Tourism businesses in North Savo are being urged to get their websites up and running and provide information about their services in as many languages as possible.
Soon everyone is walking towards the dogs, who are already waiting impatiently. Ahead is an experience that foreign tourists come to Finland for: dog sledding.
Pursiainen is an exceptional tourism entrepreneur in North Savo. More than 90 percent of its customers come from outside Finland. On the day of the interview, a German couple should have been present, but they had to cancel due to illness. Later in the day, a group of 20 Germans were due to arrive.
– Customers find us through Google, partners or travel agencies,” says Pursiainen.
Sawo husky’s website provides information about services in Finnish as well as in English. The German version is almost ready. Apart from that, the information that comes up through the search engine is fine. This way even self-employed travelers can find the company easily.
– Foreign self-employed tourists come to the area and stay in Airbnb cabins, Pursiainen knows.
Web visibility should be rapidly improved elsewhere too
In general, tourism companies in Pohjois Savo still have a lot of work to do to reach foreign tourists. Many companies have shortcomings on their websites when the offer is only described in Finnish. Some do not have websites at all yet.
In North Savo, the share of foreign tourists is currently only about 10 percent. The goal of Pohjois-Savo Matkailu Oy, which is currently being founded, is to start marketing Pohjois-Savo to, for example, Central Europe.
Hyttinen knows that there are companies in the area whose products are of interest on the international market. The online presence still needs to be fixed.
– In an ideal situation, the company would talk about its offer in at least German and Swedish in addition to English. At best, the customer should be able to purchase the services via the website, says Hyttinen.
Some tourists seek a peaceful environment
Tourists have come to Savo just because of Laura Pursiainen’s company. The possibility of a dog sled ride may seal the decision to visit a more peaceful place.
– Not all tourists want to go to Lapland because it’s crowded, he says.
Sawo husky is currently the only company in the field in Pohjois Savo. After tourism came to a standstill during the corona virus, many people stopped operating.
At the moment, the reservation books are filling up again. Husky entrepreneurs collaborate all the time. When the entrepreneur’s time is full, he suggests a place where you can ask for a sleigh ride.
For example, Pursiainen directs customers to Vuokatti. They have driven to Suonenjoki even from Rovaniemi.
A dog hobby that started 20 years ago grew into a business
37-year-old Pursiainen’s herd of 27 huskies started about 20 years ago. The first dog was a collie and husky mix. While the dog was still alive, Pursiainen decided that the next dog would be entirely a husky. When the first animal died in an accident, he got himself first one and soon another purebred husky.
Two Huskies were already able to drive with a propeller. However, Pursiainen wanted a whole team, so there were already five dogs next. However, the sleigh ride took Pursiainen with it, and the size of the husky pack grew even bigger. Soon it started raining invitations to come with the team to various events. It also started to develop its own travel company.
Running the company is a seasonal job for Pursiainen. During the season, there is one employee to help. After the snow is closed, he works as a conductor for VR.
However, Pursiainen’s goal is to get paid entirely from the company one day. An overnight safari and a ride, during which a nature concert will be heard, are being developed.
*You can discuss the topic until 23:00 on 11 January 2023.*