Cruise between Helsinki and Stockholm, 5-6 September, 2005

Key stakeholders working with tourism in the Baltic Sea Region met on 5-6 September 2005 to discuss possibilities for wider cooperation in the tourism industry of the region. The meeting was supported by Silja Lines and took place on a cruise between Helsinki and Stockholm. The prime purpose of the meeting was to find ideas about how to achieve regional cooperation in the tourism industry in the Baltic Sea Region through individual development of companies/organisations. The necessity of higher involvement from businesses and national organisations was also one of the crucial topics of the discussions.

Outcome of the meeting:

• Areas where competition is reduced must be identified
• A common vision, mission & objectives are needed
• The Baltic Sea Region should be marketed to the global community
• Emphasis should be put on overseas tourism
• Higher awareness and a positive image of the BSR must be created
• Concrete fields for cooperation: Cruising, maritime and sailing
• A survey of tourism behavior, motives and attitude should be made
• Overall infrastructure should be improved
• Better coordination between the National Tourist Boards is necessary
• BTC could take up the role of the coordinator body of tourism cooperation, no new organization is needed
• BDF should initiate a ministerial meeting for tourism ministers
• Establishment of a new method, a so-called Baltic Sea Barometer, was proposed in order to collect figures covering the entire region

How to proceed:

• Stakeholders from academia, business and politics will meet at the Stockholm Summit on 16-18 October in order to discuss further developments in tourism industry with representatives at the highest level
• Copenhagen Business School has offered to arrange the next tourism cooperation meeting in the beginning of 2006 (Spring)
• The establishment of a think-tank was proposed. BDF will make suggestions for the possible structure and the participants