Significant tourism investments are planned in Vuokatti

By: ePressi   |   January 16, 2025 Posted In: Europe
Significant tourism investments are planned in Vuokatti - Photo

The goal is to develop Vuokatti into one of the most attractive tourist areas in Finland and a new competitive advantage for sustainable international nature and leisure tourism to Finland. The vision lasts until 2040.

The future vision, concept and regional plan created for the Vuokarinrintei area were announced today, January 16, 2025, at the Travel Fair. If implemented, it will be one of the most significant tourism investments in Finland in the coming years.

The plan includes approximately 230,000 square meters of building rights and approximately 690 million euros in investments in the development of slope areas, hotels, cottage accommodation, restaurants and services by 2040.

"We have a unique and attractive year-round tourist destination, with many untapped opportunities on its slopes and in its services. We believe that Vuokatti will be one of the most interesting topics in the tourism industry in Finland in the coming years," says Mika Kilpeläinen, Mayor of Sotkamo and Chairman of Vuokatti Tourist Centre Oy.

"The Vuokatti of the future will offer sustainable nature experiences and high-quality and diverse services for both domestic and international guests. In the future, the slopes may also be accessible by train. If a rail connection from Joensuu and Oulu to Vuokatti is opened, the station would be in the immediate vicinity of the slopes, allowing you to walk from the train directly to the slopes in your ski boots. This would be unique in Finland. We will strengthen the position of Vuokatti and the entire Kainuu region as one of the best-known and most attractive tourist areas, continues Kilpeläinen."

The concept plan for the Vuokatti slope areas has been prepared with EU co-financing.

 

New slopes and a “walkable” village center

In addition to Vuokatti residents, the Vuokatti concept and vision working group, which started in August 2024, has included Eezy Flow, A-Insinöörit, ONE architects, Loci landscape architects, and the Canadian company Ecosign, known for designing international tourist areas. Ecosign's Paul Mathews has designed over 850 ski and leisure areas in over 45 countries.

"The basic idea behind the Vuokatti expansion plan is a compact village center on the northern slope area, with plenty of year-round rental accommodation and hotels, which will also create enough demand for services. Everything you need is within walking distance on skis, and there is no need for a car," says Paul Mathews.

Construction and service development are supported by investments and renovations to the slope areas. The first phase plans include extending the current western slopes to Vaara and bringing a modern six-person chairlift there. At the same time, it will be possible to develop a diverse children's area with lifts in the area. The plan also includes several new ski slopes, especially on the western side of Vaara. In accordance with the Master Plan, the area's year-round ski trails will be significantly developed, and at the same time, a large number of new, diverse activities have been planned for the area.

The Vuokatinvaara legal area is an important destination for admiring the scenery and its use will be diversified. The plan includes, for example, the renewal of scenic trails, a new scenic hut and a scenic restaurant.

 

Number of international tourists increases tenfold

The Vuokatti ski area development plan will significantly contribute to the development of tourism in Vuokatti as a whole. The well-known Holiday Club Katinkulta and the renowned Vuokatti Sport sports institute, together with the developing, diverse ski area, support each other and strengthen the framework for year-round tourism.

Kainuu offers international tourists an interesting tourist destination in Finland. Vuokatti's unique and diverse nature, ideal climate and year-round, diverse activities are significant competitive advantages.

Currently, international visitors account for two percent of Vuokatti's approximately 740,000 annual overnight stays.

"Our goal is to increase the number of foreign tourists in Vuokatti tenfold. As a result of the development work, we will have a significant amount of high-quality accommodation and diverse services, even completely new service concepts, all of which are important for international tourists," says Aija Laukkanen, CEO of Vuokatti Tourist Centre Oy.

"The strong development of the Vuokatti slopes is an excellent support for tourism in the entire Kainuu region and the recognition of the regional marketing name Arctic Lakeland," Laukkanen continues.

The employment impact of development projects on the Sotkamo and Kajaani regions is significant both during and after construction.

 

Vuokatti 2040

  • The goal is 1.5 million overnight stays in Vuokatti by 2040, currently 736,000.
  • 200,000 international overnight stays in 2040, currently 20,000
  • Three ski areas with different profiles that form a whole that develops together in a coordinated way
  • 12,000 new beds, currently 10,000
    • 3–6 new hotels,
    • 2,500 new holiday apartments, private or for rent
  • 7 new slopes, now 14
  • 4 new ski lifts and one replacing the old ones, now 9
  • Travel time from Kajaani Lehtokento to Vuokatti is 45 minutes.
  • Vuokatti's direct tourism revenue in 2023 was 93.2 million
  • The direct employment impact of the tourism industry in 2023 was 532 person-years.

 

More information:

Mika Kilpeläinen, Mayor, Sotkamo Municipality, phone 044 7502111
Pasi Korhonen, Project Manager, KAMK, phone 044 7101360
Aija Laukkanen, CEO, Vuokatin Tourist Centre Oy, phone 040 6116950
Lauri Suutarinen, CEO, Vuokatinrinteet, phone 050 597 5397
Kalle Ruuskanen, Eezy Flow, phone 050 511 9723
Jukka Kettunen, Urban Development Director, A-Insinöörit, phone 040 7338280
Tuomas Seppänen, Lead Architect, One Architects, phone 0400 575517
Pia Kuusiniemi, CEO, Loci Landscape Architects, phone 040 558 4848
Ecosign Paul Mathews: https://www.ecosign.com/projects

 

This press release was posted on January 16, 2025 on ePressi.com.

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