According to the latest travel statistics, international travel in the Oulu region is on a strong upswing. The number of international travellers in Oulu increased by a whopping 33% in February compared to the same period last year. Accommodation sales also set new records: the month was the best February in the entire measurement history for accommodation sales, both in Oulu and on the Pohjola Route.
According to the latest statistics, international travellers are now flocking to Oulu and the surrounding area, known as the Pohjola Route. In February this year, Oulu welcomed 6,200 international visitors, which is 33% more than during the same period last year. On the Pohjola Route, 19,500 international travelers visited in February. Thus international tourism in the Oulu region grew by 26% compared to last year.
The largest groups of international travellers in February came from Germany to both Oulu and the Pohjola Route. Following the Germans, the largest groups of international visitors in Oulu were from Sweden, England, and the United States. On the Pohjola Route, visitors came from the Netherlands, Belgium, and China.
- Long-term cooperation to develop the region's international tourism is beginning to reflect in the statistics. Also, the message from international tourism events we have participated in over the past months is clear: there is a search for alternatives to Finland's best-known destinations, and smaller hidden gems are attracting international tour operators and travelers. There has also been significant interest in the opportunities for educational tourism in Oulu, says Yrjötapio Kivisaari, CEO of Oulu Tourism Ltd.
Accommodation sales also set new records in Oulu and on the Pohjola Route. February 2024 was the best February in terms of euro-denominated accommodation sales in both Oulu and on the Pohjola Route. In Oulu, accommodation sales reached €4.1 million, increasing by 9% compared to February of last year.
Accommodation sales on the Pohjola Route amounted to €6.3 million, thus growing by 6% from last year. The occupancy rates of hotels also look promising: in Oulu, the occupancy rate of registered rooms was just over 70%, and on the Pohjola Route, it was over 60%.