On Thursday 7 April, eXpression Umeå invited to a discussion on forms of collaboration during the corona pandemic. Participants were Max Jansson, CEO Visist Vaasa, Annika Sandström, Regional Tourism Manager Region Västerbotten and Christopher Storm, Product manager Granö Beckasin. The discussion started with questions about the different strategies Finland and Sweden have adopted during the pandemic and its impact on the possibilities to receive international visitors and to engage in cross-border cooperation.
During the pandemic, a number of cross-border projects have been underway. Despite challenges related to the implementation of project activities, the level of cooperation has been high. Both Annika Sandström as Max Janson testifies to a rapid transformation to digitally create the conditions to maintain ongoing collaborations. Also Christopher Storm at Granö Beckasin, says that cooperation with regional and destination companies has intensified during the pandemic, as has cooperation between local businesses.
The new jointly owned ferry between Umeå and Vaasa was also discussed, Aurora Botnia, and its importance for tourism and trade. The panel unanimously expressed high expectations, not least for new opportunities to jointly package Ostrobothnia and Västerbotten as a destination. Max Jansson also stressed the proximity of the different cities and the potential of the new shorter journey times.
I see growth in both directions. It's an attractive transport route, the world's northernmost passenger ship and a travel destination in itself. We should remember that the nearest city to Umeå is Vaasa and the nearest city to Vaasa is Umeå," he said. Max Jansson.
The conversation was moderated by Annakarin Nyberg, project manager for the project Sustainable tourism of the future. The project is part of Tillväxtverket's initiative Knowledge development in coronapandemin and will be implemented during the period 1 February 2021 - 31 December 2022.
To see the full call: Collaborative forms during the corona pandemic.
