The City of Helsinki attracted 2.3 million foreign visitors last year

[TOM Merilahti]

(published 09.10.2008 , last updated 09.10.2008)

A total of 2.3 million foreigners visited Helsinki in 2007, which is eight percent more than in the previous year. The number of day visitors was 659,000, which is proportionally the same as before at 28 percent.

In addition, 260,000 foreign cruise ship passengers visited Helsinki in summer 2007, making a total of 919,000 foreign day visitors.

The figures are based on interviews with foreign visitors leaving the country conducted by Statistics Finland. An average of 334 euros was spent per visitor, or 67 euros per day.

The comparable figures for Finland as whole were 287 euros per visit and 53 euros per day. Altogether foreign visitors spent 778 million euros during their stay in Helsinki. Combined with the approximately 33 million euros spent by foreign cruise ship visitors to Helsinki, the direct income from tourism amounted to 811 million euros in 2007.

Destination Helsinki (.pdf, page 4)

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Text: City of Helsinki

The Helsinki Connection

[TOM Merilahti]

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for your comments!

SISU, Sauna and Sibelius are an important part of the Finnish national identity, but unfortunately Finns has been known as heavy drinkers as well. But I think the drinking culture has become better during the past years.

As you might already know, SICU is the acronym of the name and slogan: Synergy Integrated - Connects the Unconnected. On the other hand the Finnish word SISU is a conception. SISU is a central part of the Finnish national identity. It is an ability to get things done, describing staying power, will power of iron and decisiviness to get things done even against impossible odds.
SISU was the first Icebreaker ever build in Finland. The state of Finland ordered it in 1937, and it was named by pupils representing the comprehensive school in Finland (Photo: Sister ship build a "bit" later)

Sauna is Sauna in any language, I think, and you are naturally to visit to take a sauna with me anytime.

Lapponia Lakka Cloudberry Liqueur: A lapponia lakka cloudberry flavored Liqueur. Liqueur is a class of spirit that is usually sweet and often served after dinner. It is produced by either mixing or redistilling spirits with natural ingredients such as fruits, plants, flowers, or chocolate. Sugar must be at least 2.5% of the contents by weight.

[TOM Merilahti]

BTW. If you would like to listen to Jean Sibelius, just visit my profile and choose Finlandia. My profile>