The Northern areas of Norway, Finland and Sweden attracts tourists interested in nature and learning about the local culture, and nature are important interests for the visitors. According to Nordnorsk Reiseliv´s visitor survey 2023, almost 70% of the visitors to Northern Norway mention nature as their motivation to visit. Similarly, 72% of the visitors to Finnish Lapland mention nature as the most important reason for a visit.
SALT Lofoten AS and Kilpisjärvi Biological Research Station at the University of Helsinki has carried out a feasibility study in the Interreg Aurora funded small-scale project From Lab to Landmarks: A Cross-border Initiative for Science, Discovery, and Tourism. The aim of the project was to explored how scientific knowledge can be a part of a travel experience.
The project has gathered a network in Enontekiö (Finland), Nord-Troms (Norway) and Kiruna (Sweden) who have collected knowledge and experience of cultural and science-based digital content for existing nature trails in the area. The project has strengthened the cooperation between research institutions, tourism actors, schools, and local communities in the border region.
The tourism industry has only recently started to discover the potential value of scientific knowledge as a part of the travel experience. It is important to provide visitors with more knowledge, understanding and respect for the nature and local communities they visit, while enabling local community participation in planning tourism development. The approach will strengthen sustainable destination development and empower residents in the region to influence local tourism development.
The project made an online survey for visitors. The visitors show a big interest in using digital tools to learn more about the destination. Map-based information and information about local nature, culture, and services are interesting.
The project From Lab to Landmarks resulted in an increased knowledge of the potential of digital science trails for tourism and local recreation use. The project has also resulted in strengthening of existing cross-border partnerships and development of new networks.
Read the Feasibility study for cross-border digital science trails project