Winter tourism in Kainuu sees strong growth

Flight bookings to Kajaani airport surge by 50%

Winter tourism in Kainuu is on the rise, with flight bookings to Kajaani Airport up by 50% compared to last year, according to late October figures. In addition to scheduled flights, charter services will also bring visitors to the region during the winter months. This growth highlights the need for sustainable tourism development to ensure that environmental and local impacts remain manageable during the busy travel season.

Thousands of international visitors expected

From November to March, Kajaani Airport is expected to welcome up to 4,000 international tourists arriving on both scheduled and charter flights. Most visitors are anticipated to come from the Netherlands, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

“Based on ForwardKeys Destination Gateway data on airline capacity and seat reservations, more than 2,000 passengers are forecasted to arrive on scheduled flights. Additionally, charter flights from Smartwings and TUI will offer over 2,000 seats combined. If these flights reach 90% occupancy, around 1,900 tourists will arrive via charters,” explains Visit Finland analyst Susanne Heikkinen.

Promoting sustainable tourism

The growing demand for winter travel to Finland supports the development of emerging destinations like Kainuu. By distributing visitor flows more widely, pressure on popular destinations can be eased.

“New charter connections from TUI and Smartwings enhance the visibility of Kainuu’s winter offerings. Through partnerships with tour operators, we aim to maximize occupancy on these flights,” Heikkinen notes. “Travel trends show increasing interest in lesser-known destinations, which aligns well with Kainuu’s appeal.”

Extending tourists’ stays is also a key focus for sustainable tourism. Last winter, German visitors stayed an average of seven nights in Kajaani, while British tourists had slightly shorter trips. This winter, weekly charter flights from Paris and Amsterdam are expected to encourage stays of at least one week.

Supporting local and sustainable growth

“Charter customers can be more easily guided towards sustainable choices,” says Hanna Linjala, coordinator for the Arctic Lakeland region. “By highlighting authentic local services that showcase the region’s unique culture and natural beauty, we not only boost Kainuu’s appeal but also support sustainable growth.”

To further enhance Kainuu’s international profile, targeted marketing campaigns will run in key markets alongside partnerships with airlines and tour operators. These efforts aim to attract more visitors while promoting responsible tourism practices in the region.

More on winter tourismus in Kainuu (in Finnish).

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