GLOW Sustainable Green energy tehcnoLogy solutions for tOurism groWth
GLOW2.0 Green energy technologies for tourism growth
The Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme is funding the GLOW2.0 project, which aims to encourage and help businesses and public organisations to increase the attractiveness of tourism during the darkest time of the year. The aim is to strengthen the year-round nature of tourism in the region and make it more profitable for small businesses.
During the project, companies will be offered training and information packages on how to use the unlit skies for tourism. These may include, for example:
- astrotourism, northern lights and stargazing (Milky Way, constellations and related stories)
- tourism activities exploiting the darkness
- awareness of light pollution and how to protect the environment from excessive light (e.g. how to direct lighting)
The three main themes of the project are:
- Strengthening the capacity of businesses to provide, market and promote tourism services related to the dark skies; introducing businesses to easy-to-use immersive technologies (AR, VR) and their use in tourism business.
- Development of virtual planetarium, 360 photography and stargazing technology applications to share and adapt viewing experiences to the needs of the regions involved in the project. The Virtual Planetarium will be implemented by the Norwegian partner of the project (The Arctic University, Narvik Campus).
- Strengthening and promoting the Dark Skies tourism concept throughout the NPA area, taking into account natural resources.
The results will take into account existing tourism strategies and other tourism services for natural and cultural heritage. They will help businesses to develop their own economically viable green business models that conserve natural resources. The aim is for each of the regions involved to improve and effectively communicate their tourism offer.
Total budget: € 1,798,328.64
ERDF contribution: € 1,366,645.00
PARTNERS
Karelia University of Applied Sciences, coordinator
Regional Cooperation Association of Northern Lapland (PLAKY) (Sodankylä, Inari, Utsjoki)
Federation of Regional Authorities NW Iceland (Iceland)
The Gaeltacht Authority (Ireland)
Innovation and Management Centre WestBIC (Ireland)
UiT The Arctic University of Norway (Norway)
ASSOCIATED PARTNERS
Ulster University (Northern Ireland)
Snæfellsnes Regional Park (Iceland)
Elinkeino-, liikenne- ja Umweltökeskus / ELY-keskus (Finland)
National Parks and Wildlife Services (Ireland)
Värriön Research Station, University of Helsinki (Finland)
Hólar University (Iceland)
Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, University of Oulu (Finland)
Website: https://glow.karelia.fi/
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