kuva: Mika Honkalinna VERSSO ISLAND RESORT INVESTOR S GUIDE Pure, refreshing and sustainable luxury
SIMPLICITY by CHOICE IN a HIGH-CLASS MILIEU by THE SEA Versso is a high-quality, ecological wellness island only an hour s drive from Finland s busiest border crossing Vaalimaa, and 1.5 hour s drive from Helsinki- Vantaa international airport. The eco-resort is located off the main motorway artery leading from Helsinki to Saint Petersburg. In 2013, approximately 2.9 million Russians came to Finland through Vaalimaa border crossing. The number of tourists is prognosed to reach an estimated 7 million by 2020. An ecodesign hotel, spa and holiday bungalows will be built in a way that respects the surrounding nature in the sea landscape on Finland s south-eastern coast. The holiday oasis will be complete with high-quality wellness services and memorable nature experiences. We are seeking experienced operators/investors to carry out the proposed development on Versso Resort Island. The site is owned by the municipality of Pyhtää, which would like to sell the required plots of land to potential investors.
Versso Resort Island is in the cutting edge of international travel trends. It offers relaxation and peace to people living in large cities in Russia and Asia, as well as a refreshing environment to corporate guests. Best things in life aren t things kuva: Juha Metso The Versso area is a versatile high-quality holiday oasis designed and built with respect for the surrounding nature. It offers genuine experiences and a peaceful island to tourists interested in nature, exercise and wellness. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES: VERSSO HOTEL, VILLAS AND SPA The 100-room ecodesign resort hotel in a beautiful seaside location Approximately 285 m2 of flexible meeting facilities on the ground floor of the hotel A 120-cover restaurant and a 20-seat bar, both with a view to the sea 20 ecologically sustainable villas of approximately 45 60 m2 A 1000 m2 high-quality SPA with a treatment area KEIHÄSSALMI MARINA, GATEWAY TO ARCHIPELAGO New marina for hundreds of visiting boats Along an existing sea route High-quality services to boaters and summer residents
EXCELLENT LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY 1.5 hour s drive from Helsinki and 1 h from Vaalimaa, the nearest border crossing for visitors from Saint Petersburg and its vicinity. DIRECT FLIGHT from Beijing to Helsinki 8 h from Shanghai to Helsinki 10 h Vaalimaa on Finland s border with Russia is one of the most transited locations in Europe. Versso Holiday Island is located near Finland s most important border crossing between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg, within 1.5 hour s drive from an international airport and along the E18 motorway. 5KM BY SEA the nearby ports of Kotka and Hamina serve vessels from more than 80 locations worldwide. New Keihässalmi Marina offers direct seaway access to Versso by boat. BY AIR 120 km (1.5 h) from Helsinki-Vantaa international airport, Finland BY ROAD E18 the main motorway between Finland and Russia passes through Pyhtää, the home town of Versso. BY TRAIN 2.5 hours from Saint Petersburg via Vainikkala
RENEWING EXPERIENCES BY THE SEASIDE Leisure marina with good infrastructure will provide alternative access for those arriving by boat from the Helsinki metropolitan area, Baltic countries or Russia. Some areas are protected to maintain the rare flora and fauna found on the island. The authorities are keen to protect the fragile environment through intelligent planning solutions. Versso offers holiday activities like boating, trekking, fishing, walking in nature, commercial fitness and holiday adventure services as well as health and wellness services and treatments. Shores of Versso have accumulated sand from the Gulf of Finland creating an attractive milieu to enjoy peace and tranquility, flora and fauna and water sports.
kuva: Petri Hiironen It has been estimated that the number of visitors will be increasing from the current 600 000 annual visitors up to 4m by 2025. The Sirius Sport Resort provides world class indoor surfing and wind tunnel free flying experiences near Versso along the E18 motorway. kuva: Juha Metso SOUTHEAST FINLAND THE COAST OF GOOD WINDS Maritime Centre Vellamo an award winning architecture. Kotka Maritime Festival attracts annually 200 000 visitors to Kotka. Bi-annually organised Hamina-Tattoo International Military Music Festival approximately 70 000 visitors. The Kotka-Hamina region offers plenty of activities for a visitor who could use Versso as a base to explore the region or just enjoy the peace of the unique location. The area is a popular summer destination. Much improved road connection by E18 between Finland and Russia and increasingly easier border crossing formalities are attracting ever more Russians to visit the region. HaminaKotka largest harbour in Finland. Gulf of Finland National Park The Eastern Gulf of Finland has an innumerable number of islands worth visiting.
part of region One of Finland s most rapidly growing destinations for Russian tourists Growth of Russian overnight stays 30% in 2012 Tax free sales in 2012 about 15M with a 25% growth rate 50% increase in euros from tourism between 2011 and 2020 Native Russian-speaking work force available Finland is one of the European Union s more advanced economies; its AAA rating was reconfirmed by Fitch in May 2013. According to forecasts by the World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC), the total demand for travel in Finland will grow by 33.7 percent between 2006 and 2016. ARE you IN? www.investments.cursor.fi/versso BIRTHE SUNI Tourism director +358 40 190 2549 birthe.suni@cursor.fi MIA HÄMÄLÄINEN FDI Tourism Industry +358 40 190 2541 mia.hamalainen@cursor.fi OLLI NUUTTILA Mayor at Pyhtää municipality Tel. +358 43 820 1000 olli.nuuttila@pyhtaa.fi Municipality of Pyhtää