Finland recorded a 19% decline in international tourist arrivals during summer 2026, but spending by foreign visitors remained at €1 billion, matching the total recorded a year earlier, according to figures released by Business Finland on Thursday.
More than 1.3 million trips to Finland took place between June and August, with visitors arriving from 85 countries. Although fewer international tourists visited the country, those who came stayed longer and spent more per trip, helping to offset the decline in arrivals.
The average length of stay increased from three nights in summer 2025 to four nights in 2026. Spending by holidaymakers also rose by 14% year on year, reflecting stronger expenditure despite the reduction in visitor numbers. The reported spending covered accommodation, restaurants, transport, activities and shopping, but excluded international air and ferry tickets.
Holidaymakers accounted for 64% of foreign visitors during the three-month period. Another 18% travelled to Finland to visit friends or relatives, while business travellers and conference delegates represented 12% of international visitors.
Katarina Wakonen, a tourism specialist at Visit Finland, which operates under Business Finland, said the decline reflected changes in travel patterns rather than a uniform fall across all international markets. She pointed to fewer non-leisure trips, weaker demand from Estonia and changes in the number and timing of international conferences and events as factors behind the lower figures.
Leisure tourism showed greater resilience than other forms of travel. Spending by holidaymakers increased even as overall international arrivals fell, suggesting that visitors travelling for holidays continued to contribute strongly to Finland’s tourism economy.
Germany, Sweden and Estonia remained Finland’s largest source markets for international holidaymakers during summer 2026. Japan, the United States and Poland completed the six leading markets. Spending increased among visitors from five of these six countries, with Estonia the only exception.
German, American, Swedish and Japanese holidaymakers contributed the largest amounts to leisure tourism spending. The results highlight the importance of established European markets alongside long-haul visitors from the United States and Japan.
Visitor satisfaction also remained high. International holidaymakers rated their trips to Finland an average of 4.7 out of five. Visitors from the United States, Britain, Japan and the Netherlands reported particularly high satisfaction with their main destinations, while American and German tourists showed the strongest willingness to recommend Finland to friends and acquaintances.
The survey also offered insight into what international visitors valued during their stays. Finnish nature, lakes, saunas, food, architecture and urban culture frequently appeared among the most memorable parts of their trips. German visitors particularly highlighted natural scenery and landscapes, while Japanese tourists mentioned saunas, shopping, design and landmarks. American visitors identified food, nature and city experiences among their preferred activities.
Interactions with local residents and Finnish hospitality also featured in visitors’ accounts. Wakonen said international tourists shared an interest in local traditions and experiences, including opportunities to combine nature, culture and urban activities within a single trip.
The findings come from the Finnish Visitor Survey, produced by Visit Finland and Statistics Finland. Responses were collected from departing international travellers at Helsinki Airport and the ports of Helsinki and Turku between June and August 2026.
The survey measures international visitor numbers, spending and travel behaviour, providing an overview of how foreign tourism contributes to Finland’s economy. The latest results are available through Visit Finland’s statistical services.
