PA Tourism
Baltic Sea Tourism Forum (BSTF) is the annual forum for EUSBSR Policy Area Tourism since 2008. This forum aims to promote dialogue, consensus building and a shared vision of the key challenges of tourism development around the Baltic Sea. BSTF is closely linked to the implementation process of Policy Area Tourism. It contributes strongly to the aims of the macro-regional strategy, the revised action plan and the defined actions adopted by the European Commission like EU Pathway to Tourism. BSTF attracts key tourism stakeholders from BSR, like DMO representatives, regional authorities, local municipalities and pan-Baltic organisations.
Baltic Sea Tourism Forum 2024 - Biking through Culinary & Culture!
The 16th Baltic Sea Tourism Forum will take place in Oulu, Finland on 4-5 June 2024 at Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti.
The themes of this year's forum include cultural and culinary tourism, cycling and coastal tourism. Attendees can expect inspiring keynotes, interesting case examples from the Baltic Sea Region, great networking opportunities, and the chance to explore the beautiful city of Oulu, which is the European Capital of Culture 2026!
BSTF2024 is arranged by EUSBSR PA Tourism coordinators: Council of Oulu Region (FI) and Pomorskie Tourist Board (PL) with guests and speakers from all EUSBSR countries and beyond. BSTF2024 is supported by: Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland, City of Oulu, Visit Finland, Visit Oulu and Interreg Baltic Sea Region.
PROGRAM (draft)
2.-3.6.2024 BSTF side events
2.-3.6. Pre-tours in Oulu Region.
Saaga Travel invites participants of the Baltic Sea Tourism Forum to embark on two pre-tours to two captivating and distinct destinations along the Baltic Sea coastline: the historic Old Town of Raahe on June 2nd and the unique island of Hailuoto on June 3rd. Explore the itineraries on our webshop and book your pre-tours by May 5th, 2024.
Pre-tours are self-paid for the participants.
3.6. 18.00 Get Together event for BSTF2024 participants, supported by Arctic Foodlab - Oulu2026.
More information coming soon.
4.6.2024 BSTF2024 Day 1
Themes: Cultural and Culinary Tourism
10.30 – 12.00 Registration, lunch and networking
12.00 – 12.15 Opening / Helena Tuuri, Ambassador / Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Finland
12.15 – 12.30 Welcoming words / Jussi Rämet, Region Mayor of Oulu region and Vice Marshall of Pomorskie Region
12.30 – 13.00 Keynote on Cultural Tourism / Speaker TBC
13.00 – 13.30 Keynote on Culinary Tourism / Erik Wolf, Founder & Executive Director, World Food Travel Association
13.30 – 13.50 Insights from the Latest Research on Gastronomy Tourism / Dr. Darius Liutikas, Senior Scientific Researcher, Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences
13.50 – 14.40 Coffee and networking
14.40 – 14.50 Navigating Post-Pandemic Recovery: Data-Driven Support for Nordic-Baltic DMOs / Johanna Elvinsson,Vice President, Head of Strategy, Mastercard Nordics & Baltics
14.50 – 15.40 Project presentations:
Cultural Pearls-project: Felix Schartner Giertta, Project Coordinator, Council of Baltic Sea States Secretariat
Light in the Dark-project: James Simpson, Project Manager, Novia University of Applied Sciences
Bike Across Baltic-project: Heidi Heikkilä, Project Manager, Turku University of Applied Sciences
Bothnian Coastal Route-project: Sari Kasvi, Project Manager, Business Oulu
Beach-SOS-project: David Cabana, Project Manager, Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS)
15.40 – 15.50 Development of green tourism in Ukraine / Nataliia Kruta, PhD, Deputy Chief of the Basin Department of water resources of Zakhidnyi Buh and Sian Rivers
15.50 – 16.20 Introducing Oulu the European Capital of Culture 2026 and tourism development / Yrjötapio "Y.t." Kivisaari, President & CEO,Visit Oulu and Samu Forsblom, Programme Director, Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture
16.20 – 16.30 Summary of the day
16.30 – 17.00 Free time
17.00 – 18.00 Guided walking tour through Oulu City center
18.00 – 19.00 Free time
19.00 Evening reception hosted by the City of Oulu
5.6.2024 BSTF2024 Day 2
Themes: Cycling and Coastal tourism
9.00 – 9.15 Opening / Kristiina Hietasaari, Senior Director, Visit Finland
9.15 – 9.45 Keynote on Cycling Tourism / Jill Warren, CEO, European Cyclists’ Federation
9.45 – 10.35 Presentations on Cycling tourism in the Baltic Sea Region
Speakers:
Heli Laukkanen, Special Project Coordinator, Bikeland The Finnish Center for Cycling Tourism
Jesper Poerksen, Director, Danish Cycling Tourism
Bożena Małyszczyk,Representative from Poland By Locals
10.35 – 11.10 Coffee break and networking
11.10 – 11.40 Keynote on coastal Tourism / Klaus Bondam, Director, Cruise Baltic
11.40 – 12.45 Presentations on Coastal tourism in the Baltic Sea Region
Speakers:
Ryan Jenkins, Managing Director, DenEesti Group
Janne Anttila, Managing Director, Kalajoen Hiekkasärkät Oy
Information on 3rd speaker coming soon
12.45– 13.00 Closing words and invitation to the BSTF2025 / Marta Chelkowska, Director of Tourism Department, Pomorskie Region
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
SMALL CHANGES POSSIBLE
5.-6.6.2024 Post-tour to Kalajoki on the Arctic Coast of Finland (Oulu – Kalajoki – Oulu)
The maritime resort Kalajoki charms with its sea, long beach, and sand dune area, “Hiekkasärkät”, in all four seasons. The coastal arcticity is present in Kalajoki and it is something to combine with the spectacular sea nature, amazing sunsets and bright nights, northern lights and starry sky, frozen sea, and snowy forests. But the coastal arcticity also means tradition, history, and the coastal way of life - it is a state of mind. Kalajoki is a gem among other unique places along the northern part of the Baltic Sea, on the arctic coast and offers high quality services and soon a large marina too. We are happy to welcome you to discover this beautiful region. During the trip you will also hear about the development processes of the concepts of Visit Arctic Coast brand and Kalajoki Marina.
Explore the itinerary and book your Post-tour!
Post-tours are self-paid for the participants.
General information
Please note that participation in the Baltic Sea Tourism Forum is for free, but the participants must organise their travel and accommodation. Registration must be confirmed by the 20 May 2024.
Pre- and post-tours are self-paid for the participants.
For special prices for the accommodation, scroll below.
Please note, that the Forum organizers do not issue VISA support letters to the participants.
BSTF2024 venue
Kasarmintie 13b, 90130 Oulu
Evening reception venue 4 June 19.00
State Provincial Office of Oulu
Linnankatu 3, 90100 Oulu
Get Together venue 3 June 18.00
To be confirmed
Starting point of the guided walking tour through Oulu City center
To be confirmed
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Arrival & transport
Oulu is easy to access with different types of transport. Oulu airport is easy to access with a direct Finnair flight from Helsinki and Lufthansa flight from Munich. Trains and buses take you to Oulu from all around Finland many times a day.
Flight connections:
Train connections: VR
Bus connections: Matkahuolto
From Oulu airport you can easily travel to the city center by public transport or taxi. In the center of Oulu, the best way to get around is by walking, cycling or public transport.
Route planner for public transport
Accommodation
BSTF participants have special rates at the following hotels. Please note that there are limited amount of rooms with the special rates.
Hotel Lasaretti (BSTF venue)
Special rate for BSTF2024 participants during 3.-5.6.2024
135€/night/single room
145€/night/twin room
To get the special rate, reservations must be made latest 6.5.2024, by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone: +358 20 7574 700
Special rate for BSTF2024 participants during 3.-5.6.2024
125€/night/single room
145€/night/twin room
To get the special rate, reservations must be made latest 4.5.2024, from website www.sokoshotels.fi with promocode BSTF2024, by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone: +358 8 312 3111
Special rate for BSTF2024 participants during 3.-5.6.2024
148€/night/single room
168€/night/twin room
To get the special rate, reservations must be made latest 10.5.2024 from website Lapland Hotels Oulu with promocode ALLBSTF2024, by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone: +358 8 880 100
Special rate for BSTF2024 participants during 3.-5.6.2024
143€/night/single room
163€/night/twin room
To get the special rate, reservations must be made latest 27.5.2024 from website Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu with promocode BSTF24, by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone: +358 20 1234 730
Special rate for BSTF2024 participants during 2.-7.6.2024
Hiekka standard 132€/night/single room
Hiekka standard 144€/night/twin room
Kuura superior 153 €//night/single room
Kuura superior 164 €/night/twin room
To get the special rate, reservations must be made latest 17.5.2024 from website Nallikarin Aalto - Nallikari with promocode BSTF2024.
Meet Oulu, that quirky northern city by the sea.
This is a home of people who like to choose their own path and do things differently. We are the ones who created the modern mobile technology and are forerunners in 6G. The ones who made up the peculiar Air Guitar World Championship to promote the message of world peace, and are now nominated as the European Capital of Culture 2026. In Oulu, life is an adventure, filled with rich tones of creativity and the magic of pure northern nature. We welcome everyone like an old friend, so please come and enjoy the laid-back, creative atmosphere of our beautiful seaside city. More information: Visit Oulu
Weather in Oulu
In June the weather is mostly sunny, and the daytime temperature is usually about +15°C. As we are located by the Bothnian Bay, the weather in early summer can also be cool and rainy. For this reason, we recommend you pack warm clothing and an umbrella. At night it does not get dark, so you have a special opportunity to enjoy the bright nights.
More information on weather in Oulu
Welcome to join the BSTF2024 in Oulu: Biking through Culinary & Culture!
PAST BSTF FORAS
BALTIC SEA TOURISM FORUM 2023
Below, you will find all the information regarding the event in 2023
1. #BSTF2023 general information
2. Agenda
3. Practical info
4. Past BSTF foras
Registration link
Please note that participation in the Baltic Sea Tourism Forum is for free, but the participants must organise their travel and accommodation. For a special promo code for the accommodation, scroll below.
1. #BSTF2023 general information
The EUSBSR Policy Area Tourism Coordinators organise the 15th Baltic Sea Tourism Forum with support from: the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Visit Estonia, Visit Tallinn, Interreg Baltic Sea Region and the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
- The annual forum for EUSBSR Policy Area Tourism since 2008
- This forum aims to promote dialogue, consensus building and a shared vision of the key challenges of tourism development around the Baltic Sea.
- BSTF is closely linked to the implementation process of Policy Area Tourism
- It contributes strongly to the aims of the macro-regional strategy, the revised action plan and the defined actions adopted by the European Commission like EU Pathway to Tourism.
- BSTF attracts key tourism stakeholders from BSR, like DMO representatives, regional authorities, local municipalities, pan-Baltic organisations, etc.
- The average amount of participants in recent years: 70-130
- Arranged by EUSBSR PA Tourism coordinators: Pomorskie Tourist Board (PL) and Regional Council of Oulu Region (FI) with guests and speakers from all EUSBSR countries and beyond.
2. Agenda
3. Practical info
- The forum takes place on 11th October 2023 (Wednesday) from 9.30 - 17.00 EEST in Radisson Collection Hotel
Rävala Street 3, Tallinn,10143,Estonia
- Registration starts at 8.45 am EEST
- Get together for speakers & registered guests on Tuesday, 10th Oct from 18.00-20.00 EEST at the Joint Building of Estonian ministries, Suur-Ameerika 1, Tallinn REGISTRATION REQUIRED Please bring your ID for the Get-Together event
- Forum will take place in the Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn
- The rate for the rooms with the "EUSBSR" promo code - 130 EUR per night per person for a single room with breakfast and 140 EUR per night for a double room with breakfast --> book directly from the Radisson Collection Hotel by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and mention the promo code EUSBSR.
- Participation in the Forum is free of charge, but registration must be confirmed by the 1st of Oct
- Please note, that the Forum organizers do not issue VISA support letters to the participants
- There are special promo codes for the participants who are interested in taking part in the Green Destinations summit happening from 8-10th Oct, before the BSTF2023 - please check the event page here: https://www.greendestinations.org/gd-2023-estonia/
BSTF Delegates are entitled to 20% Off using the Discount code - GD2023-BSTF, Full access to GD2023 Conference
Only Day2 Access, special price of 150eur; please use the provided link to purchase your ticket: https://www.greendestinations.org/event/green-destinations-2023-day-2-only/
To check the Green Destinations 2023 conference program, please see the website.
The EUSBSR Policy Area Tourism Coordinators organise BSTF2023 with support from: the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Visit Estonia, Visit Tallinn, Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme, and the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
4. Past BSTF foras
In 2008, the Ministry for Economy, Employment and Tourism at that time and the Tourist Board of the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern initiated the first Baltic Sea Tourism Forum (Summit), which took place in Rostock / Germany. The core aims of this touristic rapprochement process was to develop forms of collaboration that complement the countries' and regions' marketing strategies meaningfully and give the Baltic Sea as a tourism brand a better place on the market. During recent years, the Baltic Sea Tourism Forum has become the communication and exchange platform for transnational initiatives in the Baltic Sea region. It aims to promote dialogue, consensus building, and a shared vision of the key challenges of tourism development around the Baltic Sea.
Since 2012, the annual forum has been closely linked to the implementation process of Policy Area Tourism in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. It contributes strongly to the aims of the macro-regional strategy, the revised action plan and the defined actions adopted by the European Commission in 2015.
The Baltic Sea Tourism Forum attracts key tourism stakeholders from around the Baltic Sea and contributes significantly to transnational exchange and cooperation in the region. In 2018, around 400 participants followed the invitation to the 11th joint Baltic Sea and Latvian Tourism Forum in Riga / Latvia. Last year, in November 2019, the BSR tourism community met in Brussels for the very first time. The 13th Baltic Sea Tourism Forum took place online 10.-13. November 2020. The host organisations were the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania and the Palanga resort.
The 14th Baltic Sea Tourism Forum will take place on 1st December 2022 in an online format. Over 115 participants joined us for the Forum. The host organisations were EUSBSR Policy Area Tourism Coordinators: Pomorskie Tourist Board and the Regional Council of Oulu.
The main aims of the Forum are:
1. Support sustainable and balanced tourism development and voice the interest of the tourism industry in the Baltic Sea region.
2. Strengthen the sustainable and responsible cooperation of all Baltic Sea region countries and exploit the existing international development potential more efficiently.
3. Provide and secure a permanent platform for information and know-how exchange with the Baltic Sea Tourism Forum at its core for continuous collaboration based on a multilevel process.
4. Position the Baltic Sea as a coherent travel destination on the global tourism market and promote the area as an attractive, safe and natural destination for international tourists.
BSTF 2023 Registration link
Please note that participation in the Baltic Sea Tourism Forum is for free, but the participants must organise their travel and accommodation. For a special promo code for the accommodation, scroll below.