Finland Destinations

Kemi strengthens tourism cooperation in the Oulu region

2 min read

Sep 21, 2023 1:50:58 PM

#NordicNews on destinations and Finland

New partnership with Pohjola Route brings a breath of fresh air for international tourism

Kemi has joined the Pohjola Route in the Oulu region. Tourism cooperation in the Oulu region will thus be further strengthened. Kemi is an internationally known tourist destination and the cooperation is expected to give a boost to international tourism in the Oulu region in particular.

"Kemi Snow Castle and the icebreaker Sampo are internationally very well-known attractions. Tourists do not know provincial borders, but are looking for unforgettable experiences. Now we have an excellent opportunity to combine accommodation in Oulu with experiences in Kemi. Combining this with other destinations on the route, we can extend the tourists' stay in the whole region and especially increase the awareness of winter tourism in the Oulu region," says the Managing Director of Oulun Matkailu Oy, Yrjötapio Kivisaari, happily.

Jaakko Löppönen, the Managing Director of Kemin Matkailu Oy, explains that participation in the Pohjola Route is very important for tourism in Kemi and cooperation in the region: "We are continuing to develop tourism in Kemi by building on the foundation of Icebreaker Sampo and the Snow Castle and using the track record in international markets. Only through broader cooperation can we offer a destination that is attractive to tourists and also economically viable. Participating in tourism development in the Oulu region is an important step for us and an opportunity in the changing tourism markets. With the increasing overall demand in the north, I strongly believe that Oulu has a key role to play in terms of service offerings and routes. We now need capacity, knowhow and accessibility as a producer network to keep up with the growing demand in our daily sales business."

Kemi's diversity of tourism experiences

Kemi's most famous tourist attractions are the Kemi Snow Castle and the icebreaker Sampo. The Snow Castle operates all year round, and Sampo continues its 30-year tradition of breaking the ice in the Baltic Sea in winter. Kemi's location is unique, as the town is in Lapland but by the sea. In winter, the sea freezes, allowing for extraordinary experiences such as trips on hovercrafts and icebreaker cruises. In summer, the archipelago invites you to explore the history of the old sawmills, the national park and the fishing culture. From Oulu's centre, Kemi is only about an hour's drive away, and there is an excellent train connection between the cities.

Positive growth is expected for international tourism in the Oulu region this coming winter, as the German airline Lufthansa is introducing direct flights between Oulu and Munich.

The Pohjola Route

The Pohjola Route is an eventful route in the Oulu region, aimed at motorists, families, cyclists and travelers using public transport. Along the route you can experience the whole of Finland in miniature: the sea and archipelago, fields and small villages, lakes, forests and Finland's southernmost mountain with its picturesque snow-covered trees in winter. The Pohjola Route was officially opened in the summer of 2021 and has since become very popular, especially among nature lovers. Everyone can choose their own preferred route - the total distance is 900 kilometers, but it can also be explored in smaller sections.