Kenkävero is thanked for developing the cultural and historical environment, Ilkka Juva for his tireless lobbying.
Mikkeli Region Tourism Services awarded its annual tourism development prizes on Saturday evening.
The 2022 Tourism Achievement Award went to Kenkävero, whose business is run by Taito Itä-Suomi ry.
Shoe tax meets the challenges and demand of the times
Kenkävero’s old rectory is located near the centre of Mikkeli, on the 5 road. The parsonage was converted into a tourist facility in 1991, and today it houses a restaurant and a café. Behind the building is a traditional garden, and in the courtyard there is a bakery and a handicraft shop.
According to the reasons for the award, Kenkävero’s activities and services have been developed while respecting the culturally and historically valuable milieu, but responding to the challenges and demand of the time.
Häkkinen is the CEO of Mikkeli region tourism services and Miksei Mikkeli’s tourism director.
Ilkka Juva was rewarded for his tireless advocacy
Ilkka Juva has been a free-time resident of Puumala since 1985.
He has served as a member and chairman of the leisure residents’ delegation of the Mikkeli region. Currently, Juva sits on the board of the Mikkelin Seudun Matkailupalvelut ry and is the chairman of the board of the War and Peace Center Memory.
– Ilkka Juva’s love for Saimaa and the Mikkeli region has meant tireless advocacy at the highest levels of the country, active participation and sharing of expertise in the development of tourism and leisure in the region, Maisa Häkkinen justifies the award.
Ilkka Juva says that he enjoys the Mikkeli region because of the atmosphere.
– Living, doing business and participating is easy. Work is done and services are offered more from person to person than from seller to buyer. When I see things this way, I have also wanted to make my own contribution.