The Finns continued to study the natural wonders of their homeland in the summer, offering the necessary help to the tourism industry destroyed by the Lapland pandemic.
A significant proportion of new visitors are likely to return, Metsähallitus predicted.
“There is a demand for the services of national parks. The age of the coronavirus has brought us new customers, many of whom are certainly here to stay. We are convinced that the number of visitors achieved this year can be created, if not improved, in the coming years, when the pandemic ends and international customers return to the national parks, “said Timo Tanninen, Director of Parks & Wildlife Finland.
Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland unit is responsible for the management of state-owned land and waters throughout the country.
Its optimism in terms of visitor numbers is partly due to the fact that it received additional funding of EUR 7.5 million this year and a cash contribution of EUR 19.2 million for future investments. The increase in funding came at the right time, as improvements to routes and rest areas made the parks better for first-time visitors as well.
While the increase in future investments made it possible to eliminate part of the service base in services, the flow of visitors has also revealed new development and reform needs.
One-off investments are simply not enough to maintain service structures, Tanninen emphasized.
“Long-term commitment is required. This is also necessary to safeguard natural values. The government of Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) has granted an increase in our core funding. It is crucial that growth is sustainable so that we can meet the demand of Finns and the tourism industry and promote the natural values of the regions, “he said.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page