Advocacy and cooperation: Tourism strategy supporting maritime tradition and coastal tourism

The Regional Council of Central Ostrobothnia is a key regional development organisation in the development of tourism in the area of Central Ostrobothnia and thus plays a key role in promoting the operating conditions of tourism organisations and companies in the region. The Central Ostrobothnia tourism strategy is a part of this important regional development.

Kokkola was founded 400 years ago and, in the 18th century, served as one of the most important maritime centres in Finland, being famous for its ships and their tar cargos. This maritime and trading tradition is still visible today in bilingual and culturally vibrant city life. It is important in tourism today to highlight and preserve the maritime traditions, as it is sea that has shaped both the history and success of the city. The tourism built around the coast needs to both promote and preserve the historical value. Some of the themed maritime traditions and coastal tourism highlights include:

- The old wooden town Neristan
- SALMI QR app to self-guided walking tours in coastal region
- Meripuisto Sea park – with beach, water activities, sports possibilities, and harbour of our cruise ships
- National city park status to preserve and protect the parks and nature inside the city.
- Vattajanniemi and Ohtakari – The longest coastal dune area (over 40 km) in the boreal region
- Lighthouse Island of Tankar