Tourism Incubator — Ida-Virumaa
Join a thriving tourism community and build your own business — pilot programme runs August–December 2026, free of charge for Ida-Virumaa residents.
An adult tourism-entrepreneurship training programme for Ida-Virumaa, helping locals launch sustainable tourism services with mentors who built their own businesses from scratch.
Programme overview
A new training programme launching in summer 2026, delivered jointly by Visionest Institute and Vaivara Sinimäed Foundation. Open to anyone in Ida-Virumaa who wants to contribute to environmentally friendly tourism businesses and services in the region.
You don't need to be an entrepreneur. You don't need to know everything. You don't even need a specific idea — interest and willingness to try is enough. This is not a dry lecture series; it's about doing things together, in small teams, supported by local successful tourism entrepreneurs who started from scratch.
Note: open to people who have NOT participated in continuing-education courses in the past 12 months. We especially welcome people currently out of work, those whose potential exceeds their current role, and 25–29 year-olds searching for their path.
Who it's for
- Resident of Ida-Virumaa
- Not enrolled in any other continuing-education course in the last 12 months
- Interest in tourism — no prior business experience required
- Willingness to work in small teams over the 5-month pilot
Curriculum
1 — From idea to viable concept
Refining your tourism idea into something workable, with sound business logic and strategic choices.
2 — Designing & developing services
Building tourism services, pricing, and finding your place in the market.
3 — Marketing & finding customers
Practical marketing across digital channels, messaging and customer acquisition.
4 — Resource, cost & sales planning
Planning resources, costs and sales — and presenting your idea convincingly to funders.
5–7 — Build, test, pitch
Three further modules focused on building MVPs, testing with real customers and pitching to investors and partners.
Trainers
Frequently asked
Do I need a business idea already?+
No. You can come with a concrete idea, a rough thought, or nothing at all — just interest in tourism.
Is it really free?+
Yes. Participation is fully funded through the Just Transition Fund.
Is everything online?+
The programme runs online for flexibility, but starts with in-person ideation days across Ida-Virumaa.