Co-Designing the Future of Nuuksio Lakeland: Insights from Our Online Workshop
On 25 May 2026, stakeholders from across the Nuuksio Lakeland region in Finland came together for an online co-design workshop focused on shaping the future of the Virtual Nature Tour. The session brought together tourism entrepreneurs, regional development organisations, and researchers, creating a collaborative space to exchange ideas, validate concepts, and refine how the destination is presented to international audiences. Attendees included representatives from Visit Espoo, Nuuksio Lakeland Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, Reset Holidays, Helmenmaa Oy, Experience Aika, Haltia Lake Lodge, Nuukion Taika (the Magic of Nuuksio), SOWL Forest Bathing, Finnish Student Exchange (Silta Oy), Naturally Finland, Hawkhill Resort, and the Solvalla Sport Academy for Health and Wellbeing (Solvalla Folkhalsan).
The workshop marked an important step in the ongoing development of the Nuuksio Lakeland Stories initiative, including the Virtual Nature Tours. The workshop makes the next step in Luke’s active engagement of local expertise and lived experience to co-create meaningful and authentic storytelling moment, and to integrate them into a place-based Virtual Nature Tour manuscript. Participants contributed insights not only about how Nuuksio is experienced, but how it should be communicated including the deeper values that define the region and the work of its tourism stakeholders.
A Shared Vision: Nature as a Transformative Experience
One of the strongest outcomes of the workshop was a clear and shared vision: Nuuksio Lakeland is not just a destination, it is a transformative experience shaped by nature, wellbeing, and human connection. Participants consistently emphasised that the region’s strength lies in its ability to help visitors slow down, reconnect, and experience a sense of calm that is increasingly rare in today’s fast-paced world.
Finnish Happiness and nature-based wellbeing emerged as the central themes, supported by ideas of silence, simplicity, authenticity, and emotional renewal. These elements will form the foundation of the Virtual Nature Tour, ensuring that it goes beyond visual representation to capture the feeling of being in Nuuksio.
From Ideas to Actionable Design
The workshop was highly interactive, using tools such as live polling, collaborative discussion, and persona-based exercises to generate concrete input. Participants actively contributed to refining storytelling themes, identifying key visitor segments, and shaping how the virtual experience should be designed. A key takeaway was the importance of authentic, experience-based storytelling. Stakeholders highlighted that the tour should reflect real people, real places, and everyday moments—avoiding overly staged or commercial content. In practice, this means showcasing local voices, subtle cultural practices, and genuine interactions with nature.
Participants also emphasised the need for multi-sensory engagement, suggesting the use of soundscapes, slow pacing, and moments of stillness to convey the atmosphere of the forest, lakes, and landscapes. These elements are essential to translating a physical nature experience into a compelling digital format.
Understanding Visitors and Their Needs
The workshop also helped clarify who the Virtual Nature Tour is designed for and what entrepreneurs’ hope they will experience through the tour. Stakeholders identified wellbeing-oriented travellers as a priority audience—visitors seeking relaxation, meaningful experiences, and connection to nature. These travellers were identified as valuing calm environments, authenticity, and flexibility, but also expect clarity and ease when planning their journey.
As a result, participants highlighted the importance of including clear orientation and practical information within the storytelling. Many international visitors may be unfamiliar with Finland’s geography or how to access Nuuksio, so the virtual experience should help reduce uncertainty while maintaining an inspiring narrative.
Embedding Sustainability Through Story
Sustainability was a cross-cutting theme throughout the workshop. However, rather than presenting it through rules or instructions, participants strongly agreed that it should be embedded naturally within the storytelling. By showing respectful behaviour, everyday practices, and local stewardship, the Virtual Nature Tour can encourage responsible tourism in an engaging and intuitive way.
The concept of regenerative tourism also gained strong support. Participants highlighted the opportunity for tourism to contribute positively to local communities and ecosystems, positioning Nuuksio Lakeland as a destination where visitors can be part of something meaningful.
A Collaborative and Productive Process
The workshop successfully brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including Destination Marketing Organisations, Nature and Wellbeing Tourism entrepreneurs, and Food, Hospitality and Accommodation owners and operators, and fostered active participation throughout the session. Despite minor technical challenges, discussions remained constructive, solution-focused, and highly relevant to the project’s goals. Importantly, the process strengthened a shared sense of ownership, with participants contributing not only ideas but also practical perspectives grounded in real experience.
Feedback from participants reflected the value of the workshop, with one stakeholder noting that it was “really useful with insights relevant for the region beyond development of the Virtual Nature Tour” highlighting how the project aligns with regional destination marketing, promotion and networking efforts.
What Happens Next?
The insights gathered during the workshop will directly inform the next iteration of the Virtual Nature Tour manuscript and finalization of regional filming efforts. This includes refining the narrative structure, strengthening emotional storytelling, and ensuring that the experience aligns with both visitor expectations and local values.
As the project progresses, collaboration will remain central including provide opportunities to highlight local regenerative tourism initiatives like the June 2026 Lupin Invasive Species Battle. Continued engagement with stakeholders will help ensure that the final outcome reflects the unique identity of Nuuksio Lakeland—authentic, sustainable, and deeply connected to nature.
Together, we are shaping a new way to experience Nuuksio Lakeland—one that invites people not just to visit, but to feel, connect, and care.