Science Meets Regions
Coastal and Maritime Tourism & Sustainable Growth – Pori, Finland
26 September 2019

Coastal and Maritime Tourism & Sustainable Growth
Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) organises an event in the framework of the ‘Science meets Regions’ pilot project, funded by the European Parliament.
The topic of the event is coastal and maritime tourism as Blue Growth is one of the most important emerging themes in the regional development. Coastal and maritime tourism represents a major economic asset for the region, but also entails significant social and environmental consequences in the long-term. The event will discuss ways to develop the sector in a sustainable way.
The event is organised in close cooperation with the Regional Council of Satakunta, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission and the Foundation for European Sustainable Tourism.
Goals
The objective of the event is to build closer links between scientists and EU policy makers, in order to promote a culture of evidence-informed policymaking. This event gives local scientists the opportunity to present their work from various perspectives and policymakers to communicate their needs and explain their priorities on the topic. Relevant scientific research, policy examples and best practices will be presented and discussed.
In order to formulate effective tourism policies, a holistic European approach is needed taking into account the multiple impacts of coastal and maritime tourism as well as the wide spectrum of stakeholders involved or affected by tourism. The event welcomes local, national and international stakeholders representing tourism, environmental protection, natural and cultural heritage, planning and management, research and policymaking.
Programme
08:30 Registration and coffee
09:00 Opening words
Asko Aro-Heinilä, the Regional Mayor, The Regional Council of Satakunta
09:10 Welcome remarks
Aino-Maija Luukkonen, Mayor, City of Pori
09:20 Introduction to the Science meets Regions concept
Stijn Verleyen, Coordinator for Interinstitutional Relations, Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Commission
09:40 Keynote: Can sustainable tourism development save the world? Speech (Youtube video)
Sirpa Pietikäinen, Finnish Member of the European Parliament
10:00 Setting the scene: Opportunities and challenges for sustainable development in coastal and maritime tourism in Finland, Presentation (pdf)
Dr Sanna-Mari Renfors, Head of the Research Group, Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
10:30 Sustainable tourism management models and global best practices
Global Best Practices on coastal and maritime sustainable tourism, Presentation (pdf)
Dr Ioannis Pappas, Director, The Global Sustainable Tourism Council,
DMOs for coastal and maritime sustainable tourism, Presentation (pdf)
Silvia Barbone, Managing Director, The Foundation for European Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable Finland – how destinations can adapt sustainable approach, Presentation (pdf)
Liisa Kokkarinen, Regional Partnership Manager, Visit Finland
Responsibility programme in Finnish marine national parks, Presentation (pdf)
Terhi Koipijärvi, Director of Communications, Metsähallitus
12:00 Networking lunch and coffee (10 €/person)
13:00 Keynote: From vulnerability to resilience: New (big) data and methods to characterize tourism in European regions, Presentation (pdf)
Filipe Batista, Researcher, Joint Research Centre (JRC), European commission
13:30 Panel discussion: From policy formulation and implementation to actions
Moderator: Milosz Momot, Deputy Head of Tourism, Emerging and Creative Industries Unit (European Commission, DG GROW)
Sampsa Nissinen, Director of Unit, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Dr Henna Konu, Research Scientist, Natural Resources Institute Finland
Katja Bonnevier, Coordinator, The UNESCO Archipelago Sea Area Biosphere Reserve
Henrik Jansson, Regional Director, Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland
Dr Minna Tunkkari-Eskelinen, Principal Lecturer, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences
Asta Laaksonen, Regional Partnership Manager, Visit Finland
14:45 Workshop on the future steps in sustainable coastal and maritime tourism management
Designing a cooperation action plan with PM4SD methodology developed by the Foundation for European Sustainable Tourism
16:15 Concluding remarks
Krista Tupala, Regional Advisor, The Regional Council of Satakunta
Venue
The event will be held on 26 September 2019 and is hosted at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Finland. The day programme is held in SAMK Campus Pori, Satakunnankatu 23.
Getting to Pori
Arriving by plane: Most international flights to Finland arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa airport. From Helsinki there are new flight connections available to Pori, see the schedules. Turku and Tampere are also possible destinations and are located near Pori.
Arriving by train: There are train connections between Helsinki-Vantaa airport and Pori. For detailed timetables and price information, please visit the webpage VR.
Arriving by bus: There are direct connections between Helsinki city centre and Pori. For detailed timetables and price information, please visit the webpage Matkahuolto.
Accommodation
For hotel reservations, we recommend using Hotel Bepop, which is located in proximity to the campus. We have special arrangements with the hotel. The room price is 85 eur/single room and 99 eur/double room including breakfast (booking code: Science meets Regions, prices valid until 4 September 2019, bookings bepop@hotelbepop.fi).
Fees
The event is free of charge. The cost of lunch is 10 €/pp. The social evening programme is by invitation only.
Participants will cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Registration
Registration is required for all participants. Limited number of seats.
Keynote speakers and moderators
Sirpa Pietikäinen
Finnish Member of the European Parliament
Sirpa Pietikäinen, MEP since 2008. Earlier Minister of Environment and a Member of the Finnish Parliament. Member in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, and in the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality. As the current key positions of trust she is Member of the Board at Kone Oyj, Fortum Advisory Council and Lammi Savings Bank. Furthermore, Pietikäinen is Chairman of the Supervisory Board at The Finnish Lifelong Learning Foundation and at Kone Foundation, The Advisory Board of the Saari Residence.
Dr. Ioannis Pappas
Director Mediterranean Region, Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Dr. Ioannis Pappas, CEO & Co-Founder of GREEN EVOLUTION SA, is Director for Mediterranean Region of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. He is a Mechanical Engineer, with PhD in Applied Mechanics, with over 28 years of work in several fields of science, focusing in Sustainability for Tourism, Energy and Environmental Efficiency in Infrastructure and Buildings, Advising in standardization of companies and technological implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation methodologies. He is Lead GSTC Assessor for Destinations in EMEA, Auditor for several Sustainable Tourism Certification Standards, focusing in Hotels, Tour Operators and Destinations, and Lead Trainer for GSTC in South East Europe Region.
Silvia Barbone
Director, Jlag and the Foundation for European Sustainable Tourism (FEST)
Silvia Barbone is the founder and the director of Jlag and FEST and Head of EU Projects and Partnerships at Federturismo Confindustria. She holds a Master Degree in Destination Management and she is an international expert in sustainable tourism with an extensive knowledge of the European tourism, cultural and social policies. She has worked as consultant and researcher for local, regional and national governments in Europe and Mediterranean countries. Silvia plans and manages both large and small-scale tourism projects in partnership with universities, enterprises and public authorities. She is the developer of the PM4SD methodology. She has designed and implemented many projects, from small to large scale, and set up international partnerships, planned and delivered training activities and events. This involves working with leading global organisations, including UNWTO, UNESCO, UNEP, European Travel Commission, European Commission, European Parliament, UNEP, World Bank. She is a regular public speaker at international conferences.
Filipe Batista
Researcher, Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Commission
Filipe Batista is a scientific project officer at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission since 2010. He is involved in geospatial data analyses, land use and population mapping and modelling, and integrated territorial impact assessment of EU policies. Previously he worked as a research fellow at the University of Porto, Portugal, where he obtained a degree in Geography and a master in Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Planning. He is currently completing his PhD studies at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Filipe regularly contributes to technical and policy documents and is author of papers in various scientific journals.
Rita Strömmer
The event will be moderated by experienced videojournalist Ms Rita Strömmer, who is currently working as a Senior Correspondent and newsanchor at MTV3 NEWS in Finland.


