Foreign overnight stays in North Karelia rose 52 percent

Foreign tourists’ overnight stays in North Karelia increased by 52 percent in January-August compared with the same period a year earlier, Yle reported, citing Statistics Finland. The increase was the largest among Finland’s regions; nationally, overnight stays by foreign visitors rose 2.9 percent.

Ostrobothnia recorded the second-largest increase, at 24.7 percent. Visit Finland’s Rudolf service also showed growth in North Karelia, reporting a rise of 29.5 percent. The difference between the figures reflects the services’ slightly different statistical definitions.

Rudolf recorded 400,900 registered overnight stays in North Karelia during the first eight months of the year. The largest groups of foreign visitors came from Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy.

Overnight stays at North Karelia Cooperative’s tourism destinations in Koli, in Lieksa, and Bomba, in Nurmes, rose 56 percent, according to Rudolf. In October, North Karelia received a European Travel Awards distinction as an authentic cultural and nature tourism destination. The awards went to several dozen destinations across Europe.