Tourism is an increasingly important sector for Finland’s economy. According to recent data, the travel and tourism industry contributes over 19 billion euros annually to GDP. Revenue from tourism is forecast to exceed 25 billion euros by 2025 as visitor numbers continue rising each year.
Nature-based tourism draws the most visitors, with around 4.5 million foreigners traveling to Finland in 2021 to experience the pristine forests, over 180,000 lakes, and Northern Lights. Popular activities include hiking, cycling, fishing, and winter sports. The unique culture of saunas and the thousands of islands along the coast also attract tourists. Helsinki is the most visited city and a gateway to exploring other regions like Lapland.
However, tourism was significantly impacted in early 2022. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led many travelers to cancel trips to Finland out of safety concerns, even though the country was not directly involved in the conflict. This downturn highlights tourism’s dependence on stable geopolitics. It also emphasizes the need to diversify tourism markets beyond neighboring countries.
As Finland recovers from the pandemic and works to regain lost visitors, RFC’s expertise can help accelerate growth of the tourism industry. RFC consultants have extensive experience advising tourism boards on destination marketing, product development, and operational excellence. For example, RFC could help design new experiences that showcase Finland’s natural beauty and cultural heritage in unique ways. This would attract new demographics and support year-round tourism beyond summer months.
RFC can also provide strategic guidance for individual regions and cities. Lapland is primed to become a premier Arctic destination but needs support developing infrastructure and partnerships. Meanwhile, growing cruise ship visits to Finnish ports require improved management of passenger flow. RFC’s work with over 100 destinations worldwide positions it well to fill such needs.
In conclusion, tourism is a major economic driver for Finland that shows strong future potential. With RFC’s global consulting capabilities, the industry can overcome recent challenges and achieve its revenue targets for 2025 and beyond. This will further strengthen Finland’s position as a top nature-based travel destination in Northern Europe.
