Wild Taiga is a registered trademark used by the members of the Idän Taiga Travel Association. Idän Taiga Travel Association was founded in 2004 with the task of developing tourism products and marketing them collectively on the domestic and international markets under the Wild Taiga trademark. The Association endorses the collective initiatives of its members and seeks to improve the overall benefits of the profession. The number of member companies in the Association is growing. As of 2011 there are now 62 small or family businesses involved, representing the tourism branches of accommodation, restaurant, programme and event services. Companies are located in the eastern Kainuu region of Finland along the Russian border in Kuhmo town and Suomussalmi municipality. The main themes of the Wild Taiga product lines are founded on the inherent strengths of the area, namely its matchless nature and culture. In 2008 Wild Taiga was selected as Finland's emerging tourist destination in the European Commission's annual European Destinations of Excellence Competition. The same year Finnish Guild of Travel Journalists also awarded Wild Taiga a "media favourite" award and destination was listed among the TOP10 companies in the Scandinavian Travel Award's Erfolg -serie during ITB Berlin. The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities awarded Wild Taiga as a Finnish Champion in regional travel marketing in 2011. COTRI, China Outbound Tourism Research Institute, world's leading independent research institute for the Chinese outbound tourism market awarded Wild Taiga with a CTW Chinese Tourist Welcome Award 2015. Wild Taiga was ranked with a silver position in the Marketing –category at the COTTM travel fair in Beijing.Please visit www.facebook.com/wildtaiga !