Heritage Tourism as a Driver of Authentic Experience

Milla Öystilä, Tourism Specialist, Suomenlinna Sea Fortress (Governing Body of Suomenlinna)

Speaker:

Milla Öystilä is a sustainable tourism specialist with 20 years of experience in guiding one of Finland’s most visited UNESCO sites toward more responsible visitor management. Known among colleagues as a bit of a “sustainability mama,” she works closely with partners across Suomenlinna and the wider Helsinki region to build a collaborative, future‑focused model for tourism development. She also serves as co-chair of the Urban Climate Leaders in Tourism Network.

Workshop description

Interpretation as a Bridge Between Visitor Experience and Responsible Visits: Expert talk & interactive workshop

This 60-minute session explores how heritage interpretation can be used to enhance visitor experience while encouraging more responsible visits in heritage destinations. The session begins with a short expert talk based on the example of Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a living community. The presentation introduces interpretation as a holistic approach that goes beyond storytelling or information delivery, helping visitors understand the deeper meanings of a place, its everyday life and its values.

Presentation demonstrates how well-designed interpretation can influence how visitors move, behave and make choices during their visit—by explaining not only what a place is, but why it matters and how visitors are part of its ongoing story. Interpretation is presented as a bridge between visitor experience, heritage protection and local community wellbeing.

The session continues with an interactive workshop in which participants identify a key visitor behaviour challenge in their own destination. Together, participants co-create interpretative messages that explain why responsible behaviour matters. Participants leave with shared insights, peer learning and a simple, transferable framework applicable to different heritage and tourism contexts.