Finland's tourism and hospitality sector is hoping for a bumper season this winter, with about 1.3 million tourists expected to visit over the coming months.
A report by Business Finland, a state agency tasked with promoting travel and tourism, estimates that their total spend could hit 1.3 billion euros — which would set a new record for winter tourism, if achieved.
Finnish Lapland is the main destination for tourists coming to Finland during the winter months, with the region usually accounting for nearly two-thirds of visitors from abroad. The Helsinki metropolitan area meanwhile receives about one quarter of foreign tourists during the same period, with the remainder (about 10 percent) shared among the other regions.
A spokesperson for the agency noted that Finland is performing excellently in comparison to its Nordic neighbours in terms of attracting tourists from abroad, with a strong focus on the Asian market reaping dividends for the Finnish tourism sector.
Finland also receives the largest number of tourists who travel to the Nordic region from France, the UK and Switzerland.
A recent report by Statistics Finland noted that tourism numbers are returning to pre-pandemic levels, with a noticeable surge in visitors from Germany, Sweden and the US.
Business Finland estimates that about 500,000 foreign tourists will arrive in the country between December and next February. This represents an increase of almost ten percent compared to the same period last year.
Lonely Planet names Finland in 'Best Destinations 2026' list
Finland's hopes of a bumper winter season will have been boosted by being listed by travel guide the Lonely Planet as one of the best destinations to visit in 2026.
"Whether you are paddling through Finnish Lakeland in the golden light of a midsummer evening, feeling the heartbeat of Sámi reindeer-herding culture in Inari or embracing the bitter cold of Lapland on a dogsled ride as the northern lights come out to play, you will realize that Finnish happiness is tuning into nature, in touch with your inner child," the guidebook gushes.
Finland is the "best for finding happiness in wild places", Lonely Planet adds.
Aside from Finnish Lapland and the capital region, the guide also namechecks "castle-topped Turku; cultured, lakeside Tampere; and riverside Oulu, with its lively market square, Kauppatori."
Yle News' All Points North podcast joined a tourist group searching for a glimpse of the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
