Benefits of Tourism to Regional Airports and Businesses: Case Tampere City and Tampere-Pirkkala Airport

Researching a destination is crucial for tourism-based companies operating in competitive environments. Whether the travel industry companies operate directly or indirectly in the tourism sector, it is beneficial to recognize how tourism affects one’s business. Therefore, the main objectives were to analyse the main tourism products of Tampere city as well as to measure the characteristics of visitors and their primary purpose of travel. In addition, the thesis examined the operations of Tampere-Pirkkala airport. This thesis was commissioned by the Stopover company, which is a leading service provider, focusing on tours and activities across Finland. The thesis consists of the combination of theoretical background as well as mixed-method research. The main data was collected with qualitative methods, in addition to various literature sources such as books, articles, reports and e-resources. Additional methods supporting the re-search are SWOT analysis, benchmarking and catchment area methods. The thesis design consists of a summary of the aviation industry in Finland as well as analysis of Tampere as a tourism destination. Tourism creates a large impact on Tampere’s economic state as well as the employment rate. Moreover, tourism supports local communities and encourages civic involvement and pride. Tampere city offers a wide diversity of both natural and built tourist attractions; therefore, it attracts thousands of visitors each year from which domestic visitors overtake the international ones. As the city is known to be one of the best places for business events, trade fairs and congresses, the largest share of international inbound travellers come on business purposes rather than leisure. Additionally, Tampere-Pirkkala airport plays an important role in the development and support of tourism to the city. Its role as an airport is to serve both outbound/inbound travelling as well as the Finnish Defence Forces. The main international incoming air traffic to Tampere comes mainly on business purposes. The final data collected benefits the commissioning party by providing them with significant information on the current tourism products of Tampere city and the characteristics of the main visitors. The knowledge aims to assist the client to expand their tourism products into the destination and become accurate with the main travel purposes to the city