Literary tourism in Finland

Abstract

This thesis arose from the author’s own interest in the literature, and tourism surrounding it. The objective of this study was to examine the phenomenon of literary tourism in Finland. The phenomenon was studied through different theories related to the subject and by theme interviews.

In the theoretical part theories on special interest tourism, cultural tourism, heritage tourism and screen tourism are introduced, as all of them have an important role in explaining literary tourism. Data for this study were collected by theme interviews with professionals working in the literary places in Finland. The empirical part introduces literary places in Finland, of which six were included also in the data collection.

The results of this study explain what kind of literary tourism exists in Finland, who the literary tourists are and what kind of literary places can be found in Finland. The results can be used in further research, for developing literary tourism or the literary destinations in Finland.