Rauma region’s tourism has recovered after Covid-19 – growth still needed

Rauma region’s tourism has recovered after Covid-19 – growth still needed

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In 2022, the Rauma region’s direct tourism income, i.e. the income generated by the tourism industry, was EUR 57.3 million. In the same year, the employment impact of tourism in the Rauma region was 287 person-years. These figures are taken from the study Tourism income and employment in Satakunta 2022.

The figures for the Rauma region are about a third of those for Satakunta as a whole. The Rauma sub-regional unit includes Rauma, Eurajoki, Eura and Säkylä. Rauma accounts for about 70% of the Rauma sub-regional unit.

At the regional level, the impact of tourism was studied on a broader scale, i.e. in addition to direct tourism income, the multiplier effect of the sector on the economy and employment was calculated. In 2022, the tourism income of Satakunta as a whole was estimated at over €352 million and the employment impact at 1,272 person-years.

The results of the study suggest that tourism in the Rauma region is recovering from the crisis, but has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. The situation in the Rauma region does not differ from the national trend, as a study commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment estimates that tourism in Finland will return to pre-crisis levels in 2025.

– Tourism is of great importance to localities, and Rauma is also aiming to reach the levels of the pre-corona years. The sector employs young people and students in particular, which is important. Tourism also plays a role in balancing the regional structure,” says Irene Villanen, Tourism Manager.

Despite the growth in tourism income, direct employment in the tourism sector in the Rauma region has fallen considerably. Before the 2019 cap, direct employment in tourism was 396 person-years, and in 2022, the study estimates that it will be only 287 person-years.

– During the koruna, skilled workers left the sector. The availability of a skilled workforce is critical for the renewal and growth of the tourism sector. The poor availability of labour is hampering the growth of the tourism sector, and in this respect the situation in the Rauma region also corresponds to the national phenomenon,” continues Villanen.

Statistics Finland’s statistics on overnight stays show the same trend as the tourism income survey. The number of registered overnight stays in Rauma region accommodation establishments in 2019 was around 103 000 and 109 200 in 2022. In the early 2010s, the corresponding figures peaked at over 130 000 overnight stays.

The ALMAnum model of tourism income and employment developed in 2011 has been used for the study Tourism income and employment in Satakunta 2022. The study was carried out by researcher Saku Vähäsantanen.