{"id":72236,"date":"2025-03-31T14:16:20","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T12:16:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/?post_type=portfolio&#038;p=72236"},"modified":"2025-03-31T14:36:39","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T12:36:39","slug":"icy-quark-captivates-central-european-tourists","status":"publish","type":"portfolio","link":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/portfolio-item\/icy-quark-captivates-central-european-tourists\/","title":{"rendered":"The icy Quark captivates Central European tourists"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='full_slider_1'  class='avia-fullwidth-slider main_color avia-shadow   avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-first   container_wrap fullsize'  ><div  class='avia-slideshow av-m8x1043n-33c59b31aba91b1418951b6ecaeefa5d avia-slideshow-featured av_slideshow_full avia-slide-slider av-slideshow-ui av-control-hidden av-no-slider-navigation av-hide-nav-arrows av-slideshow-manual av-loop-once av-loop-manual-endless av-default-height-applied   avia-slideshow-1' data-slideshow-options=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:false,&quot;loop_autoplay&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;interval&quot;:5,&quot;loop_manual&quot;:&quot;manual-endless&quot;,&quot;autoplay_stopper&quot;:false,&quot;noNavigation&quot;:true,&quot;bg_slider&quot;:false,&quot;keep_padding&quot;:false,&quot;hoverpause&quot;:false,&quot;show_slide_delay&quot;:0}\"  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><ul class='avia-slideshow-inner ' style='padding-bottom: 28.666666666667%;'><li  class='avia-slideshow-slide av-m8x1043n-33c59b31aba91b1418951b6ecaeefa5d__0  av-single-slide slide-1 slide-odd'><div data-rel='slideshow-1' class='avia-slide-wrap '   ><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"wp-image-72223 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-72223\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/aurorabotnia-ice-panorama-1500x430.jpg\" width=\"1500\" height=\"430\" title='aurorabotnia-ice-panorama' alt='Aurora Botnia in icy conditions'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/aurorabotnia-ice-panorama-1500x430.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/aurorabotnia-ice-panorama-350x100.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><div id='after_full_slider_1'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-72236'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<div  class='flex_column av-av_one_full-c3b372ad6f1642cd7c92869ade45eb87 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_slideshow_full  el_before_av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div  '     ><style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8x0qgrr-8adecadb4d14759320147dc48c1989e6\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m8x0qgrr-8adecadb4d14759320147dc48c1989e6{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m8x0qgrr-8adecadb4d14759320147dc48c1989e6 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m8x0qgrr-8adecadb4d14759320147dc48c1989e6 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m8x0qgrr-8adecadb4d14759320147dc48c1989e6 av-special-heading-h1 blockquote modern-quote modern-centered  avia-builder-el-2  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >The icy Quark captivates Central European tourists<\/h1><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div  class='flex_column av-av_one_fifth-c3b372ad6f1642cd7c92869ade45eb87 av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_one_full  el_before_av_three_fifth  first flex_column_div  column-top-margin'     ><\/div>\n<div  class='flex_column av-av_three_fifth-0c6fa0e5b2400154730516ee352a8a23 av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  flex_column_div  column-top-margin'     ><p><section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8x0rx70-c5341da9750ccd54691509f050533804 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Wasaline cruises are gaining popularity among Central European tourists, particularly Germans. What was once simply a means of crossing the Kvarken Strait has now become a sought-after travel experience in its own right. The highlight? Cruising through the breathtaking ice-covered waters.<\/p>\n<p>Finland has long been a favorite destination for German travelers, though visits have traditionally been limited to the summer months. Recently, however, this trend has begun to shift. Tourists are increasingly exploring Finland during the cooler seasons, and beyond the usual hotspots of Helsinki and Lapland, lesser-known destinations are gaining attention.<\/p>\n<p>One driving factor appears to be the coolcation trend\u2014travelers seeking cooler climates as an escape from the intense southern heat. Visitors are realizing they don\u2019t need to venture as far as Northern Finland or the Arctic Ocean to enjoy authentic winter conditions.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; This shift is also reflected in the rising number of international winter tourists aboard Wasaline, says <strong>Niina Jansson<\/strong>, Head of Sales and Business Development at Wasaline.<\/p>\n<p>Last winter, German tour operator <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ferryknowhow.info\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FerryKnowHow<\/a> sold out its tours to Finland, which feature a cruise between Vaasa and Ume\u00e5 as the highlight. Demand is expected to double for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8x10u3m-448424a889986af2c6aa4b362bf40412\">\n.avia-image-container.av-m8x10u3m-448424a889986af2c6aa4b362bf40412 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-m8x10u3m-448424a889986af2c6aa4b362bf40412 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-m8x10u3m-448424a889986af2c6aa4b362bf40412 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-69010 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-69010 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/aurorabotnia-winter2023-2-christoffer-bjorklund-845x684.jpg\" alt='Wasaline&#039;s Aurora Botnia in winter traffic' title='aurorabotnia-winter2023-2-christoffer-bjorklund'  height=\"684\" width=\"845\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/aurorabotnia-winter2023-2-christoffer-bjorklund-845x684.jpg 845w, https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/aurorabotnia-winter2023-2-christoffer-bjorklund-495x400.jpg 495w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 845px) 100vw, 845px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8x11kxh-cb2165f54162bea3711eff755d7f4e6f\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8x11kxh-cb2165f54162bea3711eff755d7f4e6f .avia_textblock{\ntext-align:center;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8x11kxh-cb2165f54162bea3711eff755d7f4e6f '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><strong>The Quark strait freezes every winter, without exceptions.<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8x0ta9q-e11f4e47d4d63b8c67f97a042cc4c1c0\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m8x0ta9q-e11f4e47d4d63b8c67f97a042cc4c1c0{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m8x0ta9q-e11f4e47d4d63b8c67f97a042cc4c1c0 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m8x0ta9q-e11f4e47d4d63b8c67f97a042cc4c1c0 .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m8x0ta9q-e11f4e47d4d63b8c67f97a042cc4c1c0 av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Winter becomes the main attraction<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8x0ss1n-0a835d4615054fafe28cac640a12e02d '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>&#8211; Winters used to be a time for themed cruises, but now winter itself has become the theme, Jansson says with a smile.<\/p>\n<p>International tourists are especially fascinated by the ice &#8211; watching it form around the ship and break beneath it. The thicker the ice, the better the experience.<\/p>\n<p>Tour operators offering trips to Vaasa have tapped into a niche market and chosen the perfect destination. The Vaasa-Ume\u00e5 route is the northernmost year-round operated shipping route in the world. Its vessel, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/our-ferry\/\">Aurora Botnia<\/a>, boasts a 1A Super ice classification, allowing it to navigate even thick ice without an icebreaker.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; It&#8217;s always eye-opening to see how something so ordinary to us, like ice, can feel so exotic to visitors, Jansson adds.<\/p>\n<p>During the cruise, group travelers also receive insights from their tour leaders about the unique nature of the Kvarken region and its extraordinary post-glacial land uplift.<\/p>\n<p>The Kvarken Archipelago\u2019s UNESCO World Heritage status, the Vaasa region\u2019s commitment to sustainable tourism, and Wasaline\u2019s strong environmental efforts have also been recognized as major draws. Finland\u2019s global reputation as the happiest country likely adds to the appeal.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; I believe many guests want to experience for themselves the secret behind our well-being, says Jansson.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8x1zjcs-0a84366567cf5ff309590e9a68e2b832\">\n.avia-image-container.av-m8x1zjcs-0a84366567cf5ff309590e9a68e2b832 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-m8x1zjcs-0a84366567cf5ff309590e9a68e2b832 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-m8x1zjcs-0a84366567cf5ff309590e9a68e2b832 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-1683 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-1683 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Archipelago-Buffet-Aurora-Botnia-845x684.jpg\" alt='Archipelago Buffet Aurora Botnia' title='Archipelago Buffet Aurora Botnia'  height=\"684\" width=\"845\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Archipelago-Buffet-Aurora-Botnia-845x684.jpg 845w, https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Archipelago-Buffet-Aurora-Botnia-495x400.jpg 495w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 845px) 100vw, 845px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8x1z81v-f3248822f40f28dfd5dd23a878287dee\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8x1z81v-f3248822f40f28dfd5dd23a878287dee .avia_textblock{\ntext-align:center;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8x1z81v-f3248822f40f28dfd5dd23a878287dee '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><strong>The local food of the Archipelago Buffet has attracted positive comments from German groups.<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8x1i4ab-9f322729ee2234de636ea3dc1dd13fae\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-m8x1i4ab-9f322729ee2234de636ea3dc1dd13fae{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-m8x1i4ab-9f322729ee2234de636ea3dc1dd13fae .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-m8x1i4ab-9f322729ee2234de636ea3dc1dd13fae .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-m8x1i4ab-9f322729ee2234de636ea3dc1dd13fae av-special-heading-h2 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Persistent effort paying off<\/h2><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8x0wajx-e9d0e17dfb73076c8b31843add551e8b '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>The growing winter tourism trend benefits not just Wasaline, but also the wider Vaasa region. Off-season visitors bring vital business to hotels, restaurants, and service providers. Groups such as those from FerryKnowHow typically stay two nights in Vaasa, contributing significantly to the local economy.<\/p>\n<p>While global interest in cooler destinations plays a part, Jansson emphasizes that this success is also the result of long-term sales and marketing efforts, carried out in cooperation with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitfinland.fi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit Finland<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaasa.fi\/en\/see-and-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Visit Vaasa<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/bothniancoastalroute.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bothnian Coastal Route<\/a> project.<\/p>\n<p>Years of persistent work are now bearing fruit. Despite fierce competition, the outlook is bright. Judging by the interest witnessed at the recent ITB travel fair in Berlin, the Quark region is firmly establishing itself as an appealing, year-round destination on the international stage.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8x1646s-48597bf2cee6209a1dd5558f4eae0b01\">\n.avia-image-container.av-m8x1646s-48597bf2cee6209a1dd5558f4eae0b01 img.avia_image{\nbox-shadow:none;\n}\n.avia-image-container.av-m8x1646s-48597bf2cee6209a1dd5558f4eae0b01 .av-image-caption-overlay-center{\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-image-container av-m8x1646s-48597bf2cee6209a1dd5558f4eae0b01 av-styling- avia-align-center  avia-builder-el-14  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '   itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class=\"avia-image-container-inner\"><div class=\"avia-image-overlay-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class='wp-image-72232 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-72232 avia_image ' src=\"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/niina-jansson-itb-berlin-845x684.jpg\" alt='Niina Jansson at ITB Travel Fair' title='niina-jansson-itb-berlin'  height=\"684\" width=\"845\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/niina-jansson-itb-berlin-845x684.jpg 845w, https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/niina-jansson-itb-berlin-495x400.jpg 495w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 845px) 100vw, 845px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m8x17ess-a6e0888e2317aead44f1403a46936bbc\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-m8x17ess-a6e0888e2317aead44f1403a46936bbc .avia_textblock{\ntext-align:center;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-m8x17ess-a6e0888e2317aead44f1403a46936bbc '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><strong>Wasaline and Visit Vaasa participated the ITB Travel Fair in March 2025.<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><div  class='flex_column av-av_one_fifth-0c6fa0e5b2400154730516ee352a8a23 av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-16  el_after_av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-last  flex_column_div  column-top-margin'     ><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":72232,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[165],"portfolio_entries":[],"class_list":["post-72236","portfolio","type-portfolio","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-articles"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-16 21:58:35","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"portfolio_entries","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio\/72236","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/portfolio"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72236"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio\/72236\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72256,"href":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio\/72236\/revisions\/72256"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72236"},{"taxonomy":"portfolio_entries","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wasaline.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/portfolio_entries?post=72236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}