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| finland-lapland |
Finnish delegation at Arabian Travel
Market to include a range of unique hotels and resorts, high-end tours and DMCs
Finland welcomed almost 12,000
tourists from the UAE in 2018 revealed Visit
Finland, the Finnish tourist authority, as it returned to Arabian Travel
Market with a unique campaign aimed specifically at Middle East tourists.
Speaking at a press conference
during ATM 2019 today, Visit Finland representative, Joonas Halla, said: “2018 was
another successful year for the Finnish tourism industry, not only did the
number of visitors from the UAE increase by 20.6% from 9,906 in 2017 to 11,951
in 2018, the number overnight stays during the winter season also doubled. In
Lapland alone, the number of UAE visitors increased by 36.1% to 2,791 between
2017 and 2018.
“This year, we have already
witnessed remarkable growth, with UAE visitor numbers increasing by 131% in January
2019 compared to January 2018, and 110% in February compared to the same month
last year, so we are confident our tourism numbers and receipts will eclipse
the successes of 2018.”
Finland’s links with
the UAE have strengthened in recent years mainly due to the introduction of new
direct airline routes. In October 2018, flydubai started a new direct, daily
flight between Dubai and the Finnish capital, Helsinki. Meanwhile, Finnair, the national carrier of Finland, is expected to restart
its seasonal Dubai to Helsinki flight later this year, flying between October
2019 and March 2020. Turkish Airlines are set to launch a new direct route from
Istanbul to Rovaniemi in December, further widening the reach.
Halla said: “Building on the
success of our participation at last year’s ATM, this year we are looking to
learn more about potential partners and tour operators we can work together
with to promote Finland as the perfect winter and summer destination for Middle
East tourists.
“Finland has long been a
popular destination within the European market, however we now want to extend
our source markets and pique the interest of UAE, and of course GCC residents,
who are looking for a new and exciting destination to explore during the winter
season, and also experience what Finland has to offer in the summer.”
Finland’s ATM delegation will
be showcasing the country as a year-round destination, with a plethora of
leisure activities, unique accommodation and cultural attractions throughout
the summer and winter.
A host of representatives from
a wide-range of the luxurious accommodation providers from Finnish Lapland – a
region also known as the Land of the Midnight Sun where a single summer day
lasts for over two months - will join the Visit Finland stand. These include the
new Design Hotel Levi, which is located on the Levi slopes and set to open in
2019; the Northern Lights Ranch, a unique resort and activity facility; and Levin
Iglut, a glass-roof igloo hotel located on the slope of a fell at a height of
340 metres.
Yrjötapio
"Y.t." Kivisaari, Managing Director, Levi Destination, said:
"Levi is a year-round holiday destination in the Finnish Arctic Lapland,
170 km north of the Arctic Circle. We are famed for having the cleanest air in
the world, the purest water and the most enchanting nature. Every year the small
village of just 1,000 people welcomes over 700,000 guests to experience the Northern
Lights, golf among reindeer, visit Santa and the Elves, meet the husky dogs, or
participate in unforgettable nature adventures.
“The summer and autumn months are a particular
draw for guests looking to get out of big cities or hot climates to enjoy our
cooler temperature.
“We are currently opening our UAE market and
can provide a great variety of bespoke and luxury services to suit all tastes.
With five hotels, 850 chalets, 60 restaurants and a lively small village we
look forward to showcasing exactly what we have to offer guests in both the
summer and winter."
Also exhibiting from Lapland is
the Arctic Treehouse Hotel, located on the Arctic Circle close to Rovaniemi, which
will be showcasing its resort of individual suites situated on a steep natural
hillside and providing guests with panoramic views of both the Northern Lights
and Midnight Sun.
Kämp
Collection Hotels witnessed a 20% increase in GCC visitors in 2018 and will be
highlighting a range of Helsinki-based properties, including the only official
five-star hotel in Helsinki, Hotel Kämp, as well the newly opened Hotel St.
George, a luxury property offering holistic care for a healthy mind, heart and
body.
Janina
Taittinger, Head of Sales at Kämp Collection Hotels, said: “Kämp Collection
Hotels consists of the first and finest hotels in Helsinki. Ranging from cosy
to luxurious, every hotel represents the crown jewel in its category. It is our
privilege and desire to help our guests fall in love with Helsinki – by
discovering more than the surface.”
During the summer months, golf, music and film
festivals, swimming, food foraging, canoeing and sailing are a very popular pastime
in Finland while, when the season changes to autumn, hiking, climbing and
wildlife-watching become popular.
Finnish winter lasts half of
the year, with temperatures varying between zero and minus 35. In winter, husky
and reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobile safaris, ice driving experiences, the
Northern Lights, ice-breaker cruises and of course, meeting Santa Claus, are
just a handful of must-see attractions for tourists every year.
Halla said: “With a wide-range
of exceptional accommodation options, in a safe and hospitable environment, and
some of the most breath-taking vistas, Finland has a unique offering for every
visitor.”
Visit Finland will be
exhibiting at Arabian Travel Market in the Dubai World Trade Centre from Sunday
28th April – Wednesday 1st May on Stand number EU5720.
For
further information please visit www.visitfinland.com
