Europe awakes from COVID-19 restrictions, embraces new-found freedom

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

While the pandemic has dealt a severe blow to the bloc's economy and trade, many businesses are seeking opportunities to survive the crisis with creativity, self-reliance and adjustments to local conditions, with new business forms emerging.

To skirt around travel restrictions, Finnish tourism destinations are turning to virtual tourism, Finnish national broadcaster Yle reported.

The first virtual tourists from Japan are set to visit the Savonlinna region in eastern Finland, the heart of the nation's lake district, on Saturday. Paying 23 dollars per person, they will participate in the tour from home via video links.

Considering margins for local organizers are small, virtual tours can be profitable for operators, Finnish tourism insiders said.