Inspiring Visitor Engagement with Rural Cultural Heritage Tourism

A sustainable tourism project focused on connecting locals and visitors with rural heritage, led by the Centre for Recreation and Tourism Research (CRTR) at UHI North, West and Hebrides, is one of nine projects set to receive funding from the Scottish Government as part of the third annual round of the Arctic Connections Fund.

CRTR and the University of Lapland have come together to take forward a project that will help small rural communities based in under-visited destinations promote local heritage for the benefit of both locals and visitors. Staff at both universities will work with community organisations in Ardgour in Scotland and the Upper Kemijoki River area in Finnish Lapland to create a series of audio trails celebrating local stories and landmarks. They will also gather local business information that could be incorporated into a larger tourism app. This will celebrate and promote the cultural and natural heritage of these destinations which are often overshadowed by more popular tourist attractions nearby. It’s hoped that the audio trail will launch by the end of March 2024 and will include stories from the area chosen, curated and told by local residents.

The Arctic Connections Fund was set up in 2021 to help Scottish organisations and communities work with partners in the Arctic. It is designed to promote the exchange of expertise on shared issues and raise awareness of common ambitions.

-two audio trail in the Geotourist app: 'A Walk in Ardgour' in Scotland and 'Yläkemijoen kierros' (A Tour in Upper Kemijoki River Area) in Lapland
-a practical guide for the creation of local heritage audio trails