Tourism Statistics

Tourism in Finland – key facts and figures

Finnish tourism had a recoRd year 2012

Finnish tourism industry showed growth in 2012, both in terms of foreign arrivals and foreign overnight stays. A record level of 20 million was exceeded in the number of overnight stays. As in the year before, the engine behind the growth was increased foreign demand. Overnight stays by foreign tourists increased by five per cent while the number of nights spent by domestic tourists remained at last year’s level. In 2012, accommodation establishments in Finland recorded a total of 20.3 million overnight stays, of which domestic tourists accounted for 14.5 million and foreign tourists for the remaining 5.8 million.

The largest markets for overnight stays were the neighbouring countries of Russia and Sweden, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom.

Foreign overnights in 2012 by country, according to Accommodation Statistics:

Russia 1.5 million

Sweden 537,000

Germany 534,000

United Kingdom 405,000

Estonia 235,000

France 217,000

USA 198,000

Norway 182,000

Japan 176,000

Netherlands 164,000

Switzerland 132,000

Italy 130,000

China 100,000

Spain 96,000

The structure of tourism from all main markets each has their own characteristics related to travel season, area and preferred activities.

Southern Finland and the archipelago are the number one area for most tourists (57% of overnights). The Lakeland area has become increasingly attractive over the years (24% of overnights). Finnish Lapland has maintained its popularity (19% of overnights).

Source: Accommodation Statistics 2012, Statistics Finland

7.6 million foreign visitors in 2012

According to the latest border interview survey, Finland received 7.6 million foreign visitors in 2012 – the number of travellers grew by five per cent from the year 2011,

Foreign visitors brought EUR 2.3 billion to Finland, which was approximately EUR 70 million or three per cent more than in the previous year.

Source: Border Interview Survey by Statistics Finland and Finnish Tourist Board

Tourism’s significance to Finland’s national economy

According to information published by Statistics Finland in 2009, a total of €11 billion was spent on tourism in 2007 in Finland. This includes the consumption expenditure of Finnish and foreign tourists. Foreign travellers accounted for 29% (€3.1bn) of total tourism consumption.

Tourism’s share of GDP

In 2007, the value added generated by tourism amounted to €3.6 billion, i.e. 2.3% of Finland’s GDP. When compared to value added elsewhere, that of tourism was larger than the food industry and almost twice as high as agriculture.

Employment impact of tourism

According to the tourism account, total employment in the tourism sector was calculated at 63,944 people in 2007. This figure includes all full- or part-time, year-round jobs in the catering and accommodation sectors, as well as travel agencies and other corresponding employers. Jobs located in other sectors, but providing services for tourism in particular, are also included.

Source: Tourism account 2007, April 2009, Statistics Finland

Outbound travel

Finnish residents’ leisure trips abroad by destination country in 2012

Estonia 1,484,000

Sweden 1,020,000

Spain 610,000

Russia 271,000

Germany 247,000

Italy 243,000

Greece 222,000

Turkey 175,000

France 167,000

United Kingdom 167,000

Source: Finnish Travel 2012, Statistics Finland