Goal

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen cross-border cooperation between industrial companies, tourism actors and industrial heritage organisations in the Aurora region. By bringing these sectors together, the project aims to create a permanent network of stakeholders who jointly develop innovative, experience based tourism products that highlight the shared industrial cultural heritage of the region. The project will result in cross border industrial heritage tourism services co-created and tested by the participating actors and an Industrial Heritage route in the region and a publication that showcases the regions industrial stories, past and present and gives tools and tips how to utilize industrial heritage for tourism. Through improved cooperation, visibility and joint product development, the project contributes to increasing the attractiveness, resilience and sustainable development of the Aurora region.

Results

The main outcome is a joint cross border Industrial Heritage Route, combining sites, stories, and ready to market tourism products into a coherent, experience-based journey. The route highlights shared industrial roots, from mining and forestry to energy and manufacturing and supports year-round tourism, regional visibility and employer attractiveness.

Usability of the results

The project ensures long term sustainability by embedding the results within existing regional structures and by establishing a committed cross border stakeholder network. The industrial heritage route will be maintained and further developed by the involved Visit organisations and heritage actors, who will integrate the route into their regular tourism offering and marketing activities. Industrial companies and tourism SMEs will continue the co creation model initiated in the project, using the developed products in their own services and employer attractiveness actions. The publication and shared narratives produced during the project will remain openly available and can be used by municipalities, educators and tourism actors for future development and promotion. The cross border network created during the project will continue as a collaborative platform for new initiatives, and partners will explore opportunities to link the route to the ERIH network for long term visibility. By anchoring the results in regional strategies and existing organisations, the projects outcomes will continue to generate impact beyond the project period.