Tourism

The WFA area offers a variety of choices for domestic and international travellers in the form of
-city tours,
-farm holidays,
-nature tourism and hiking,
-cottage stays and
-sailing numerous lake routes as well as at sea.

The WFA area invests in developing tourism through many different initiatives. One of the most significant of these is the Via Baltica Nordica Development Zone project, which runs through the WFA area and packages the tourism and culture available in the area into tailored excursions. Lake tourism projects are also run for the lake districts in inland Finland and on the West Coast.

The cities and towns in the area offer entertainment including amusement parks, concerts, museums, markets, restaurants, cafes and shopping. The cities and towns have invested much effort in the development of tourism and have marketed their attractions in Finland and abroad.

Farm holidays have gradually increased and are improving farmers’ livelihoods. The guests have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with everyday life in the countryside. Many farms also market their produce to passers-by, both in pre-packaged and self-picked form. In the strawberry and raspberry season, picking berries has become a popular pastime for city-dwellers.

The natural environment in the WFA region offers forest and hilly landscapes, sparkling lake views, leisurely river routes, verdant fields and plains, and sand dunes and rocky shores by the sea. There are mapped routes for independent hikers. The nature parks are a worthwhile experience. The guided day trips offer guests the feeling of the wilderness and the pleasure of water excursions. Finland has preserved its forests and other outdoor areas well, to the delight of visitors.

Finns have their second home at lakeside summer cottages. Cottages are also available for rental. The facilities available vary from simple dwellings to fully equipped summerhouses. Foreigners have already noticed the opportunity to enjoy holidays of this type and the Finnish outdoors.

The WFA area has an abundance of lake and river routes and seashores. The lake traffic is the most active in the country. For sporting visitors there are canoeing routes. The fish population is adequate for fishing enthusiasts. The culture and lifestyle around the inland waters and by the sea differ in a way that is interesting for visitors to explore.