NECSTouR Summit 2026

The NECSTouR Summit will bring together tourism stakeholders in Kotka with the objective of knowledge transfer and deepening connections through interactive living labs, peer-to-peer exchanges and study visits. Participants will experience the Baltic territorial reality in the Kotka Hamina Region through a compelling programme of strategic discussions on sustainable mobility, climate action plans, and heritage-based tourism as a driver of authentic tourism. 

This will include three thematic workshops and an EU Projects Exhibition: 

1. Sustainable Mobility and Climate Action Planning: This workshop explores how destinations can integrate mobility and climate action into tourism planning, providing practical examples and facilitated discussion on implementing sustainability objectives at destination level. This interactive workshop will address real-world challenges that tourism destinations face when developing and implementing climate action plans. The session includes an overview of the Finnish collaborative model, where signatories of the Glasgow Declaration have joined forces to support one another through peer learning and shared problem-solving. 

2. Heritage Tourism as a Driver of Authentic Experiences: Focused on the role of cultural and heritage assets in destination development, this session examines how destinations can use heritage to create authentic visitor experiences while supporting local identity and resilience. 

3. Baltic Perspective on Regenerative Tourism: This workshop presents lessons and approaches emerging from the Baltic region, exploring how regenerative tourism can create positive impacts for communities, environments and local economies. 

The Summit will also feature an EU Projects Exhibition, offering a unique opportunity for participants to showcase their EU funded initiatives, present results and engage with potential partners. Projects included will focus on the intersection of tourism and climate action.