63 businesses and partners in the region. It has helped the businesses and our regions to develop in many ways through better understanding the use of new technology, the importance of sustainability and focus on product development. One result of this is that companies and regions are now creating cross-border marketing campaigns. Some of them even exchanging labor between each other based on seasonal peaks. Another part of the project is about establishing cooperation agreements between tour operators which allows them to implement marke-ting campaigns for cross-border travel packages. Visit Arctic Europe is also arranging sales workshops and trips for tour operators in the Visit Arctic Europe Area. Working with issues related to accessibility and marketing activities has been fruitful. This type of cross-border cooperation is vital for the tourism industry. The main goal is to achieve sustainable, year-round operations. In the project’s first phase, between 2015 and 2018, extensive results were reached through co-operation across borders. Customer volumes increased and new direct flights within charter tourism were created. – The partners have been active and devoted. And of course, it is rewarding to see that the companies are benefitting from the project, says Maikku Raittimo, Visit Arctic Europe project coordinator at the Finnish Lapland Tourist Board. The feedback from the participants has been very positive. – We know that we are doing something valuable. They know that we are stronger together, says Rauno. Another example of cross-border cooperation in the project is that universities from the area have collaborated in One of the goals in the project Visit Arctic Europe is to develop a new tourist season, Autumn in the Arctic. Rauno Posio is project manager and Maikku Raittimo is project coordinator at the Finnish Lapland Tourist Board. Both are proud of the cross-border cooperation within the project.
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