Fewer tourists in accommodation establishments

From January to September 2009, 1.1 million foreign tourists stayed in accommodation establishments, which accounted for about two thirds of the total number of accommodated tourists. Despite the major culture events during the summer months, the number of foreign tourists decreased by 62,000 tourists. 53% of foreign tourists come from Finland. The number of tourists using accommodation services increased only from two major partner countries, Russia and Finland. During the nine months, 6,000 more Finnish tourists used the services of accommodation establishments, compared to the same period of the previous year and the number of tourists from Russia increased by 9,000 tourists or 15%.

The number of domestic tourists visiting accommodation establishments decreased significantly. As a total of the nine months 593,000 domestic tourists used the services of accommodation establishments, which was by 153,000 domestic tourists less than in the same period of 2008. The number of domestic tourists in holiday trips decreased by a fifth and that of tourists in business trips by 27%.

In September 155,000 tourists stayed in accommodation establishments — the number of foreign tourists decreased 7% and the number of domestic tourists 23% compared to September of the previous year. In September 822 accommodation establishments with 18,100 rooms and 40,500 beds were available for tourists. The room occupancy rate was 34%. The average cost of a guest night in an accommodation establishment was 464 kroons, which was 14% cheaper compared to September 2008.