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2. Domestic trips

2.1. Number of domestic leisure trips with paid accommodation increased from the previous year

In 2019, some 7.3 million leisure trips were made in Finland during which paid accommodation services, such as hotels, camping sites or rented cottages, were used at least once. The number of short trips with one to three nights increased heavily, but the number of trips with at least four nights decreased.

Examined by age group, those aged 65 to 74 and 35 to 44 increased their travelling in Finland most.

Finns' favourite holiday destinations in Finland were Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa and North Ostrobothnia. Trips to Uusimaa numbered 1.5 million, or one-fifth of all trips with paid accommodation. Eleven per cent of trips were headed to Pirkanmaa and 10 per cent to North Ostrobothnia.

Fewer leisure trips were made to Lapland in 2019 than in the year before. Trips to Lapland were most often made in March, but June, August and December were also popular times for travelling to Lapland. When travelling in the rest of Finland, the most popular times for travelling were the summer months. Sixteen per cent of trips with paid accommodation in Finland were made in July.

Domestic tourists were interested in big towns, because good two-thirds of trips to Uusimaa were made to Helsinki. Three out of four trips to Pirkanmaa were headed to Tampere and nearly two out of three trips to Southwest Finland to Turku.

Passenger cars were usually used in Finland, as 72 per cent of trips were made with passenger cars, which was, however, clearly less than in the year before. Travelling by train increased clearly from the previous year. Travel by other public transport, such as bus or plane, also increased slightly.

The number of nights spent during domestic leisure trips involving paid accommodation totalled 17 million, which was slightly lower than in 2018. Of overnight stays, 58 per cent took place in hotels, holiday villages and camping sites, and 39 per cent in rented cottages or Airbnb.

2.2. Trips with free accommodation to big towns

Eighteen million overnight leisure trips with free accommodation were made in Finland, i.e. to own free-time residences or to relatives or friends. The number of these trips with free accommodation decreased slightly from the previous year.

The most popular destination region for trips with free accommodation was Uusimaa. Nearly one half of the trips to Uusimaa were headed to Helsinki. The next most popular destinations with free accommodation were Pirkanmaa, Southwest Finland and North Ostrobothnia. Nearly one half of trips to Pirkanmaa were made to Tampere as well.

The high season for trips with free accommodation was the summer months, as good one-third of trips with free accommodation were made in June to August in 2019.

2.3. Factors influencing the selection of the domestic travel destination

Domestic leisure trips in which holiday was given as the reason numbered 11.0 million in 2019. Of them, 5.3 million were trips with paid overnight stay and 6.3 million with free accommodation.

In the survey it was possible to mention at most two reasons for selecting the domestic travel destination. The most significant factor influencing the selection of the travel destination was nature, because nearly 60 per cent said it had influenced them in selecting the travel destination. Nature had an effect on selecting the travel destination in three out for four trips with free accommodation, which are such as trips to free-time residences and trips to friends and relatives.

One's own well-being was viewed as the second most important factor, as it affected around 40 per cent of trips. Cultural services had an effect on selecting the travel destination for one-fifth of domestic trips. In trips with paid overnight stay, the emphasis was on cultural and sports activities, which affected the selection of the destination for 70 per cent of the respondents. Shopping was clearly the least important factor, only five per cent of the respondents said that shopping had an effect on the selection of the travel destination.

2.4. Domestic business trips

A total of 3.6 million business trips with overnight stays were made in Finland in 2019. Slightly more of these domestic business trips were made than in 2018.

Domestic business trips were typically very short. Around one half of the trips lasted only one night.

One-half of domestic business trips were made by car, good one quarter by train and around 10 per cent by aeroplane.

Source: Finnish Travel, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Taru Tamminen 029 551 2243, Ossi Nurmi 029 551 2984, liikenne.matkailu@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Ylä-Jarkko

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Updated 11.6.2020