Tallinn Open House Festival
About this good practice
To ease the tourism pressure on the streets of the historical Old Town of Tallinn, visitors could be directed toward interiors that are presently not accessible to the public. An advantage of including indoor spaces in tourism programs is also that they provide shelter from inclement weather and offer a place for visitors to rest their legs and use restroom facilities during excursions. Tallinn Open House Festival offers a unique experience to both the inhabitants of Tallinn and visitors from elsewhere to visit interiors which are normally inaccessible. During the festival, all excursions are free. Neither the guides nor the owners of the buildings receive payment, as the event operates with the support of sponsors and the enthusiasm of architecture enthusiasts. The Tallinn Open House Festival takes place in October, contributing also to the attraction of tourists to Estonia during the low season. The Open House is an international initiative. The Tallinn Open House event is organized by the Estonian Centre for Architecture (ECA). ECA is a non-profit organization developing architectural cultural and promoting contemporary Estonian architecture abroad.
Resources needed
The core project team typically consists of 7 to 9 members. These include tour guides—such as architects, and designers. The estimated budget for organizing the festival—covering key components such as communications, logistics, and overall coordination—is approximately €70,000.
Evidence of success
Open House Tallinn 2024 featured a total of 41 sites and 430 guided tours. The Open House Festival contributes also to the attraction of tourists to Estonia during the low season. Regular interior tours have significantly greater tourism potential compared to a one-time visit to a building. Once the tour is prepared, it can be repeated with multiple groups, and with a sufficient number of visitors, it can also bring economic benefits as well as spreading tourism in terms of space and time.
Potential for learning or transfer
This best practice has the potential to benefit other cities and areas. The building owners, however, must agree to welcome visitors to their property. Tour guides with relevant knowledge of building architecture and history are required, which might attract particular tourism segments interested in the building's architecture and, as a result, visitors during the low season.
