goSaimaa announces: Development work in the Rauha-Ukonniemi area begins

The project aims to create a strong and unified brand for the area, which will strengthen its reputation as a year-round destination offering diverse activity opportunities. The project focuses in particular on product development and the creation of a network-like operating model to strengthen the area's appeal.

Rauha-Ukonniemi is a diverse and attractive area that meets international tourism criteria. The area's good infrastructure and accommodation options enable visits by individual nature and active tourists, as well as larger customer groups, and make the area an excellent place to organize large events.  

- Holiday Club considers the project to be strategically important. The Saimaa region, especially the Rauha-Ukonniemi cluster, has the potential to develop into a significant tourist destination. The area already offers a wide range of accommodation and activities for both domestic and international tourists. The goal is for the area to attract tourists and event attendees all year round, says Holiday Club's CEO Maisa Romanainen.

The aim is to develop the Rauha-Ukonniemi region into an internationally renowned tourism hub based on sustainable tourism. The project will diversify the tourism offering in the region and strengthen its vitality, which will also create new job opportunities. This development will contribute to the objectives of the South Karelia Regional Programme in strengthening the vitality, competitiveness and sustainable development of the region. The project will create a coordinated operating model in which public actors and small and medium-sized enterprises can take advantage of co-development opportunities, such as extensive branding and marketing cooperation. 

- The cities of Lappeenranta and Imatra have intensified their cooperation to strengthen the vitality of South Karelia, and cooperation with goSaimaa in the marketing and development of tourism has been smooth, says the Director of Vitality of the City of Lappeenranta Ding Ma.
Special attention is paid to the productization of wellness, sports and cycling tourism, utilizing the unique natural values ​​of the area. Golf tourism is also a key part of the project, as the area has a lot to offer this high-potential customer target group.

- The Rauha-Ukonniemi area already has a very competitive infrastructure, but investment will also be made in its further development, especially in terms of the routes. During 2025, a route concept and development plan for the area will be drawn up, focusing on the productisation of the routes and improving guidance, says the Marketing and Tourism Director of the City of Imatra Jaakko Jäppinen.

The Rauha-Ukonniemi International Resort project was launched in early 2025, and its goals are progressing at full speed. The project manager Katri Hiltunen brings to the project a diverse range of international experience, which she has gained over almost 15 years working in tourism companies in England and Australia, among others. As a returnee born in Imatra, Katri sees enormous potential in the area and is committed to taking the project forward with determination.

The co-development is expected to attract broad participation from both companies and third sector representatives. The first workshop for stakeholders will be held on April 17, 2025 at Holiday Club Saimaan Rauha, and will provide an opportunity to discuss the progress of the project and opportunities for collaboration.
 

More information about the project can be found at From the goSaimaa website.

For more information:

Katja Vehviläinen, Director of goSaimaa Oy, tel. +358 44 717 7991, katja.vehlainengosaimaa.com (katja[dot]vehvilainen[at]gosaimaa[dot]com)

Katri Hiltunen, Project Manager, goSaimaa Oy, tel. +358 44 445 5520, katri.hiltunengosaimaa.com (katri[dot]hiltunen[at]gosaimaa[dot]com)