Foreign Overnights in Finland 2016 June 14, 2017 First name Last name 2
Positive outlook for Finland growing flows of visitors from several markets FOREIGN OVERNIGHTS 2016 5.8 million +4.7% growth 2016 vs. 2015 Foreign overnights increased by 4.7% from previous year, counting already for 5 768 000 overnights in 2016. As the number of overnights by the Russian visitors have decreased during the last three years, Finland s travel market has diversified with increasing numbers of overnights from many other countries. Growth rate for other countries than Russia was 8% in 2015 and 7% in 2016. Foreign overnights counted for 28% of all registered overnights in Finland in 2016.
China continued with impressive growth Russia started recovering towards the end of the year Even though the number of overnights decreased by 11% from Russia last year, it was still the biggest country of origin by the number of registered overnights in Finland. As the ruble rate grew stronger towards the end of year 2016, the number of Russian overnights started to increase as well. Sweden, Germany and the UK counted also with more than half a million overnights in Finland. Among the fifteen biggest countries of origin the top three performers last year were China (+29% increase in overnights), Spain (+18%) and USA (+14%). When comparing monthly overnights, July, August and December were the most popular. Biggest increase was seen in December and February. Biggest countries of origin Countries Number of Change (%) of origin overnights 2016//15 1. Russia 697 500-11% 2. Sweden 549 300 0% 3. Germany 540 200-1% 4. UK 500 100 6% 5. China & Hong Kong 271 300 29% 6. France 249 900 9% 7. USA 231 500 14% 8. Japan 214 500 5% 9. Estonia 193 400 2% 10. Norway 180 900-3% 11. Netherlands 174 500 9% 12. Switzerland 153 100-4% 13. Italy 139 100 9% 14. Spain 125 700 18% 15. Denmark 103 900 6%
Winter travel focusing mostly Lapland and Helsinki, the latter dominating in summer WINTER 2.6 million, +6% 46% share of all overnights SUMMER 3.0 million, +/-0% 54% share of all overnights Slightly more than half of the overnights in Finland were registered in summer (May-October). However, the increase in yearly overnights resulted from the growing interest from all other countries than Russia for winter travel with a total of 6% growth in overnights during the winter season (November-April). Lapland and Helsinki area increased their popularity during both seasons.
Russia and UK main markets in winter Sweden, Germany and Russia the biggest in summer Russia maintained its leading position during winter, even though it was nearly the only country with less overnight stays compared to the previous year. British overnight stays increased and reached nearly the same amount as the Russians. Besides UK, many other countries performed better than the year before. China counting with the biggest increase in the number of overnights. Germany overtook Russia to become the second biggest market after Sweden during the summer season. Overnight stays increased especially among Chinese and American visitors.
Lapland enjoyed a strong growth in overnight stays When comparing the main travel areas in Finland, Lapland enjoyed the biggest increase in the number of foreign overnights last year. It counted already with 1.3 million overnights. Helsinki is still the biggest travel area with a 42% share of all foreign overnights in Finland, counting with 2.4 million yearly overnights. LAPLAND 1.3M overnights, Change +18% 23% share of all overnights in Finland By the number of foreign overnights, Archipelago and the coastal area as well as Lakeland stay both behind Helsinki and Lapland. They also suffered a decrease in overnight visitors, mainly because of the decrease of Russian visitors. LAKELAND 0.9M overnights, Change -3% 16% share ARCHIPELAGO AND COASTAL AREA 1.1M overnights, Change -2% 19% share HELSINKI 2.4M overnights, Change +5% 42% share
China overtook Russia as the third biggest market in Helsinki Germany among the top 3 in all areas The four year trend in foreign overnights has been positive in Helsinki area, while Archipelago and coastal area and especially Lakeland have faced a downturn because of the Russian visitor decrease during the recent years. Lapland experienced a real breakthrough last year. Helsinki had a large variety of foreign visitors: Germany, Sweden and China counting with the most overnights last year. As Chinese overnights increased and Russian overnights decreased, China overtook Russia in the top 3 countries. Swedish and German overnights increased slightly in Archipelago and coastal area, while those of Russia and UK decreased clearly. Nearly 40% of the overnight stays in Lakeland came from Russia, and they decreased by 8% last year. Top 3 countries of origin in main travel regions and their share of all foreign overnights in the region 1.3 M British visitors are the biggest group in Lapland. Lapland s popularity grew among most visitor groups. Germany is the only country of origin that belongs to the top 3 in all travel areas. 2.4 M 1. Germany 8% 2. Sweden 7% 3. China 7% 1.1 M 0.9 M 1. Sweden 27% 2. Germany 11% 3. Russia 8% 1. Russia 37% 2. Germany 9% 3. Estonia 6% 1. UK 20% 2. Germany 11% 3. France 10%
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