Pirkko Nyman: Carried Away By Tourism
Pirkko Nyman joined the City Tourist & Convention Bureau 16 years ago from Helsinki Information, where she oversaw the operations of Jugendsali Hall, the classic art nouveau exhibition and information centre next door to Tourist Information. Already then she was enamoured with Helsinki, and tourism offered a new dimension. Her job changed from informing local residents about Helsinki to promoting the city to domestic and international visitors.
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Pirrko Nyman, the third Tourist Director of the Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau retired at the beginning of October. “Leaving a job that has meant so much to me is not easy. Nevertheless, it is consoling to note how bright the future of tourism looks here in Helsinki. We have splendid development projects and many major events and congresses to look forward to. Perhaps Helsinki will even have the honour of becoming World Design Capital in 2012!”
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The best moment of my professional career:
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Looking back on over 30 years, it’s hard to say this or that moment was the best one of my career. I feel I have had so many very good moments!
I have been privileged to work with people and with tasks which have been challenging, inspiring, versatile and creative. I have learned a lot. (I have forgotten all the dull and routine work already!).
I have been privileged to work with people and with tasks which have been challenging, inspiring, versatile and creative. I have learned a lot. (I have forgotten all the dull and routine work already!).
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I will never forget the meeting in…
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We have had marvellous meetings – both as to the knowledge shared and as to the programmes organised by the cities. It is the Monte Carlo meeting which comes to mind, but the reason for that is special: late one evening Nevenka Fuchs from Zagreb and I went to the famous Monte Carlo Casino, with very few francs to spend. I put my last coin to a slot machine and it started to rain coins. We collected 1000 francs! Of course we celebrated with good champagne!
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One cannot survive working in tourism if…
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We all know that tourism easily steals our time and soul. For me it has been vital, to survive, to (try to) take time for meeting family and friends, to keep up old, dear hobbies (like gym and cinema) and to take up new ones (like golf and sailing).
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Finally, I will have the time to….
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I had planned to do lots of things when I retired, but,after four months of my "new life", it seems a lot more tempting to me to have no exact plans, no daily schedules. Just let things happen and be open to life…
And of course, my 3 grandchildren (one one-year-old and two four-year-olds) are a great joy and source of inspiration!
And of course, my 3 grandchildren (one one-year-old and two four-year-olds) are a great joy and source of inspiration!
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ECM has brought me…
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Good friends and wonderful memories from many, many cities. ECM has helped me in my work in various ways… and I assure you, often I had many more than just ONE idea to bring home from the meetings. Put simply, ECM opened my mind to new possibilities.
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Today, I am very happy to have this opportunity to THANK HEARTILY YOU, DEAR FRIENDS, for our many years together. It has been great to meet you. Good luck in life and work!
Love,
Pirkko
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