By developing cultural tourism it is possible to support the aims set out in the Government Programme of Prime Minister Marin’s Government to strengthen cultural tourism and the objectives in the Strategy for Cultural Policy 2025 of the Ministry of Education and Culture, involving creative work and production, inclusion and participation in arts and culture, and cultural basis and continuity.
Finland’s strategy on tourism for the period of 2019–2028, which guides the overall development of tourism in Finland, emphasises tourism activities that observe the principles of sustainable development. Particular emphasis is placed on developing cultural tourism based on different thematic areas.
The Ministry of Education and Culture takes part in cooperation with the European Union (EU) and international organisations in the field of cultural tourism. Finland acceded to the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) in 2018. The Ministry of Education and Culture participates in the administrative and expert work of the Agreement and represents Finland on the Governing Board of EPA. The central task of the Governing Board is to award the certification "Council of Europe Cultural Route" and to evaluate certified routes regularly.
Cultural tourism can be used to support the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations, including the objective of devising and implementing policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs locally, promotes local culture and products (SDG 8.9, 12b) and strengthens efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage (SDG 11.4).
Roadmap for the National Development of Cultural Tourism
In spring 2021, the Ministry of Education and Culture appointed a working group to prepare a proposal for a roadmap for the national development of cultural tourism. The purpose of the roadmap is to define national measures for developing cultural tourism in the coming years and serve as a national guidance document in the cultural route activities of the Council of Europe.
The working group’s proposal for a roadmap for the national development of cultural tourism was published on 18 May 2022. It contains five target themes that focus on enhancing cooperation, sustainability, the range of cultural tourism products, digitalisation and knowledge-based management, as well as making use of international activities and especially the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in cultural tourism. Sustainable development has been taken into account in the roadmap work in a cross-cutting way.
The proposal for the roadmap is being circulated for comments from 22 June to 19 September 2022. The proposal will be finalised based on the feedback received.
Roadmap for the National Development of Cultural Tourism. Working group proposal
Contact information
Emma Harju, Specialist
Ministry of Education and Culture, Kulttuuri- ja taidepolitiikan osasto (KUPO), Taiteen ja kulttuuriperinnön vastuualue (TAKU) Telephone:0295330134 [email protected]