Travel preferences of Finnish cross-border tourists: Opportunities and limitations for Russian Karelia

Svetlana V Kondrateva,Ekaterina A Shlapeko

doi:10.7163/gpol.0220

Abstract

The study aims to examine travel preferences of Finnish cross-border tourists with special reference to the Republic of Karelia, Russia. Data were collected using paper-based and online surveys from 300 respondents travelling from Finland to the Russian Karelia. Although cross-border tourists are a significant part in the inbound tourist flow to Russian Karelia, several obstacles for this type of tourism have been revealed. Measures to stimulate Finnish tourists to travel to Russian Karelia are suggested. The results of this study can be used to improve Karelian tourist products by providing services as expected by tourists. The findings are limited to visitors of Russian Karelia and should therefore be interpreted with caution.

Highlights

IntroductionFinland shares approximately 1,340 km land border with Russia (with several crossing checkpoints), which is the European Union’s longest external border
Finland shares approximately 1,340 km land border with Russia, which is the European Union’s longest external border
The article focuses on the study of cross-border tourism practices of Finns in the border region of Russia, the Republic of Karelia

Summary

Introduction

Finland shares approximately 1,340 km land border with Russia (with several crossing checkpoints), which is the European Union’s longest external border. The article focuses on the study of cross-border tourism practices of Finns in the border region of Russia, the Republic of Karelia. The high share of Finnish tourists in the tourist traffic from abroad makes the Karelian tourist industry strongly dependent on variations in the inbound traffic from Finland and raises the significance of the challenges for cross-border tourism. A declining number of Finnish tourists visiting Russian Karelia lately is a reason to find out the travelers’ preferences in order to stimulate the inbound tourist traffic as well as the local tourism market. The main aim of the article is to identify the travel preferences of Finnish cross-border tourists in the context of existing limitations as well as the opportunities available in the Republic of Karelia, and to suggest measures for attracting tourists and revitalizing the economy of this Russian border region

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