Green technologies in tourism
The project KA 5041 “Green technologies in the field of tourism to reduce the negative impact on the environment” has been completed.
On September 21, 2021, a final seminar on the project of the Karelia Cross-Border Cooperation Program KA5041 “Green Technologies in Tourism to Reduce the Negative Impact on the Environment” was held at the Peter Inn Hotel, which was attended by both representatives of the tourism business and students PetrSU.
During the seminar, Russian and Finnish partners presented the mechanisms and technologies for energy and resource conservation in the field of tourism tested within the framework of the project.
VisitKarelia CEO Auli Kauppinen in her speech stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation and sustainable development in the tourism sector.
The head of the ANO “Energy Efficiency Center” Alexander Berdino spoke about green technologies used in the field of recreational tourism.
Professor of St. Petersburg State University of Economics Vadim Chekalin revealed the secrets of energy and resource conservation in tourism, based on economic calculations and practical results. He also summarized the results of the innovations in the framework of the presented project.
Project manager Sergei Koshelev said that in the Urozero educational and health center of PetrSU, before the work was completed, electricity costs exceeded 2 million rubles per year, and in the first year, thanks to innovative solutions within the project, savings amounted to 800,000 rubles. In the hotel complex “Segezha” energy costs amounted to 2,500,000 rubles. Thanks to the project, savings will amount to about 35% while increasing the level of comfort for guests. The head of the Segezha Hotel Elena Preminina is ready for further cooperation. Both pilot sites are fairly typical representatives of recreational tourism in Karelia with similar problems, and the green technologies introduced at these sites can serve as an example of effective and affordable technical solutions.
Entrepreneurs from the Finnish tourism sector who took part in the project also expressed satisfaction with the quality and results of the work carried out at pilot sites in northern Finland, where solar panels, a mini hydroelectric power station were installed, and a dry dry closet was equipped.
Demonstration videos about the work carried out at pilot facilities both from the Russian and Finnish sides, clearly demonstrated to the participants of the seminar all the advantages of the applied technical solutions: from an integrated approach in the educational center “Urozero” of PetrSU and the hotel complex “Segezha” to point solutions in Erya-Eero and Colin Keidas.
The workshop moderator Timo Hokkanen and the project coordinator from the Finnish side Vilma Lehtovaara emphasized the importance of green technologies for reducing the negative impact on the environment.
From feedback from participants:
The project is very important for the environment, “green technologies” is a step forward for the development of resource-saving technologies. With their long-term use, “green technologies” pay off and bring material benefits, but most importantly, benefit the environment. The project has shown the importance of “green technologies” that contribute to the environment. By using resources economically, these technologies help to save
the participants shared their opinion.