Lapland sees record tourist numbers but spending drops

Tourist arrivals in Finnish Lapland rose sharply this winter, but visitors spent less money than in previous years, according to a new report by Business Finland.

Data from December to February shows a 14 percent increase in foreign tourists choosing Lapland as their primary destination compared to last year. However, their total spending fell by 5 percent, with reduced expenditure on dining, entertainment, and accommodation.

Katarina Wakonen, an expert at Visit Finland, noted that tourists allocated fewer euros to lodging this season, a major factor in the decline. She also pointed to the growing influence of budget airlines, which have expanded flight and seat availability, potentially shifting the profile of visitors toward more cost-conscious travelers.

The share of package tourists in Lapland declined by seven percentage points, with only one in four now opting for pre-arranged travel bundles. Independent travel continued to gain popularity.

Nationwide, geopolitical uncertainty and economic downturns contributed to a drop in tourist spending from €1.23 billion to €1.17 billion. In contrast, Helsinki saw an 8 percent rise in visitors and a nearly 20 percent increase in spending, driven by higher accommodation and shopping budgets.

Finland hosted 1.3 million foreign tourists this winter, a 4 percent year-on-year increase. Leisure travel grew by 8 percent, with the largest numbers arriving from the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the US. The most significant growth in visitor numbers came from Germany, the UK, the US, and Japan.