Kainuu’s Fishing Tourism is Evolving – New Experiences and Greater Visibility for the Region

Fishing tourism offers diverse opportunities for local businesses and travellers year-round. In particular, lake fishing opens up new avenues for tourism growth.

The Renewing Fishing Tourism in Kainuu project, launched at the beginning of the year, promotes the offering of fishing tourism products in Kainuu and increases awareness of the region’s fishing opportunities.

– Fishing tourism has a long history in Kainuu and great potential, but its possibilities have not yet been fully utilised. We want to highlight the region’s unique fishing experiences and create attractive tourism products for both domestic and international travellers, says Project Manager Toni Haapala from Kajaani University of Applied Sciences.

Fishing tourism products can be divided into three categories: guided fishing tourism products, fishing events, and permit sales for independent anglers. Permit buyers are mainly domestic fishing enthusiasts.

– Domestic fishing tourists are typically independent hobbyists who plan and carry out their fishing trips on their own. In addition to purchasing permits, travellers use other available services according to their needs, Haapala explains.

Developing tourism products and supporting services, as well as increasing their visibility, supports the business activities of small and medium-sized enterprises in Kainuu.

– As tourism in Kainuu grows, there is increasing demand for year-round activities. Fishing offers experiences in all seasons and plays a central role in this development. Our goal is to increase the economic impact of fishing tourism in the region and, through that, create new job and income opportunities in Kainuu, says Haapala.

The Renewing Fishing Tourism in Kainuu project implements the Kainuu Regional Program by promoting the operating environment of SMEs in the region’s key tourism sector, as well as developing companies’ services and products. The target areas are Kuhmo, Paltamo, Puolanka, Ristijärvi and Suomussalmi. The project is co-funded by the European Union.

More information:

Project Manager Toni Haapala, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, toni.haapala@kamk.fi, tel. +358 40 198 1789