The article is more than 2 years old
Increasingly, visitors to Finland’s national parks are not just enjoying the natural landscape; they are also contributing significantly to the local economies.
According to the state natural resource management agency, Metsähallitus, visitors are flocking to Finland’s national parks in ever-growing numbers.
Last year, 3.6 million individuals visited these parks, marking a marginal increase of one percent from 2022. This spike in attendance brought a boost to local economies, with a notable four percent rise that translated to roughly an extra 10 million euros for communities near the parks, as stated in a recent press release.
Interest in these natural treasures has steadily increased since the year 2000, noted Henrik Jansson, Metsähallitus’ executive director for Parks and Wildlife. While the COVID-19 pandemic did spur a surge in park visitation, Jansson emphasized that this trend goes beyond a fleeting moment in time.
Compared to the figures from 2019, park visits have risen by 12 percent. Last year alone, visitors spent about 285 million euros in areas surrounding the parks, an indication of their significant economic impact.
“It’s important to recognize that national parks, particularly in Eastern and Northern Finland, are not just recreational spots—they are vital economic drivers for these local communities,” Jansson remarked. “Even as many Finns gravitate towards urban living, there’s a strong desire to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of our more remote landscapes during their leisure time.”
However, it’s worth noting that this year, Metsähallitus anticipates a funding decrease of 11 million euros compared to 2023.
In response, the agency has initiated job cuts and implemented various measures to enhance operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Among the 41 national parks across the country, the following emerged as the most popular destinations last year:
1. Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park – 584,000 visits
2. Urho Kekkonen National Park – 417,600 visits
3. Nuuksio National Park – 274,400 visits
4. Koli National Park – 249,100 visits
5. Pyhä–Luosto National Park – 217,400 visits
6. Oulanka National Park – 175,800 visits
7. Sipoonkorpi National Park – 172,500 visits
8. Repovesi National Park – 132,400 visits
9. Yöte National Park – 106,100 visits
10. Teijo National Park – 93,000 visits
Users with an Yle ID can leave comments on our news stories. You can create your Yle ID via this link. Our guidelines on commenting and moderation are explained here.