BRILLIANT – Turning Celestial Phenomena into Sustainable Tourism Experiences
Tourism in Sodankylä is highly seasonal and concentrated in the Luosto area and the northern parts of the municipality. However, tourism in the central area of Sodankylä is growing thanks to new investments, creating a need to develop sustainable tourism services that can be enjoyed year-round. The BRILLIANT project addresses this need by harnessing Sodankylä’s unique natural phenomena — such as the Midnight Sun, the Northern Lights and the starry sky — to develop and package tourism services for all seasons.
The project aims to strengthen Sodankylä’s position as a sustainable, year-round tourism destination by supporting existing tourism businesses and creating new business opportunities for both local entrepreneurs and new market entrants. Through trainings and market research, tourism operators and other local businesses will gain tools for developing marketable tourism products and creating new experiences for different seasons. In particular, the development of tourism services based on the Midnight Sun and the phenomenon of the nightless night offers new opportunities to increase visitor numbers during the summer season. The project will also assess the feasibility of establishing a certification for responsible tourism services based on observing celestial phenomena, as well as Sodankylä’s potential to meet the requirements of the Dark Sky Park concept.
The project promotes sustainable development by assessing light pollution in the area and developing lighting management plans to protect dark skies and the natural values of different parts of Sodankylä. Mapping suitable locations for observing celestial phenomena will help promote sustainable tourism by directing visitor flows to locations that are suitable for tourism, safe and accepted by local communities. A guide to lighting management practices will also be produced during the project to help residents and businesses take lighting management into account, particularly in construction projects.
The project involves close cooperation with local businesses, residents and research institutions. Its aim is to raise awareness of natural phenomena and develop sustainable tourism practices that will benefit both visitors and the local community in the long term.
Project information
Project period: 1 August 2025–31 December 2027
Applicant and project coordinator: Municipality of Sodankylä
Funding: Regional Council of Lapland, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Total project budget: €250,961
Funding rate: 80 % (€200,768)
Further information
Liisa Mäkelä
Project Manager
Tel. +358 40 146 1922