News
29 July 2025
Turning Darkness Into Opportunity: How Interreg Transforms Finnish Tourism
News
29 July 2025
Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism
Ecotourism
Gastronomy tourism
+38 more
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Tourism in Finland often peaks during the sunlit months of summer, but what becomes of the lengthy, dark autumn and winter months? Thanks to Interreg's transnational cooperation programs, these traditionally quieter periods are transforming into significant opportunities for growth. Initiatives like Light in the Dark and GLOW 2.0 empower entrepreneurs with new skills, enabling them to capitalize on Finland’s captivating dark skies and create unique off-season experiences.
Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme
Topics
Estonia
EU-27
Finland
Norway
Sweden
Academic / Research and VET Institutions
Business Support Organisation
Company with 250 or more employees
Cluster Organisations
Consumer Organisations
Cultural and Heritage Organisations
Destination Management & Marketing Organisations
EU Institutions
Financial Institutions and Investors
Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce
International Organisations
Local Authorities
Media / Journalist Organisations
National authorities
Networks and Federations / Confederations
NGOs / Non-profits
Notified Bodies
Regional Authorities
SMEs (a company with less than 250 employees)
Social Economy Entity
Trade Unions
Other
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Specific types of tourism
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Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism
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Ecotourism
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Gastronomy tourism
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Health and medical tourism
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Rural tourism
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Wellness tourism
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Transition Pathway Strategic Areas
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Best practices, peer learning and networking
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Changes in tourism demand and opportunities
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Circularity of tourism services
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Funding and support measures
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Governance of tourism destinations
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Green Transition of Tourism Companies and SMEs
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Innovative tourism services
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Tourism strategies
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Well-being of residents
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Business activities
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Activities of amusement parks and theme parks
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Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism
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Air passenger transport
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Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks
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Events catering and other food services
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Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities
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Gardens and nature reserves activities
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Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation
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Hotel and similar accommodation
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Mobile beverage services
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Mobile food services
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Museums
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Operation of historical sites
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Other
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Other accommodation
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Other amusement and recreation activities
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Other food and beverage services
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Other holiday reservation services
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Other tourism transportation activities
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Rail Passenger transport
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Recreational and sport activities
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Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)
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Road passenger transport
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Tour operator activities
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Travel agency activities
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Water (sea, coastal and inland) passenger transport
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The importance of this transformation for tourism in Finland lies in its ability to redefine the off-season not as a challenging period, but as a time ripe with opportunity. By leveraging the unique aspects of Finland's natural environment, such as its serene, dark winter skies and stunning landscapes, projects like Light in the Dark and GLOW 2.0 showcase how darkness can become an attraction in itself. This not only mitigates the effects of seasonal tourism fluctuations but also promotes sustainability and diversification within the industry. Entrepreneurs, equipped with new skills and insights gleaned from international collaboration, are able to create compelling, year-round tourist experiences that highlight cultural and natural assets of the region. Such efforts truly embody the potential for innovation and growth in tourism, turning the winter months—once a limitation—into Finland’s unique advantage, thus enhancing the global appeal of this beautiful Nordic country. Written by Anna Zaccaro, Junior Communication Officer, Baltic Sea Region and Michela Gaifami, Programme Manager for Communication, Northern Periphery and Arctic, this article highlights the transformative impact of these initiatives.
#Sustainable tourism #Ecotourism #Responsible travel # Low-impact tourism #Climate-friendly tourism practices #Sustainable destinations #Regenerative tourism
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