Internationalization Training for Tourism Companies
Do you want to develop your company’s capabilities for international markets but don’t know where to start?
Do you want to better understand what internationalization means specifically for your company?
Do you need clarity on how your product, target customer group, and message align with international demand?
Lapland’s appeal continues to grow, and international demand remains strong. More and more tourism companies are expanding their operations into international markets. Now is the right time to get involved—one step at a time.
The "Lapland Goes Global" clinic series offers practical support to small and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism sector during the early stages of internationalization. The program helps companies assess their current situation, identify the most important steps for development, and advance their internationalization in a clear and realistic manner.
For whom?
The training program is intended for small and medium-sized tourism businesses operating in Lapland that are planning to expand internationally or are in the early stages of doing so. Tourism must be their primary business activity.
What does the service offer?
This free program includes two joint group coaching sessions for the companies, as well as a company-specific coaching session following the joint sessions.
The goal of the clinic is not to produce ready-made strategies, but to help companies take controlled and concrete steps forward.
understand their current level of internationalization
identify their most important milestones
gain practical tools to support internationalization
learns to assess how products and services meet international demand
can be further developed during a company-specific coaching session
Apply now
Sign up using the Webropol formLink to another website. (opens in a new window). Space is limited to 20 companies—secure your spot early!
Registration closes no later than Friday, April 24, 2026.
Schedule
The clinic program includes two group coaching sessions and a company-specific coaching session. The group coaching sessions are held before the company-specific coaching sessions so that companies can first establish a common foundation and then focus on their own development during the coaching session.
1) Joint training session: The basics of internationalization and understanding your own situation
Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 9:00–11:30 a.m. (Teams)
The training session will cover the fundamentals of internationalization in the tourism industry and the company’s current situation. The session will explore, among other things, what internationalization means for an SME in the tourism industry, what capabilities it requires, how a company can assess its current situation, and what factors should be evaluated first in the initial stages. In addition, the session will examine which factors influence market choices and which markets a company should target in the early stages.
After the training, participants will have a better understanding of their company’s current situation and will have a foundation for the next steps in its development.
Coach: Suvi Ahola
2) Joint training session: Choices and focus in the early stages of internationalization
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 1:00–3:30 p.m. (Teams)
The training focuses on the choices a company should make in the early stages of internationalization. The session covers topics such as identifying customer segments, the suitability of products and services for international markets, the company’s differentiators and core messages, the basic logic of direct sales and reselling, B2B thinking and the basic principles of product sheets, as well as the role of digital channels and online visibility in internationalization.
After the training, participants will be able to identify the areas in their own company that they should focus on next.
Coach: Greta Tanskanen
3) Company-specific coaching session
Duration: 2 hours per company (Teams)
The company-specific coaching session focuses on the key theme(s) relevant to the company’s internationalization. The coaching session is tailored to the company’s specific situation and needs.
A coaching session may cover topics such as:
the development of a product suitable for international sales
clarifying customer segments
the suitability of a product or service for international markets
differentiators and key messages
the role of digital channels in internationalization
The goal of the coaching session is to provide the company with concrete development recommendations and clear next steps to support its internationalization efforts.
Who is the coach?
The joint training sessions will be led by Suvi Ahola and Greta Tanskanen, experts from NordicMarketing Finland Oy.
Liisa Tuokko (NordicMarketing Finland Oy) and Kirsi Mikkola (DigiPro Liiketoiminta) will also participate in the company-specific coaching sessions. The coach is selected based on the company’s needs and the topic to be addressed.
Suvi Ahola and Greta Tanskanen are experienced internationalization experts who have advised tourism companies across Finland. They help companies take their first steps into international markets, clarify their direction, and turn their ideas into action.
The entire implementation team’s approach emphasizes a practical mindset, taking the company’s specific situation into account, and concrete next steps.
Terms of Service
The program can accommodate up to 20 companies; each company may send one or more participants. The program will take place if at least 8 companies register. If the number of registrants exceeds the number of available spots, the Strategic Growth in Transition project will select the participants and notify registrants of the selections via email.
The service is completely free of charge for participating companies, but the value of the service is counted as de minimis aid for the company. Further information de minimis aid (tem.fi)Link to another website. (opens in a new window)Link to another website. (opens in a new window).
By registering, the entrepreneur/company agrees to enter their participation details into the EURA 2021 system and to return the completed de minimis form provided to them.
For more information:SKM@elinvoimakeskus.fi