Tourism in Finland – 35+ Statistics, Numbers and Trends

Statistics on tourism in Finland, including statistics on the capital region and Lapland, general trends, economic impact and much more!

Even though tourism is not one of Finland’s main industries, the importance of tourism and travel for the national economy has increased in recent years,  the total demand for tourism in Finland in 2023 grew to EUR 13.5 billion from the previous year.

Foreign demand was expected to increase to EUR 3.3 billion, while domestic demand was predicted to decrease slightly from the peak year of 2021. The travel and tourism industry contributed about four per cent to Finland’s GDP and attracted an increasing number of international visitors before the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pandemic and the related restrictions had a severe impact on tourism in 2020 and 2021, but the industry started to recover in 2021, driven by domestic travel In turn, Finns use tourism services in Finland to the tune of an estimated €3.3 billion. Naturally, tourism has a very positive impact on the Finnish economy. there were 133,400 employed people in the tourism sector in Finland in 2021, which was 2 per cent more than in the previous year and 13 per cent less than in 2019. Tourism accounted for 4.9 per cent of all employed persons in Finland in 2021.

• Total tourism demand in Finland was over €13.5 billion in 2023.
• The impact of international tourists on Finland’s economy was 5.3 billion euros in 2019.
• Finns spent 3.3 billion euros on travel services in 2023.
• Tourism employed an estimated 133,400 people in Finland in the same year.

Finnish tourism statistics: tourism to Finland from abroad

From which countries do people travel to Finland?

Foreign tourists accounted for 27.3 per cent of the total nights spent in Finnish accommodation establishments in 2023. The total number of nights spent by foreign tourists was 12.3 million, which was an increase of 8 per cent from the previous year, according to Temfi statistics, The largest group of foreign visitors were people from Germany with 1.4 million overnight stays, followed by 1.1 million stays by visitors from Sweden with the American coming in third with almost 900,000 nights. British came in 4th with 800,000.

In addition to these countries, according to Business Finland statistics, there were also significant numbers of visitors from China, as well as from countries such as France, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Estonia, and Austria. According to Stat. fi, The total number of nights spent by foreign tourists in the Nordic countries in 2023 was estimated to be 51.6 million, a slight increase from the previous year. Finland accounted for 7.7 per cent of the total nights foreign tourists spend in the Nordic region, with 4 million nights spent in 2023.

• The total number of nights spent in Finnish accommodation establishments in 2023 was 9 million, which was a slight increase from the previous year.
• Of these, 6 million were nights spent by resident tourists, and 6.3 million were nights spent by non-resident tourists
• Germans (1.4 million nights), Sweden(over 1.1 million nights), Americans (over 900,000 nights), and British (800,000 nights) were the main users of accommodation services for these nationalities.
• Travellers to Finland came from countries such as Sweden, China, France, Italy, Belgium, Estonia, and Austria.
• Of the 51.6 million total nights spent in the Nordic countries, 7.7% were spent in Finland.

What are the most popular tourist destinations and attractions in Finland?

While the statistics do not give an exact picture of what kind of experiences foreign tourists seek in Finland, The most overnight stays by foreign tourists in Finland in 2023 were in Uusimaa, the region centred around Helsinki. Uusimaa accounted for over half of the total nights spent by foreign visitors in

Finland in June 2023, following a year-on-year increase of 22 per cent. Germany, Sweden, and the US were the most common countries of origin of foreign visitors. 2023 was a record year in this respect, with 12.3 million overnight stays by foreign tourists, accounting for around a quarter of all overnight stays by foreign tourists in Finland. The statistics show that a significant proportion of foreign tourists came from Asia, although the majority of foreign tourists arriving in Lapland are from the UK and continental Europe.

In addition to Lapland, Järvi-Suomi also attracted foreign tourists. the number of overnight stays made in Järvi-Suomi in 2023 was 1.2 million, a decrease of 3.8 per cent from the previous year. According to statistical data, about one-third of foreign tourists to Järvi-Suomi come from Germany. Sweden and its archipelago also attracted foreign tourists. The number of overnight stays in the coastal and archipelago region in 2023 was 4.5 million, an increase of 6.7 per cent from the previous year, and in fact, overnight stays in the region were also up by a significant 6%. Scandinavians and especially Swedes, stood out among those travelling to the coastal areas. Around half of the visitors came from mainland Europe and the United Kingdom in both Lake Finland and coastal Finland.

• Most of the nights spent by foreign tourists in Finland were spent in Helsinki (22% of all nights spent by foreign tourists in Finland).
• The number of overnight stays by foreign tourists in Lapland in 2023 was 53 million, almost as high as in January 2020 before the pandemic. The majority of foreign visitors came from France, Germany and Great Britain.
• A significant portion of the tourists in Lapland came from continental Europe, the UK, and Asia.

The number of nights spent by foreign tourists in both Järvi-Suomi and coastal Finland in 2023 was 5.3 million, an increase of 4.6 per cent from the previous year..

Finnish tourism statistics: outbound tourism by Finns

How and where do Finns travel?

The ability to book trips online is at the heart of Finnish travel behaviour. Statista statistics show that in 2023, accommodation for leisure trips abroad was booked online in 83% of cases. The percentage of online air ticket bookings in Finland in 2023 was 76%, an increase of 4 percentage points from the previous year. Although independent travel is more accessible nowadays, Finnish travellers take many package holidays. For example, 19% of trips abroad with at least one overnight stay were package holidays in Finland in 2023. This was a slight decrease from the previous year, when the share of package holidays was 20%, which amounted to 1.2 million in 2023, although the number slightly decreased. the most popular package holiday destinations for Finns in 2023 were Greece, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, and Thailand, with 79% of trips to Greece, for example, being package holidays. According to the statistics, package holidays are consumed most by older age groups.

Finns travel a lot to the neighbouring countries such as Estonia, Sweden, and Russia. Central and Southern Europe are also of interest to Finnish tourists, and tourism to Central Europe was slightly upward. Among long-haul destinations, Finns are attracted to destinations such as the United States and Thailand, although there was a slight decline in tourism in 2019.

• Finns booked almost 676,000 air-based package holidays in 2023
• The most popular package holiday destinations for Finns were Greece, Spain, and Turkey
• Finns travel often to neighbouring countries such as Estonia, Sweden, and Russia.
• Finnish tourists are also interested in Central and Southern Europe, while tourism in Central Europe is on the rise.

Change in tourism

In 2020 and 2021, the tourism and tourism sectors worldwide changed due to the global pandemic. The effects have also been felt in the Finnish tourism and travel industry and, for example, in 2021, the second Corona spring, Finnish travel was almost exclusively domestic, which, according to Stat.fi, was reflected in an increase in domestic overnight trips by more than a third compared to the previous year.

Several factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the improvement of flight connections, and the national tourism strategy, influenced the change in tourism in Finland in 2023. Here are some key points:

• The number of overnight stays by foreign visitors in Finland increased by 17% from June 2022 to June 2023 but was still lower than the pre-pandemic level in 2019.
• The most popular regions for foreign visitors were Uusimaa, Lapland, and Southwest Finland. Germany, Sweden, and the US were the most common origin countries of foreign visitors.
• Finland’s tourism strategy for 2022-2028 aimed to make Finland the most sustainably growing tourist destination in the Nordic countries, with four priorities: supporting sustainable development, responding to the digital transformation, improving accessibility, and ensuring a competitive operating environment.
• Helsinki, the capital city, generated 2 billion euros in direct tourism revenue in 2022, which was close to the pre-pandemic level despite the absence of some important visitor groups.
• In 2021, Finns travelled almost exclusively to their home country; The number of overnight stays by foreign visitors in Finland increased by 17% from June 2022 to June 2023 but was still lower than the pre-pandemic level in
• Approximately 2 million day trips were made to various domestic destinations in 2023.
• Day trips were made especially outside the big cities.
• Day trips to major cities such as the capital region, Turku and Tampere decreased compared to other destinations.
• Of the 6.3 million overnight trips made by Finns to their home country in spring 2023

Prospects for tourism in Finland

Tourist consumption will fall by around 30-40% in 2021 compared to pre-Covid-19 statistics. This is a brighter outlook than previously reported, as increased demand for domestic travel, especially from Finns, has contributed to the recovery in tourism. However, domestic demand alone will not be enough to make up for the shortfall caused by the pandemic; Finland also needs foreign tourism.

Finland is expected to recover much more slowly than domestic tourism has recovered. There is also the possibility that tourism demand will remain below normal levels for a longer period of time.

The prospects for tourism in Finland are still being determined, as the sector is still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the geopolitical tensions in Europe. According to some estimates, tourism in Finland is set for a decline of 5.1% over the next five years. In 2021, 1.45 million arrivals are expected, compared to 1.45 million in 2020. Since 2000, the Finnish market has shrunk by 12.2%. Regarding receipts, Finland is facing a 3.1% drop over the next five years.

However, there are also some positive signs for the Finnish tourism industry, such as the increased demand for domestic travel, especially from Finns, the improvement of flight connections, and the national tourism strategy. Finland’s tourism strategy for 2022-2028 aims to make Finland the most sustainably growing tourist destination in the Nordic countries, with four priorities: supporting sustainable development, responding to digital transformation, improving accessibility, and ensuring a competitive operating environment. The strategy also identifies cooperation as a cross-cutting theme that is essential for achieving sustainable growth and renewal in Finnish tourism.

Finland is also known for its unique attractions, such as the northern lights, the midnight sun, the sauna culture, and the nature reserves. These features may appeal to travellers who are looking for authentic and memorable experiences. Finland also has a reputation as the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report 2023. This may attract tourists who are interested in learning about the Finnish philosophy and lifestyle.

In conclusion, tourism in Finland faces many challenges but also opportunities in the coming years. The sector will need to adapt to the changing market conditions, consumer preferences, and environmental issues. Finland has the potential to offer diverse and high-quality tourism products and services that can satisfy different types of travellers.

• Tourist consumption will fall by around 30-40% for the whole of 2021 compared to the benchmark periods before the coronavirus times
• In 2021, foreign tourist consumption in Finland will be 70-80% lower than usual this year, equivalent to around €3.8-4.3 billion.
• Tourism in Finland is set for a decline of 5.1% over the next five years. In 2021, 1.45 million arrivals are expected, compared to 1.45 million in 2020.
• Finland also has a reputation as the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report 2023.
• Domestic consumption of Finns travelling abroad has fallen by around 76-86%, equivalent to around €1.7-2.0 billion.
• Demand for domestic tourism in 2024 is expected to be close to the 2019 level, and while before the pandemic domestic tourism accounted for around 55% of Finnish tourism demand, this year it will increase to 82-87%.

References

https://tem.fi/matkailu-lukuina

https://www.businessfinland.fi/suomalaisille-asiakkaille/palvelut/matkailun-edistaminen/tutkimukset-ja-tilastot/matkailuvuosi

https://www.stat.fi/til/smat/2021/13/smat_2021_13_2021-06-22_tie_001_fi.html

https://www.stat.fi/til/smat/2019/smat_2019_2020-06-11_tie_001_fi.html

https://www.hs.fi/talous/art-2000008244571.html

https://www.statista.com/topics/7052/travel-and-tourism-in-finland/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/435575/hotel-overnight-stays-in-finland-by-country-of-origin/

https://www.stat.fi/en/publication/cl8eg27k4lsfh09w2qfd7q2o8

https://www.stat.fi/en/publication/cl8egepbelwf009w2t06soz7e

Foreign tourists spend €512 million in Finland from March to April 2023

https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/business/23740-foreign-tourists-spend-512-million-in-finland-from-march-to-april-2023.html

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1447193/tourist-overnight-stays-winter-france-by-accommodation/

https://www.stat.fi/en/publication/cktvhgqxs2b1i0b61c5t0nxgg

https://www2.stat.fi/en/statistics/documentation/smat/2023-02-02

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https://www.reportlinker.com/clp/country/6226/726394

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https://tem.fi/en/finland-tourism-strategy