University academic, Dr John Ebejer, met officials of the Governing Body of Suomenlinna to discuss ways to improve the place’s tourism potential. Suomenlinna, a sea fortress founded in 1748 on a cluster of islands off the coast of Helsinki in Finland, was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1991 for its unique military architecture.
The Governing Body of Suomenlinna is an agency responsible for the restoration, development and maintenance of the fortress as well as managing it as a visitor attraction. The officials at the meeting included conservation architects, historians and tourism professionals.
The Governing Body of Suomenlinna is an agency responsible for the restoration, development and maintenance of the fortress as well as managing it as a visitor attraction. The officials at the meeting included conservation architects, historians and tourism professionals.
The discussion at the Meeting revolved around measures to make the fortress a year-round tourist attraction. The Governing Body is concerned on how to generate more income from tourism activity to sustain the significant financial resources required for Suomenlinna’s continued restoration and maintenance. Any interventions and new uses would have to be respectful of the World Heritage Site status and enhance the historic character of the place.
Dr Ebejer’s main suggestion was to remodel the fortress’ main central open space to make it more amenable for small events. Carefully planned events could be used to bring more people to the fortress and instil vitality and liveliness in its main spaces. Another suggestion was for information brochures to be improved: good printed information would enhance the tourist experience for those who chose to explore the place.
Dr Ebejer’s main suggestion was to remodel the fortress’ main central open space to make it more amenable for small events. Carefully planned events could be used to bring more people to the fortress and instil vitality and liveliness in its main spaces. Another suggestion was for information brochures to be improved: good printed information would enhance the tourist experience for those who chose to explore the place.
Dr Ebejer lectures at the Institute for Tourism, Travel and Culture at the University of Malta. He was on an Erasmus+ Higher Education Staff Mobility Programme at the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. The visit and meeting were coordinated by Ms Leena Grönroos, Senior Lecturer at the same University and Ms Milla Öystilä, Development Coordinator at the Governing Body of Suomenlinna.