AGP Executive Report

Lapland Christmas Trips: TUI has put its one-day Santa trips on sale, with flights to Kittilä from Cardiff and other UK airports. Prices start at £750 per person, with reindeer and husky rides and a private meeting with Santa. Russian Visitor Rules: Finland is urging the EU to ban tourist visas for Russians. The proposal is not yet in force, but the European Commission is preparing stricter visa rules. Winter Stays: New Lapland accommodation options for winter 2026–27 include glass igloos, sky villas and wilderness retreats. Beyond the Peak Season: Finland’s “secret season” and a new quiet nature festival spotlight trips beyond the Christmas rush, while a Turku Archipelago campaign puts the island region in the travel spotlight.

Aurora Season: An aurora chaser’s advice for 2026–27: choose a destination you’d enjoy even if the lights don’t appear, since sightings are never guaranteed. Cruise News: Royal Caribbean’s 2028–29 Europe season includes Helsinki, while Seabourn plans a new Gulf of Bothnia route and extended Helsinki stays in summer 2029. Archipelago Appeal: Turku’s new campaign invites visitors to explore the archipelago with the playful slogan “Get a Nose Job.” Lapland Stays: Seven new hotels are slated for winter 2026–27, from glass igloos to wilderness retreats; experts also advise Christmas visitors to plan carefully and prepare for the possibility of snow shortages.

Cruises: Royal Caribbean’s first year-round Europe season begins in 2028–29, with Baltic sailings from Copenhagen and Stockholm calling at Helsinki. Seabourn’s 2029 plans add a seven-day Gulf of Bothnia cruise in Sweden and Finland, plus extended and overnight stops in Helsinki. Autumn in Lapland: Finland’s quieter fall season offers ruska colours and clear northern-lights viewing, with far fewer visitors than winter. Lapland Stays: Seven new hotels, from glass igloos to wilderness retreats, are slated to open for winter 2026–27. Archipelago Tourism: Turku’s latest campaign invites visitors to explore the archipelago with a playful “Get a Nose Job” pitch. Nature Breaks: A new Finnish festival puts silence and wildlife centre stage, offering a quieter alternative to crowded events.

Autumn in Lapland: Finland’s quieter “secret season” offers ruska foliage and clear northern-lights viewing, with far fewer visitors than winter. Archipelago Appeal: Visit Turku Archipelago’s playful “Get a Nose Job” campaign is recruiting someone to explore the islands by scent, from pine forests and sea air to wood smoke and dark bread. Winter Connections: Brussels Airlines is adding twice-weekly flights to Kemi-Tornio from December 25, while Finnair will launch a seasonal weekly Paris–Kajaani route on December 12; Brussels Airlines and Finnair are also serving Kittilä this winter. Lapland Stays: Seven new hotels are opening across Finnish Lapland for winter 2026–27, from glass igloos to wilderness retreats. Experts advise booking Christmas trips early and planning carefully around prices, resort choice and uncertain snow. Cruise Plans: Royal Caribbean’s 2028 Northern Europe sailings will include Helsinki, with departures from Copenhagen and Stockholm.

New Lapland Link: Transavia France plans a weekly Paris Orly–Kajaani service from December 12 through March 20, adding a direct seasonal route for winter visitors. Destination Spotlight: A new Turku Archipelago campaign sells the region through its scents, with a humorous film shot on location. Winter Stays and Experiences: Seven new Lapland hotels are opening for the 2026–27 season, while Finland’s new “quietest festival” puts nature at the heart of the event. Visa Policy: Finland is pressing for an EU-wide halt to Russian tourist visas, with Estonia backing the call. Cruise News: Seabourn’s 2029 plans include a seven-day itinerary exploring Sweden and Finland’s Gulf of Bothnia, with calls at smaller Northern European ports.

Finland by Sea: Seabourn’s 2029 summer itineraries include a new seven-day cruise exploring Sweden and Finland’s Gulf of Bothnia, plus maiden calls and longer stays in Northern Europe. Winter in Lapland: Seven new hotels are planned for the 2026–27 season, ranging from glass igloos to luxury wilderness retreats. Finnair reward-seat bookings from the UK to Helsinki can also include eligible onward flights to Lapland for no extra Avios. Nature Breaks: A new Finnish festival puts silence and wildlife centre stage, offering a distinctive draw for visitors seeking a quieter escape. Travel Rules: Finland is pressing the EU to suspend tourist visas for Russian citizens during the war, and Estonia has backed the call; it remains a proposal, not a current travel rule.

Lapland Stays: Seven hotel openings and expansions are planned across Finnish Lapland for winter 2026–27, including glass igloos, luxury suites and a remote wilderness retreat. Nature Tourism: Finland’s “quietest festival” is underway at Valkmusa National Park through October 31, inviting visitors to explore nature-listening stages along forest trails and boardwalks. Travel Policy: Finland is urging the EU to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians while the war in Ukraine continues; the proposal could affect travel across the Schengen zone, but is not yet EU policy. Air Travel: Finnair has raised its 2026 revenue and profit guidance, a positive signal for the Finnish carrier. Public Transport: Matkahuolto has chosen a supplier for contactless bank-card payments across its transport network, aiming to make fares easier to pay and support tickets from different operators.

Nature Tourism: Finland’s Hiljaa Fest, billed as the world’s quietest festival, is open until October 31 at Valkmusa National Park. Visitors can explore at their own pace and listen for wildlife, wind and wetlands on forest trails and boardwalks. Travel Policy: Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen is urging the EU to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians while the war in Ukraine continues. Finland has restricted such visas since 2022; Schengen countries issued nearly 500,000 to Russian citizens in 2025. Air Travel: Finnair raised its 2026 revenue and profit forecasts, citing stronger-than-expected travel demand. It now expects revenue of €3.5–3.6 billion and comparable operating profit of €175–220 million.

Visa Policy: Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen is urging EU countries to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians until Moscow ends its war in Ukraine. The proposal is not yet EU policy; Finland has already halted non-essential Russian visas. Travel Conditions: Rain is forecast across much of Finland on Wednesday, with snow and sleet possible in Lapland and potentially difficult driving conditions. Nature Tourism: Hiljaa Fest, a free “quiet festival” at Valkmusa National Park, invites visitors to slow down and listen to the wetlands’ wildlife and natural sounds through the autumn. Air Links: Emirates has launched Helsinki flights, adding a direct connection with Dubai that could make Finland more accessible to visitors from the UAE.

Visa Policy: Finland is urging EU states to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians while the war in Ukraine continues. The proposal would extend Finland’s 2022 restrictions across the bloc; Schengen countries issued nearly 500,000 Russian tourist visas in 2025. Air Links: Emirates has launched Helsinki flights, with Finland hoping direct service will bring more visitors from the UAE. Sustainable Travel: Helsinki has backed limits on high-emission travel advertising, though implementation could be delayed by up to a decade. Hotel News: A review spotlights Hotel Kämp’s revival, adding a fresh look at one of Helsinki’s best-known luxury stays.

Autumn Breaks: School holidays begin this week in Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Jyväskylä and Kuopio; southeastern Finland and Oulu follow next week, spreading domestic travel demand across October. Aurora Watch: A strong geomagnetic storm has raised the chance of northern lights across Scandinavia, giving visitors another reason to watch forecasts and plan clear-sky outings. Russian Tourist Visas: Prime Minister Petteri Orpo plans to urge the EU to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians at an October 15–16 summit, citing sabotage risks. Finland halted tourist visas in 2022. New Air Link: Emirates has launched Helsinki flights, adding a direct connection from Dubai and a potential boost to visits from the UAE.

Aurora Watch: A strong geomagnetic storm has raised the chance of northern lights across Scandinavia, including Finland, with another moderate storm watch in effect for October 11. Visa Policy: Prime Minister Petteri Orpo plans to urge EU leaders to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians, citing sabotage risks. Finland has already halted tourist visas and closed its land border with Russia. Travel Conditions: Wet, windy weather is forecast across Finland, with possible snow in the north. More Flights: Emirates has launched Helsinki flights, and a direct Dubai connection could bring more visitors from the UAE. Helsinki Stay: Hotel Kämp’s revival is drawing attention for its luxury mix of chandeliers, caviar and cryotherapy.

Visa Policy: Prime Minister Petteri Orpo plans to ask EU leaders to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, citing the risk of sabotage. Finland already stopped issuing the visas in 2022; the proposal would extend restrictions across Europe. Travel Links: Emirates has launched daily flights to Helsinki, adding a direct connection from Dubai that could bring more visitors to Finland. Helsinki Stays: A review of Hotel Kämp spotlights its renovated rooms, new spa and suite options, reinforcing the capital’s appeal for luxury city breaks. Arctic Escapes: A new feature on Finnish Lapland highlights year-round adventures, while snow is possible in the north as wet, windy weather moves across Finland. Sauna Tourism: Finland’s sauna culture remains a draw for visitors, with Tampere singled out for its many public saunas and historic bathing spots.

Visa Proposal: Prime Minister Petteri Orpo plans to ask European leaders to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens. The measure is only a proposal for now, but could change travel access if adopted. Helsinki Stay: A review of Hotel Kämp highlights its renovated rooms, new spa and suite-service breakfast as draws for a city break. Travel Marketing: Helsinki has voted to restrict airline, cruise and fossil-fuel car ads on city-controlled spaces. Existing contracts run until 2035, so changes won’t happen soon. Air Links: Emirates’ daily Helsinki service adds connections through Dubai for visitors from the Gulf and beyond. Lapland Winter: Finland’s ski season has started early, with resorts benefiting from snow left over from last winter. Sauna Break: Tampere offers Finland’s oldest operating public sauna and a strong sauna scene for travellers seeking a distinctly local experience.

Helsinki Stay: Hotel Kämp’s refreshed rooms, new spa and suite-service breakfast put the city’s grande dame back on the map for luxury and wellness breaks. Climate and Tourism: Helsinki has voted to restrict outdoor ads for flights, cruises and fossil-fuel cars on city-controlled spaces, but current contracts run until 2035; the scope is still being worked out, and Visit Åland has raised industry concerns. Winter Conditions: Wet, windy weather is forecast across Finland, with snow possible in the north. Lapland’s ski season has already started unusually early, helped by snow left from last winter. Getting There: Emirates’ daily Helsinki flights offer travellers a direct Dubai connection and access to its wider network. Sauna Breaks: Finland’s sauna culture remains a major draw, with Tampere highlighted for its many public saunas, including the country’s oldest operating one.

Helsinki Stays: Hotel Kämp’s renovation pairs its grand-hotel feel with updated rooms, a new spa and suite-delivered breakfast; rooms start at €290. Tourism Marketing: Helsinki has voted to ban airline, cruise and fossil-fuel car ads on city-controlled outdoor displays. The change will come later: existing contracts run until 2035, and Visit Åland’s chief has raised concerns for tourism. Travel Disruptions: AirBaltic will suspend Riga–Oulu flights from late October through March, with service expected to return next summer. Heavy rain, strong winds and possible snow are also forecast across Finland, with slippery roads possible in the northeast. More Connections: Emirates has launched daily Helsinki flights, adding links to its Dubai hub. Winter Getaway: Finland’s ski season has started in early October, helped by snow left over from last winter.