The Äksyt Ämmet travel agency from North Karelia opens the fateful connection between transport infrastructure and the tourism industry. Today's travel is often also about taste.
Travel agency, tour operator, producer of program services and online store... North Karjalian Äksyt Ämmet Oy will be 30 years old next year. A versatile company has a perspective on both the ups and downs of the economy.
Entrepreneurs from Nurmes are behind the company Minna Murtonen ja Kirsi Partanen. From the beginning, the idea has been to bring foreigners to Eastern Finland. The alignment is still valid, and for example, more than 90 percent of the customers of Pihlajapuu, an inn run by entrepreneurs, are foreigners.
"Nearly three decades can fit many years, from challenging to better ones. Despite the closure of the eastern border, 2023 was our best ever in terms of turnover, which was influenced by the fact that our largest flows come from German-speaking countries. The proximity of the eastern border has now produced the first cancellation from Europe," says Murtonen.
However, one new product that was under development, Kaksi Karjalaa, is frozen for the time being. The program was meant to offer nature and taste experiences in both Finnish and Russian Karelia: a week in Nurme, a week in Kostamus, Kalevala and Solovetsk.
A long way from Central Europe
Nurmes is located in the province of Eastern Finland, North Karelia, at the northern end of Pielinen - in the middle of three provinces. The cities of Iisalmi, Joensuu, Kajaani and Kuopio are about 120 kilometers away.
Without a functioning transport infrastructure, the tourism business cannot run here either.
"You can get to Nurmes by train from Joensuu twice a day. Bus lines run from Joensuu, Kuopio and Kajaani, where you can also find the nearest airports. Kuopio airport, which is closed for the duration of July, will cause a temporary inconvenience this summer," says Murtonen.
The traveler's route combines different modes of transport.
"Foreigners usually come by plane, but if the vacation is longer, train travel is also popular. The connections are fine, but yes, traveling here from Central Europe is a long way. Cars and tour buses are needed, as the inn cannot be reached by public transport, and the national parks are not located along the railway line."
The way to the east is through the stomach
The closure of the eastern border and Russian airspace has been a challenge for tourism in eastern Finland, but the region has also faced downwinds. A promising example has been granted to the Saimaa region European Region of Gastronomy 2024 -title. It is a significant recognition of the unique food culture of eastern Finland.
The festive year attracts both international and domestic visitors to Eastern Finland. The goal is to raise the Saimaa region in particular to an internationally interesting tourist destination, the core of which can be found in food and culture. The gastronomy project is managed by the Etelä-Savo county association, but the events of the jubilee year are carried out with the extensive cooperation of the Etelä-Savo, Etelä-Karelia and North Karelia provinces.
The importance of culinary attractions has also been recognized in Äksy Ämmi.
"An emerging trend is the Karelian food culture with its forest food, fish and game dishes, as well as pastries and pies," confirms Minna Murtonen.
"Eastern Finland's absolute attractions and permanent trends are nature with its numerous national parks and various activities. Hiking, forest and boat trips, kayaking, rafting, fishing, cycling and ski hikes appeal year after year."
Eastern Finland in binoculars
Äksyt Ämmet is one of the stars of Infra magazine's Itä-Suomi themed issue. Eastern Finland and Finland's logistical connections to the west are interesting not only in terms of the tourism industry, but also energy production, trade, security of supply and rock'n'roll, testify the interviewees from Kyösti Kakkone to Olli Herman.
Grab a copy of Rakennuslehti on Friday, June 14 or browse it here!
Finland needs tourism euros
According to Visit Finland's Tourism Pulse and statistics for the 2023–2024 winter season, overnight stays increased almost everywhere in Finland from the previous year.
Foreign tourists made nearly 1,2 million trips to Finland in winter, during which they spent nearly 1,1 billion euros.
The number of foreign overnight stays (2 million) reached close to the level of the previous peak winters of 2019 and 2020 for the first time since the corona pandemic, and foreign accommodation sales (173 million euros) already clearly exceeded it. Domestic tourism also seems to have reached its post-corona peak.
In the summer of 2024, direct flights to Finland and seat capacity will increase compared to the previous summer. European flights account for almost 90 percent of the summer seat capacity. Growth markets can be found especially in Germany and the United States.