Caption: Lauhanvuori-Hämeenkangas Geopark is well suited for mountain biking, among other things.

Lauhanvuori-Hämeenkangas UNESCO Global Geopark is one of four geological nature tourism destinations in Finland. The status has been granted to a total of 177 geological tourism areas located around the world. Spread across three different provinces and nine localities, the Geopark is one of the most important tools for tourism development also in Kankaanpää.

– Thanks to the Geopark, we have succeeded in highlighting local natural and cultural sites and have also learned how to commercialize them. The Geopark project has enabled collaboration and new forms of cooperation with neighboring municipalities, Marko Rajamäki praises.

Although Hämeenkangas has long been a locally significant sports and leisure destination, its development and marketing to residents outside the area has been lacking. For example, the Geopark project has greatly developed the area's mountain biking opportunities, and several marked cycling routes of various lengths have been created in the Geopark and its surrounding areas.

– Geoparks are an excellent tool for regional branding. With them, we have also managed to arouse interest among international tourists. Other Finnish Geopark destinations include Saimaa and Salpausselkä, so we have entered tough competition from a tourism perspective, says Rajamäki.

Text: Tytti Wallenius

Photo: Juha Rantanen

The article has been published in collaboration with the Kankaanpää Region.