Statistics Finland’s flash report, released late on January 17, reveals that non-resident visitors booked nearly half a million overnight stays in November 2025—a commendable year-on-year increase of seven percent. While these figures reflect past trends, they mark the onset of the much-anticipated northern lights and winter sports season that typically attracts high-yield travelers to Lapland.
In total, visitors enjoyed 1.56 million overnight stays in November, with domestic travelers contributing 1.06 million nights, a slight dip of one percent compared to the previous year. The driving force behind the growth, however, was international visitors, particularly from the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. These markets underscore a resurgence in leisure travel, alongside a gradual return of corporate meetings and incentive trips that had been delayed due to previous economic uncertainties.
Hotel occupancy across Finland averaged 54 percent, with Lapland experiencing a striking €228 per night—a figure more than 70 percent higher than the national average of €131. For mobility managers, these statistics signal that capacity constraints and peak-season pricing are likely to remain prevalent in northern destinations well into the first quarter of 2026. Companies intending to visit mining, energy, and technology projects in cities like Rovaniemi, Kittilä, or Oulu would be wise to secure accommodations and domestic flights early, factoring in the anticipated higher rates. In contrast, Helsinki and Tampere still offer mid-week availability at competitive prices, a reflection of a sluggish domestic travel market.
In another development, Finavia, Finland’s airport operator, announced that charter slots for Asian markets are nearly fully booked for February, suggesting that accommodation and ground transport availability may tighten even further. Travel associations have welcomed this positive trend but are urging the government to expedite Schengen visa processing in key source markets. They pointed out that appointment backlogs in countries like India and China are still above pre-pandemic levels.
Travelers and corporations grappling with these visa appointment delays have an ally in VisaHQ’s digital platform, which streamlines the application process. It offers real-time monitoring of available slots, step-by-step guidance on required documents, and secure courier return of passports. This service—accessible at VisaHQ—is designed to help applicants obtain Finnish and other Schengen visas more efficiently, ensuring that their travel plans stay on track during the bustling winter season.
The November data will play a crucial role in shaping the national Tourism and Events Program for 2026-2029, set to be unveiled next week at the Matka Travel Fair in Helsinki. Stakeholders are optimistic about a strategy that emphasizes sustainable growth, digital visitor flows, and diversification of year-round demand.