Last week’s meeting and seminar took place in Rovaniemi, Finland. It brought together specialists from all the four Barents countries, Russia, Norway, Sweden and Finland. There is a major cooperation potential within common marketing, a press release from the International Barents Secretariat reads. However, challenges such as flight connection, visa formalities and language were seen as challenges for the development of cross-border initiatives. Also financing possibilities on tourism cooperation was also explored in the seminar. The meeting was the second in the newly established Joint Working Group on Tourism. From now on the working group meetings will be held at least twice a year. The next meetings are due in October 2009 (Murmansk) and April 2010 (Syktyvkar), Beas.st reports.
