Role of national, regional and local authorities in cross-border tourism development IV Annual International Conference Cross-Border Cooperation: The Russian Federation, The European Union and Norway Katja Keinänen, Lappeenranta Innovation Ltd. September 30th 2008, Pskov, Russia

Russian Tourists in Finland

Tourism development activities in Lappeenranta region Local & regional authorities actively supporting the development of tourism Financing and implementation of activities laying ground for new tourism investments Cooperation models between entrepreneurs and the city in events & activity development Public-private partnership South Karelian Tourims Ltd. Cross-border cooperation projects with Leningrad region and City of St. Petersburg

South Karelian Tourism Ltd Established by the development companies of Imatra and Lappeenranta regions and 27 main operators within the tourism trade in the region Objective to increase the tourism business by cooperation within the region and between operators Focus on developing Saimaa into a brand; goSaimaa.fi Common platform for marketing and product development; e-marketing and e-business Funding from EU and the Finnish government

South Karelian Tourism Ltd Funding

St. Petersburg Corridor Strategic Approach to Regional Partnership Meeting of Chairpersons of Committees of the External Relations of City St Petersburg and Leningrad Region with six Mayors of South-East Finland Co-ordination Group - prepares the matters and the motions for meetings - representatives of all parties BUSINESS COLLABORA-TION AND COOPERATION DEVELOPMENT Working Group INCREASE OF INNOVATION KNOW-HOW AND SUPPORT OF INNOVATION DIFFUSION TOURISM DEVELOPMENT LOGISTIC AND TRANSPORTA-TION NETWORK DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES

Tourism Corridor Objectives to develop the South-East Finland and North-West Russia into common unique and attractive tourism destination Priority projects The Winter Pearls - tourism product development and marketing for the low season Water tourism – development of cruises and boating

Norther Dimension Cross Border City - The Sustainable Cooperation Programme Imatra FINLAND / EU Joutseno RUSSIA Svetogorsk Lappeenranta Business Policy Culture Education and Training Energy Environment Infrastructure Labour Force Logistics Regional and Municipal Administration Security Social and Health Care Tourism Lesogorsk Vyborg and Vyborg Region Kamenno- gorsk Vysotsk Sovetskij Primorsk

Example projects Tourism Information Centres Network (TIC) Neigbourhood Programme project, EC contribution 135.000€ Lead Partner: Lappeenranta Business Development Company Objectives To develop toursim segment in South-East Finland and Leningrad Region To create a viable TIC network in Leningrad Region which could ensure tourism development in the area Results Cration of network of 10 TIC’s in Leningrad region; business plans, training, contacts and materials for the centres

Example projects From Saimaa to Onega Neigbourhood Programme project, EC contribution 188.140€ Lead Partner: Lappeenranta Business Development Company Objective To promote economic growth and business development conditions by creating unique water tourism infrastructure comprising potential of three lakes; Saimaa, Ladoga, Onega

THANK YOU! Contacts: Katja Keinänen, Development Manager Lappeenranta Innovation Ltd. Tel. +358 50 402 4944 katja.keinanen@lprinno.fi www.lprinno.fi