Kainuu Orienteering Week Brings Tourism Revenue and Thousands of Orienteers to Sotkamo
Published: 03.12.2024
– The first registration phase ended on the weekend of November 30, 2024, and things are looking very promising at this stage, states the chief of competition Antti Flöjt from Sotkamon Jymy.
In the first registration phase, 790 participants registered for Kainuu Orienteering Week's competition series, 167 for recreational orienteering, and 90 for the Kainuu MTB Orienteering Week. This brings the current total to 1,047 participants, 32 more than in the corresponding phase of the 2019 event held in Tipasoja, Sotkamo (1,015 participants). In 2019, the total number of participants reached 4,379.
Based on the current registration figures, Flöjt estimates that more than 5,000 visitors will attend next summer’s family-friendly week of orienteering and holiday.
Tourism Revenue from the Event Estimated at Around 3 Million Euros
Kainuu Orienteering Week, in collaboration with the Regional Council of Kainuu, conducted a visitor survey during the 2024 event. The study, carried out by Sponsor Insight Finland, included responses from 455 participants, representing approximately 11.5% of all registered participants.
The survey revealed that the average participant spent approximately €754 in the Kainuu region during the event. With 3,962 registered participants in 2024, the event generated an estimated €2.97 million for the regional economy.
– These are significant figures for the Kainuu region, says Jukka Liuha, Secretary General of Kainuu Orienteering Week Association and the KOW2025 event.
Liuha also highlights that the actual economic impact is even greater, as the survey did not account for spectators and support personnel.
– Last summer, we conservatively estimated that there were about 1,000 spectators and support personnel in addition to registered participants, Liuha adds.
Breakdown of Participant Spending:
Accommodation: €336
Purchases from stores: €124
Fuel and other expenses: €73
Restaurant services: €63
Transportation: €9
Participation fees: €78
Other event-related purchases: €71
Liuha emphasizes that a significant portion of the participation fees and event-related purchases remains within the Kainuu region. These funds are used to cover event organization costs and to support and develop the operations of the organizing clubs.
– Kainuu Orienteering Week is hosted by five local clubs—Sotkamon Jymy, Suomussalmen Rasti, Puolangan Ryhti, Kuhmon Peurat, and Kajaanin Suunnistajat—on a rotational basis, with each club organizing the event once every five years, Liuha explains.
The clubs use the event’s proceeds over the next 4–5 years to fund local orienteering activities, including evening orienteering events, children’s and youth orienteering schools, recreational sports programs, map updates, and supporting orienteering education in schools.
– The event promotes the region's well-being and long-term sports opportunities, Liuha concludes.
Accommodation Needed for the Week
The event's accommodation service is currently seeking houses, apartments, holiday cottages, and other rental properties, especially within 20–50 kilometers of the competition center (Otrantie 7 B, Sotkamo). Properties located further away will also be considered.
– We want to serve our customers as effectively as possible, says Minna Rönkkö from the KOW office, who oversees private accommodation rental coordination.
– Although Sotkamo and Vuokatti already have a wide range of accommodation options, our participants have diverse needs. Therefore, we aim to offer as broad a selection as possible to ensure that everyone can participate in the orienteering week, Rönkkö adds.
Accommodation is required for the entire orienteering week, from Saturday, June 28, to Saturday, July 5, 2025.
For more information:
Chief of Competition Antti Flöjt +358 44 5336 078, kilpailunjohtaja@rastiviikko.fi
Secretary General Jukka Liuha +358 44 7679 533, jukka.liuha@rastiviikko.fi
KOW Office, phone: +358 44 512 3517, info@rastiviikko.fi
Website: www.rastiviikko.fi
