Tourism Sector and Experiments of Regional Co-learning in Central Ostrobothnia (MAYKO)

Matkailusektori ja alueellisen yhteisoppimisen kokeilut Keski-Pohjanmaalla (MAYKO)

The project studied the state and development needs of the tourism sector in the municipalities of Central Ostrobothnia and tested a dialogue between practical and scientific knowledge in utilizing environmental certification and accessibility in the tourism sector.

mayko-logot-vaaka-en.pngComplementarity of the project with previous development work

vaaka-pirunpelto-01.jpgThe project was complementary to previous tourism projects in Central Ostrobothnia in that it was based on the development of a regional ecosystem for tourism. A wide range of actors are needed in the ecosystem. The project started with the idea of developing both a bottom-up, pragmatic, and top-down, analytical, approach to tourism development. The project was based on the idea that the development of tourism requires colliding of or dialogue between practical and analytical thinking. Genuine dialogue leads at all levels to learning, which is called regional co-learning. For its part, the project was aimed to strengthen tourism research, knowledge and innovation activity in the region. The aim of regional co-learning was to raise regional co-expertise to a new level so that the region could participate more extensively and effectively in national and international co-operation in the field of tourism in the future.

The project builded on the work of tourism-themed projects previously funded in the region, such as Routes’ and Tourist Services’ Central Ostrobothnia (Reittien ja matkailupalvelujen Keski-Pohjanmaa, implemented by the Kokkolanseudun Kehitys Ltd KOSEK) and Via Central Ostrobothnia and Northern Central Finland (Via Keski-Pohjanmaa ja pohjoinen Keski-Suomi, implemented by the Kaustinen sub-region). In particular, the Routes’ and Tourist Services’ Central Ostrobothnia project has examined the state and development needs of the tourism sector in the municipalities of the extended Central Ostrobothnia: Halsua, Kannus, Kaustinen, Kinnula, Kokkola, Kruunupyy, Lestijärvi, Perho, Reisjärvi, Toholampi and Veteli. The MAYKO project complemented the studies carried out by structuring the previous studies into an easily understandable description of the tourism sector and by carrying out the necessary further studies in order to obtain an overall picture.

tilannekuva-kansi.JPGPublication on the state and development needs of the tourism sector

Rosenqvist, Olli (2020). Selvitys matkailusektorin tilasta ja kehittämistarpeista Keski-Pohjanmaan liiton jäsenkunnissa. Jyväskylän yliopisto, Kokkolan yliopistokeskus Chydenius. (In Finnish)

Available: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-39-8141-9.

 

pysty-luontopolku-03.jpgRegional co-learning experiments

The project carried out two regional co-learning experiments, focusing on the utilization of environmental certification in terms of responsibility and the utilization of accessibility on the basis of the proven needs of tourism businesses. Initially, the University Consortium examined and compared the characteristics of different environmental certification systems, their performance requirements, system differences, etc. Surveys and comparisons helped to identify which certification systems suit to the needs of Central Ostrobothnian tourism companies. In addition, the extent and types of environmental certificates that Central Ostrobothnian tourism companies currently have was explored. In terms of accessibility, the project explored what accessibility can contain, how it has been utilized nationally and internationally, and how the Central Ostrobothnian tourism businesses could utilize it.

The project aimed at colliding practical and analytical knowledge by exporting the results of studies on environmental certification and accessibility to practical actors' workshops for processing and utilization. The workshops tested the interaction between practical knowledge and research and the fruitfulness of the dialogue from the perspective of the tourism sector development. Due to the coronavirus COVID 19 epidemic, the workshops work were conducted in an online conference environment.

sertifiointi-kansi.JPGPublication on the utilization of environmental certification

Harald, Mari & Olli Rosenqvist (2020). Selvitys ympäristösertifioinnin hyödyntämismahdollisuuksista Keski-Pohjanmaan matkailuyrityksissä. Jyväskylän yliopisto, Kokkolan yliopistokeskus Chydenius. (In Finnish)

Available: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-39-8143-3.

esteettömyys-kansi.JPGPublication on the utilization of accessibility

Rosenqvist, Olli (2020). Selvitys esteettömyyden hyödyntämismahdollisuuksista Keski-Pohjanmaan matkailuyrityksissä. Jyväskylän yliopisto, Kokkolan yliopistokeskus Chydenius. (In Finnish)

Available: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-39-8142-6.

pysty-luontopolku-04.jpgProject funding, implementation time and contact persons

The main financier of the project was the Central Ostrobothnian Council, which granted AIKO funding for the project: 70 percent of the total funding of EUR 49 503. The city of Kokkola, the Kaustinen sub-region, the city of Kannus and the municipality of Perho participated in the project as municipal financiers. In addition, Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius co-financed the project. The project was implemented between 1 January and 30 April 2020. At the Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius, the project was implemented by Olli Rosenqvist and Mari Harald.

Further information: Olli Rosenqvist and Mari Harald

Photographs: Mari Keiski, KOSEK, Routes’ and Tourist Services’ Central Ostrobothnia project (Reittien ja matkailupalvelujen Keski-Pohjanmaa -projekti) (in Finnish)