Tourism

The tourism industry is primarily viewed as comprising lines of business that gain direct income from tourism. These include accommodation and catering, passenger traffic, travel agency, cultural, recreational and sports services, and a number of other services such as programme and car rental services. However, there is no internationally unambiguous definition of which lines of business should be included in the tourism industry.

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy is responsible for defining priorities for tourism policy, for the general development of tourism, and the coordination of support measures for tourism. It is also responsible for preparing legislation on tourism and maintaining tourism relations between nations. The Ministry of Employment and the Economy takes part in the handling of international tourism-related matters in the EU and OECD.

The latest Government Resolution on Finnish Tourism Policy was adopted in the spring of 2011. It includes proposals for the following measures: investigation of the possibilities of launching a comprehensive strategy programme for tourism in Finland, development of the tourism sector, strengthening the image of Finland as a tourist destination, and improvement of the prerequisites for business in the tourism sector.

The development of tourism is closely connected with regional policy, which falls within the area of responsibility of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. Tourism is a significant industry, particularly in less developed areas in Eastern and Northern Finland. At national level, the Ministry also acts as the coordinator of one regional development programme (the Centre of Expertise Programme OSKE) operating as a network. The scope includes, for example, the promotion of tourism.

The Finnish Tourist Board is responsible for operative measures related to the nationwide development of tourism, and more specifically, Finland’s international tourism marketing. The Ministry works in close cooperation with other administrative sector actors in the development of tourism.