Estonia, Investments, Tourism

“The purpose of the grants is to increase the number of overnight stays by foreign tourists visiting Estonia, and the consumption of tourism services,” said Tarmo Mutso, Director of the Estonian Tourist Board. “Our wish is that a foreign tourist would become more aware of the tourism products that are based on the peculiarities of Estonia, and discover other places in addition to Tallinn, as well. Good marketing also helps to mitigate one of the sharpest problems of the sector – the seasonality of tourism,” Mutso added.

Entrepreneurs can start applying for funds for organising marketing events, campaigns and sale promotion activities, participation in foreign trade shows aimed at target markets, elaboration of the visual identity of tourism products, preparation and distribution of information materials, organisation of press events, and web development and e-marketing. The sum of a grant allocated for one project is MEEK 0.3-1.5 and may cover up to 50% of eligible costs.

State and local government institutions, non-profit associations, foundations and legal persons in public law can apply for grants for organising marketing events and campaigns, participation in foreign trade shows, preparation and distribution of materials introducing the destination and tourism products as a whole, organisation of press events and also web development and e-marketing. The sum of a grant allocated for one project is MEEK 0.5-1.5 and may cover up to 70% of eligible costs.

The supporting of the destination marketing of entrepreneurs and regions is only a part of the means directed to destination marketing. Also, until the year 2013, investments totalling MEEK 433 are planned, with the support of the European Regional Fund, for increasing awareness of Estonia as a travel destination.

Until the year 2013, Estonia will be investing BEEK 1.6 into tourism product development through the mediation of Enterprise Estonia and co-funding by the European Regional Fund, of which MEEK 423 is directed to tourism products developed by the private sector and BEEK 1.2 to the tourism products developed by the public and non-profit sectors, and to tourism infrastructure.