In July, the number of overnight stays increased not only in Päijät-Häme but also in Uusimaa. The province benefits from expensive fuel, which taxes travel far away.
In Päijät-Hämee, a record-breaking tourist summer is behind us. In July, a new record was set in the province for the number of overnight stays. More than 84,000 overnight stays are three percent more than the year before, which was also record-breaking.
– In July, tourism grew only in Päijät-Hämee and Uusimaa. We benefit from being close to the capital region when fuel has become more expensive, says Forsman.
The tourism business in Päijäthämä has been boosted, for example, by the visual arts museum in Malva Lahti, which opened in the spring. Sports and nature tourism are also popular. For example, the popularity of cycling brings travelers to Salpausela. Pajulahti and Vierumäki’s investments in tourism are clearly visible in the statistics, according to Forsman.
– Many people left the desire to live healthier and move in nature from the Corona era, Forsman reminds.
It is believed that the effect of inflation will continue to favor Päijät-Hämet, even though foreign tourism has woken up from its corona hibernation. Even in the future, faith in tourism income in the province relies heavily on domestic tourists, because the world situation is unstable due to the war started by Russia. Fear of Russia may drive away foreign tourists in the future.
– It remains to be seen how, for example, the blowing up of gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea will affect, for example, whether international cruise ships will come to Finland, Forsman reflects.