According to statistics by the Association of Finnish Travel Agents AFTA, the Finns' most beloved and popular destination in Asia is still Thailand, with 48,000 package trips expected to be made during the coming winter season.
In addition to Thailand, there is also an increase in the travel offering and in Finns' interest in Africa, especially North Africa.
Finns made 6.1 million overnight leisure trips abroad in 2016. At the Matka Nordic Travel Fair 2018 in Helsinki, from 17 to 21 January 2018, people suffering from 'travel fever' will be able to look for the most attractive destination for next year. Exhibitors will be presenting long-haul destinations and tips from Africa, Asia, America and Australia.
Besides Thailand, Africa will be on show mainly through exotic destinations south of the Sahara at the Matka Nordic Travel Fair 2018. The countries presented at the fair include South Africa, Seychelles, Madagascar, Rwanda and Uganda, while North Africa is represented by Morocco. Madagascar will also present holiday opportunities and the country's stunning nature on the fair's Inspiration stage.
In addition to Thailand, the Matka Nordic Travel Fair will invite visitors to get acquainted with other Asian countries and destinations. The fair will feature, for example, the United Arab Emirates (Ras al-Khaimah), India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. The We Love Cruises stage will introduce India’s UNESCO world heritage sites, which total as many as 36.
Of the destinations in the Caribbean, the fair will feature the Caribbean islands, including the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Cuba will also bring a 12-person salsa band to the fair, to perform on the Inspiration stage.
Many of the travel agencies featured at the fair, including Olympia, Aurinkomatkat, Albatros Travel, Matkavekka, Aventura and Mandala, provide long-haul trips to exotic destinations. Cruise trips are provided by We Love Cruises, RCL Cruises and Risteilykeskus. Flying people to faraway and nearby destinations are airlines exhibited at the fair, including Finnair, SAS, Air Baltic, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Tap Portugal, Ethiopian Airlines, Ukraine Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Croatia Airlines.
The exhibitors and programme of the Matka Nordic Travel Fair are available at www.matkamessut.fi.
The first two days of the event are reserved for professionals.
Of the destinations in the Caribbean, the fair will feature the Caribbean islands, including the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Cuba will also bring a 12-person salsa band to the fair, to perform on the Inspiration stage.
Many of the travel agencies featured at the fair, including Olympia, Aurinkomatkat, Albatros Travel, Matkavekka, Aventura and Mandala, provide long-haul trips to exotic destinations. Cruise trips are provided by We Love Cruises, RCL Cruises and Risteilykeskus. Flying people to faraway and nearby destinations are airlines exhibited at the fair, including Finnair, SAS, Air Baltic, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Tap Portugal, Ethiopian Airlines, Ukraine Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Croatia Airlines.
The exhibitors and programme of the Matka Nordic Travel Fair are available at www.matkamessut.fi.
The first two days of the event are reserved for professionals.
