Tourism and Leisure Services Programme 2006-2012 DM 2010
Funding for Innovative Tourism and Leisure Service Concepts The programme concentrates on the development of tourism, sports, well-being and cultural services. Programme duration: 2006-2012 Programme volume: approx. 28 million euros, of which Tekes share is approx. 20 million euros. Further information: www.tekes.fi/vapaa-aika DM 2010
The programme's services for companies and public research institutions Funding for the development and research projects in-line with the goals of the programme Programme services in order to encourage participant's Networking Internationalisation Development of business skills Transfer of research results into SMEs Community, where also the competitors can meet each other as partners Possibility to gain publicity for the projects outcome
The aim of the programme The overriding aim of the programme is to strengthen and develope the expertise of doing business within leisure services providing companies This, in turn, will help to Create innovative, internationally competitive tourism and leisure services Improve the availability, quality and attractiveness of Finnish tourism and leisure services Improve the efficiency of service production and the reliability of the service production chain Start up new enterprises specialised on tourism and leisure services Promote networked business model in the area of tourism and leisure services
What kind of development can be funded? Development of the expertise of doing business Innovative and challenging development within companies New, innovative service concepts Recognition of customer needs and market potential are in the central role New concepts in service production Innovation activities tourism and leisure service concepts Whole process of service production; controlling the value chain Service production processes for a network of companies
The focus areas in developing innovative tourism and leisure service concepts Customer needs, customer behaviour and market potential Development of methods and know-how ranging from the needs of multicultural clientele Exploiting of methods for customer feedback and customer flow Technologies supporting tourism and leisure service concepts Applying and developing technologies that either support the whole service concept or are precondition for the whole concept customer interface services, back office services, equipment, appliances Management, production and seamless coordination of tourism and leisure service processes in a networked business environment Sustainable development and environment-friendly tourism and leisure services Cooperation between corporate and private organisations International networking is an essential part of all focus areas
What is service concept? Standardized service product or production process The individual aspect is always involved in services and they cannot be standardized, but at least a part of a service or process can be standardized The service process or at least a part of it must be multipliable in other environments or for other customers Concepting improves productivity and quality of services
Who can get funding from the programme? The programme is meant for all companies and research institutions, which are participating into the systematic development of tourism and leisure services Companies registered and worked in Finland Developing business should benefits economy of Finland No size limits No regional limits The companies must have capability to success Tourism, culture, entertainment, recreation, sports and well-being are the target areas, but any other services developed for people s free time, spending outside of their homes, can be suitable for programme funding. In addition, development of business services, which are aimed for the enterprises producing leisure services, can also be suitable for programme funding.
What kind of projects can be funded? Projects with a high level of challenge The services developed must be innovative and have a novelty value on the markets The projects to be funded are selected by evaluating the business to be generated the technology, innovation and competence to be developed the resources available the cooperation to be developed and used the social and environmental well-being factors to be promoted the impact of Tekes funding and expert services Funding is for Product development Service development Business development
How to apply for funding Companies Companies can send in applications at any time Companies can participate through their own projects or become part of joint research projects Universities and research institutes Programme organise targeted calls for universities and research institutes to apply to the programme
Support for international co-operation Organisations based outside Finland can co-operate with Tekes programmes in various ways. Most research and development projects funded by programmes involve international R&D cooperation Tekes can offer funding for the Finnish counterparts in joint projects finance researcher mobility to and from Finland facilitate the exchange of information network partners across borders Tekes has established cooperation agreements with international funding agencies all over the world to exchange information and launch joint calls for proposals or joint R&D programmes
Project examples Operative integration of networks WAF-Network ASP system New Golf Game Ice Event -concept etourismprofiler Finnish hotel of tomorrow Dynamic Travel Network Service RoomToday-sms service and many others -> for more examples, please, visit www.tekes.fi/vapaa-aika
Programme status September 2010 70 projects funded Total funding so far: 17 million euros Tekes share is approx. 10 million euros
Contact information Programme Manager: Mr. Risto Mäkikyrö, Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Lapland risto.makikyro(at)tekes.fi Programme coordinator: Mr. Pauli Santala, FCG Finnish Consulting Group Oy pauli.santala(at)fcg.fi Assistant coordinators: Ms. Polina Kiviniemi, FCG Finnish Consulting Group Oy polina.kiviniemi(at)fcg.fi Mrs. Minna Kurttila, FCG Finnish Consulting Group Oy minna.kurttila(at)fcg.fi Programme activator for creative sector: Mr. Jari Palonen, CreaMentors Oy jari.palonen(at)creamentors.fi Further information: www.tekes.fi/vapaa-aika