The transnational LEADER project „Stronger Together for a Sustainable Tourism“ took tourism stakeholders from the Mëllerdall LEADER region to the Finnish lake district north of the city of Tampere. The event was hosted by the partner regions of Kantri and PoKo.
The third and final study trip as part of the project focused on sustainable tourism solutions: the expansion of cycle tourism, new services along tourist routes, and the certification of sustainable accommodation providers.
The trip marked the conclusion of the excursions as part of the joint project with partner regions in Finland and Ireland. Following the launch in Luxembourg in spring 2025 and the trip to Ireland in autumn 2025, the focus was now on the Finnish partner regions.
Cycling round the lake
Whilst hiking was the main focus in Luxembourg and Ireland, the Finnish partners concentrated on cycle tourism. A cycle route network was expanded, gaps were filled in and routes were mapped out. At the heart of the network is a tour of around 340 kilometres around Lake Näsijärvi, supplemented by eight shorter routes.
Particular interest was shown in the trail hubs. These service stations offer cyclists in sparsely populated areas guidance, safety and comfort through repair facilities, bike hire, information boards and small catering facilities. In addition, the Finnish partners presented new collaborative initiatives, such as Bike+Rail and Bike+Boat. The combination of cycling and boating, in particular, offers great potential in a region rich in lakes and promotes environmentally friendly mobility.
Quality label for tourism businesses
Another key focus was on the quality of tourism businesses. With „Sustainable Travel Finland“, Finland has a national label for accommodation providers and tourism operators committed to sustainability. Around 70 businesses in the region have already been certified. They have all undergone a seven-stage assessment process. Among other places, the delegation visited a certified business offering cottages and glamping.
The study trip demonstrated how rural regions can strengthen sustainable tourism offerings through well-planned routes, reliable service points, appropriate partnerships and clear quality standards. For the Mëllerdall region, the exchange provided valuable impetus, particularly for the further development of nature-based offerings and the integration of transport, accommodation and regional value creation.
