How do six NPA communities want tourism revenue to be spent?

How would six NPA communities like to have tourism revenue spent?

From Finland and Sweden to Ireland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, local communities shared remarkably similar messages about how tourism should benefit the places where it happens.

As part of the RETURN project, community events were organised across six NPA programme areas to explore how tourism-related revenues could better support local communities and the environments where tourism takes place.

Four clear messages emerged:

1. Tourism growth creates similar pressures across very different destinations — on infrastructure, housing, public services, nature and community wellbeing.

2. Communities want tourism-derived revenue to be reinvested locally — particularly in infrastructure, services, nature protection, visitor management and community liveability.

3. There is no single preferred revenue model. Accommodation taxes, visitor fees, parking fees and voluntary contributions may all have a role, depending on the local context.

4. Transparency and local involvement are essential. People want to know where the money goes, how decisions are made and how local communities can influence the use of tourism revenues.

One particularly strong message stood out:

Tourism revenue should not simply be used to generate more tourism. It should help destinations manage tourism better and create visible benefits for local communities and the environment.

This is at the heart of RETURN: exploring how tourism can contribute more directly to disaster risk prevention, climate resilience, and the wellbeing and long-term sustainability of the places on which it depends.

For more detailed information, please contact RETURN project manager Ari Martin Laakso, ari.laakso@ulapland.fi