Almost as many Finns visit Tallinn as before the corona pandemic. Two new trends are quick departure decisions and the growth of family tourism.
TALLINN Folk musician Emmi Kuittinen with his family is a good example of what draws Finns to the south of the Gulf of Finland now.
– This is a wonderful, beautiful city. Estonian handicrafts and folklore are interesting, Kuittinen says and then turns to the others.
– And then you wanted to go there, whatever it was…
– Proto! comes the group’s response. The trip is completed by staying at a spa hotel in the center.
Proto opened in the popular Noblessner area just before the corona pandemic in 2019.
After suffering the pandemic, the science center has managed to profile itself as a novelty destination of interest to people of all ages, where the laws of physics become familiar by playing, literally.
The number of Finns drops to the level of the record year
Domestic tourism alone would not be enough to keep the businesses of Tallinn’s trendy areas, i.e. Noblessner, Telliskivi and the old town, alive.
Much depends on foreign tourists, almost half of whom have traditionally been Finns.
– Finns have returned to Tallinn quickly and in quite large numbers, Visit Tallinn’s marketing project manager Silja Hurskainen sum up the 2022 stats.
According to the statistics of the year that ended, the number of overnight stays by Finns was, according to Hurskainen, about 83 percent of the level of 2019 before the corona virus. And it was an all-time tourism year in Estonia.
There have been a couple of changes in Finns’ tourism to Estonia since the pandemic.
One is the increase in family tourism.
– It seems to be a recent change. There have been interesting family destinations in Tallinn and families feel that it is nice to come here, Silja Hurskainen estimates.
Another trend is that the decision to go on a trip is made on a quick schedule.
– During the pandemic, we are used to the fact that changes take place. So, until the very last minute, we are waiting to see if we can start, says Hurskainen.
Left Tampere for Tallinn for the first days of the year Lydia Ludwig chose the destination in his own words for the variety.
– I’d rather go this way than that way to Stockholm. Somehow Eastern (Europe) has always interested me more, says Ludwig.
The Ludwigs are also supposed to go to Proto, if they have time from other things to do.
Katariina Hillu arrived with her children in Tallinn from the warmth of Spain. Part of the reason was friends living in Estonia.
– It was known that it is an idyllic Christmas here, let’s make all the places pretty. The children have liked it and enjoyed it, says Hillu.
The trio planned to stay in Estonia for a whole week.
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