROUND TOURISM. Koli is one of the few tourism destinations in Finland, in which the tourism is as vivid in the summer as it is in the winter. In summer, Koli has one of the longest camping and hiking trail networks in Finland, and also a lot of other activities from paddling trips to ATV safaris. In winter, Koli is a full-blooded winter tourism destination due of the variety of slopes and cross-country skiing tracks and weekly activity programmes. The area offers great opportunities for conference’s. The implemented spa investments create additional revenue sources all year-round.
2 ACCESSIBILITY. Koli is close enough to the major growth centres of southern Finland to be ideal for weekend trips. Its proximity to the eastern border is reflected in substantial tourism interest from Russia. Public transportation also functions well as Koli shuttle taxi serves tourists and local inhabitants heading from Joensuu airport and railway station to Koli.
3 ROOM FOR NEW BUSINESS. There is still plenty of space in the tourism business field. In Koli there is clear need for new accommodation, restaurants, programme and supporting tourism services. For example the fourth biggest lake of Finland, lake Pielinen, offers really great possibilities for diversified development of programme services.
4 EXTENSIVE SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT. North Karelia’s Regional Development Programme highlights Koli as the region’s top destination and tourism beacon. Koli and its vicinity provide broad-based support for businesses in the development of tourism. The sub-region provides comprehensive support for businesses in the development of tourism competence and the financing of investments. Business subsidies in North Karelia are the highest in Finland. The general atmosphere is highly conductive to the development of Koli. Regional development in Koli is further supported by the ERDF-funded Project of Nature-based Tourism Development at Koli, which will continue until the end of December 2014.
5 ONGOING GROWTH. The number of visitors in the National Park of Koli has increased more than 10 % and when the Russia visa-free regime will enter into force it is expected that it will accelerate growth even further. One of the most important on-going investment is the completion of the construction of the family spa Koli Spa Lotus of Zander Port Ltd. in the area of Purnuniemi. The Building of a hotel is in the plans after completion of the spa construction. The new pampering and landscape spa Koli Relax Spa of Break Sokos Hotel Koli was opened in March 2013. Part of the hotel renovation was completed in 2012, i.e. reception, restaurant, cafeteria and conference premises and the development work still goes on. In the area there is also a new light traffic lane from Koli village to Purnuniemi area.
The Koli area currently welcomes approximately 200,000 tourists a year. Koli National Park alone has some 130,000 annual visitors.
ACCOMMODATION:Local businesses offer visitors approximately 2,300 beds.
Hotel 1 hotel (73 rooms)Apartment hotel 1 hotel (30 apartments)Other holiday cottages/apartments approx. 350 Caravan/camping sites 4 locationsRestaurants/cafés 13 shopsThe area is home to a great many conference facilities, of varying sizes, with the largest being the 200-seat auditorium at visitor centre Ukko.
Downhill skiing Together, Ukko-Koli and Loma-Koli boast 12 slopes, with roughly 130 skiing days per year – for numerous skiing opportunities.
The various routes are shown on a separate map.
WINTER ACTIVITIES:• Cross-countryskiing• Downhillskiingandsnowboarding• Snowshoeing• Snowmobiling• Dogsled safaris• Riding• Fishing• Bathinginatraditionalsmokesauna
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING:KoliboastsFinland’slongestcontinuousilluminatedskiingtrack(25km)androughly60kmoftracksintotal.Check out our map of cross-country skiing tracks.
SNOWMOBILING:North Karelia offers some 1,800 km of snowmobile routes. The Koli area’s snowmobile routes cover both land and ice.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES:• Hikingandnaturetrekking• Canoeing• Bicycling• ATV safaris• Fishing• Riding• Lakecruises• Disc golf
Koli National Park provides a full 80 kilometres of well-equipped hiking trails, of various lengths and levels of difficulty.
Various events are organised in Koli all year round. Some of the best-known events include the Marathon of Dangers trail running event, the Outdoor Activity Week, Midsummer in Koli, Koli Ruska Blues, the Wolverine Skiing event, the Koli Scenic Ski event and the Tour de Koli mountain biking event.
www.koli.fi/In-English
Nina Mikkonenprogramme directorProject of Nature-based Tourism Development at KoliTel. +358 50 300 [email protected]
Mikko Muikkuliaison managerProject of Nature-based Tourism Development at KoliTel. +358 40 104 [email protected]
Esko LehtomayorCity of LieksaTel. +358 40 104 [email protected]
Veli Lyytikäinenexecutive directorKoli Travel AssociationTel. +358 40 771 [email protected]
Aki Nevalainencorporate services account managerPielinen Karelia Development Center Ltd PIKESTel. +358 400 905 [email protected]
Contact us if interested in travelling to Koli, starting a business here, or investing in the area.
We are dedicated to providing answers to all questions.
Distance to KoliThe center of Lieksa.............................95 kmThe distance from Lieksa to Loma-Koli is 35 km across the ice road. Nurmes ...................................................76 kmValtimo ...................................................91 km
Joensuu ..................................................70 kmKuopio ..................................................151 kmJyväskylä .............................................301 km
Lahti ......................................................388 kmOulu ......................................................343 kmHelsinki ................................................490 kmThe flight to Joensuu takes approximately one hour.
Sortavala ............................................204 kmPetrozavodsk ....................................440 kmSt. Petersburg ...................................480 km
This brochure has been produced by the Project of Nature-based Tourism Development at Koli, which is administered and coordinated by the Pielinen Karelia Development Center (PIKES). The project is co-produced by the City of Lieksa. The project’s period of operation is from 1 October 2011 to 31 December 2014, and its primary source of funding is the Regional Council of North Karelia from the European Regional Development Fund.