Successful tourist summer 2023 in Helsinki

#NordicNews on destinations and Finland

Helsinki records rising visitor numbers

Tourism in Helsinki flourished in the summer of 2023. Helsinki, as Finland's top tourist destination, experienced a positive trend in travel during this period. From June to August, the number of overnight stays in Helsinki increased by 5% compared to summer 2022, with a remarkable 8% increase in August alone.

Helsinki's attractiveness as a destination lies in its proximity to nature, maritime environment, commitment to sustainability, vibrant culture and unique events. In 2022, domestic travel to Helsinki saw a significant increase, which has remained at a consistently high level.

This underlines the enthusiasm of the local population to explore the capital and have new experiences in the city. In addition, the number of international visitors to Helsinki increased by over 15% from June to August compared to the previous year. Nina Vesterinen, Tourism Director of the City of Helsinki, commented: "From an international perspective, the capital of Finland is an exotic destination with a pleasant summer climate that avoids the mass tourism seen in Southern Europe."

During the summer season, Helsinki recorded around 1.36 million overnight stays, with 52% coming from Finnish visitors and 48% from international travellers. The occupancy rate of the hospitality industry was 66%, an increase of 2% compared to the previous year. In addition, some visitors chose alternative accommodation such as private homes, which accounted for about 15% of all stays. Helsinki Tourist Information served over 85,000 visitors between June and August, with 96% of customers finding the information particularly valuable.

The success of the summer season was reflected in the positive performance of most businesses in Helsinki's tourism network. In particular, international visitors came mainly from the USA, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Australia and Italy. These tourists were not deterred by occasional rain in Helsinki, which contrasted with the scorching heat waves in southern Europe. Finland's changing weather conditions are likely to be a selling point in the future and will probably lead to an increase in international visitors.

However, Helsinki is aware of the sustainability challenges associated with this growth and aims to prioritize tourism quality over quantity.

More on tourism in Helsinki.

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