VIMAS Newsletter on Training School 2 in Finland - August/September 2025

Birdwatching in Lammassaari park (Helsinki)**Photo:** Meng Xu

🌿 VIMAS Training School 2: A Deep Dive into Nature-Based Tourism and Knowledge Management 🌿

Over the course of 12 intensive days, the second VIMAS Training School (TS2) brought together doctoral candidates, researchers, and practitioners to explore the utilization of data and knowledge management in developing sustainable tourism destinations and businesses. Held across three key locations in Finland—Helsinki, Joensuu, and Koli National Park—the program offered a blend of thematic lectures, hands-on workshops, and field-based learning.

Visiting the forest near Joensuu **Photo**: Meng Xu

Highlights from the Training School

Week 1: Helsinki and Surrounding Areas

Participants kicked off the week with ice-breaking activities and networking at Villa Furuvik, followed by a week packed with insightful sessions:

Thematic Lectures: Experts from VisitFinland, Metsähallitus, and the City of Helsinki shared practical insights on knowledge management needs and practices in tourism.
Workshops: Participants explored topics such as science communication, digital storytelling, and green planning for sustainable tourism.
Field Visits: A site visit to Haltia Nature Center and Nuuksio National Park provided hands-on experience with visitor management and sustainable practices.

Karolina Takzanowska giving a presentation during TS2

Tuuli Toivonen enjoing the view at Lammassaari

Week 2: Joensuu and Koli National Park

The second week shifted focus to research writing and applying theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges:

Research Writing Workshop: Doctoral candidates worked on developing their research papers with guidance from experienced academics, focusing on structuring papers, improving argumentation, and preparing for publication.
Koli National Park Workshops: Discussions centered on visitor monitoring, public-private collaborations, and innovative digital solutions for sustainable tourism. This included some unexpected beautiful sceaneries, like the Northern lights! (See the photo below)
Scenic Hikes: Participants explored the breathtaking landscapes of Koli, with guided tours emphasizing the intersection of nature, culture, and tourism.

Three supervisors at Koli National Park (Finland)

Key Takeaways

Participants gained valuable insights into integrating data-driven solutions in tourism development and destination management.
Hands-on workshops enhanced skills in science communication, research writing, and applying knowledge to practical scenarios.
The program fostered collaboration among young researchers and industry professionals, creating a vibrant network for future projects.

A special thank you!

A heartfelt thank you to Henna Konu, Tuuli Toivonen and their teams for organizing such a successful Training School, with meticulous attention to every detail.

Henna Konu and Hans Skov-Petersen in Koli

Northern lights in Koli National Park (Finland) — **Photo**: Zsolt Kazai

What’s Next?

The VIMAS Training School 2 was a resounding success, providing participants with tools and knowledge to drive sustainable development in nature-based tourism. We look forward to the next Training School (TS3) in Sweden and Norway in June 2026, where the journey continues!

For more information about VIMAS and upcoming events, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn

#VIMAS #SustainableTourism #NatureBasedTourism #KnowledgeManagement #ResearchWriting #Collaboration

VIMAS at Koli National Park (Finland) **Photo**: Henna Konu

Questions, suggestions

If you have any questions, suggestions or any other input, send us an email!

Øystein Aas, Project Leader, oystein.aas@nmbu.no

Erica Maremonti, Project Manager erica.maremonti@nmbu.no