The co-creation and peer learning journey aimed at developing future-resilient business competencies for tourism SMEs reached an experiential conclusion at Haaga-Helia’s Haaga campus.
During the spring, participants gathered monthly across the Uusimaa region to engage in co-creation and peer learning around themes of future-resilient business. Guided by the project’s expert network, SMEs participating in the workshops explored the transformation of the tourism sector, related uncertainties, and alternative development paths from the perspectives of the green transition and digital transformation.
The April meeting marked the final session of the Destination Unknown workshop series. The closing workshop was held at the Haaga campus of Haaga-Helia. The programme included hands-on tasks related to future-resilient business and reflection on future-oriented themes, as well as extensive group discussions and peer learning. In addition, participants experimented with using AI assistants to build future roadmaps for their own businesses.
The workshop day also featured an experiential campus tour of the historic Haaga campus, where past and future meet in a unique way. A behind-the-scenes tour of the waste management area and examples of the “hotel of the future” once again prompted participants to reflect on what a digital and carbon-neutral future could mean for the tourism and hospitality sector.
The SME participants demonstrated notable courage in challenging existing assumptions, exploring new forms of value creation, and examining alternative futures for their businesses together with others. This was also reflected in the participant feedback:
“Great energy among all participants. I appreciate that the workshops were thoughtfully designed and carried out with genuine interest and variety.”
“I plan to continue collaboration with a few entrepreneurs, as the training has stimulated my thinking.”
“I have gained many new tools and clarity for my work from these sessions.”
“There is strength in the network.”
The closing workshop culminated in an immersive musical performance in the virtual experience space The Box at the Haaga campus, where Ylva Haru’s beautifully moving singing and music created a memorable and atmospheric conclusion to the joint journey.
As a result of the workshop series, a handbook will be produced for wider distribution. It will include materials and exercises that support peer learning and future-resilient business competencies. The themes of the handbook include, among others, radical innovation, regenerative business, sustainable development, circular economy, and new digital solutions as part of tourism business development.
The English translation of this article was prepared with the assistance of AI tool (Copilot).