Matka Nordic Travel Fair was attended in large numbers
Visitors arrived to the Matka Nordic Travel Fair to get inspiration for future trips. A lot of product development has been done in the field, which was particularly emphasised in the stands of the domestic destinations of Finland. International exhibitors brought their latest destination news to public. The newest camping vehicles were on display at the Caravan event organised at the same time.
Consumers visited the Matka Nordic Travel Fair to make decisions about future trips, especially for next summer, but also for next winter. At the event, the visitors were delighted about the reunions the fair provided and the opportunity to get expert information and tips face to face. Greece was the partner country of Matka Nordic Travel Fair. More than 900 companies from70 different countries participated in the event entity. More than 50,000 visitors visited the events between 19 and 22 January 2023.
”Once again, the Matka Nordic Travel Fair showed its strength as the starter of the new travel season, when both industry and professionals and the general public gathered at the largest event in Northern Europe. The wonderful atmosphere was palpable – bookings were made at the fair and the visitors were inspired by new destinations and different ways of travelling,” says Noora Haatainen, Business Manager of Matka Nordic Travel Fair.
Tourism within Finland remains high and outbound travelling is predicted to recover fast
”The fair has been a real success. People come to the trade fair to look for elements that cannot easily be found online – large family apartments and experiences, flavours and aromas as well as service. Reservations have been made at a fast pace, especially for the summer, and those who came on location also received extra benefits”, says Satu Kontulainen, PR Manager of Apollomatkat (Apollo Finland).
At the Visit Saimaa stand was celebrated winning the Matka Nordic Travel Fair’s Sustainable Travel Competition, which was awarded to the product of Hanhiniitty Ay/Saimaa Canoeing. It introduced canoeing routes, accommodation, and services with principles of renewable travel. The hostel of the year award went to Savonlinna this year.
”We have received a lot of positive feedback about the fact that we have all the operators of the Saimaa region in the same stand: the cities of Savonlinna, Imatra, Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Varkaus and in addition to them also smaller municipalities like Puumala. It has been busy at our stand and the companies have told us that more reservations have been made than before,” says Nita Silvennoinen from Savonlinnan Seudun Matkailu Oy.
More than half of the visitors were interested in camping vehicles
Helsinki Caravan 2023 event presented camping vehicle novelties and informed on camping vehicle tourism possibilities in connection with the Matka Nordic Travel Fair from Friday to Sunday. According to the visitor survey at the Matka Nordic Travel Fair, 61% of the visitors also visited the Caravan event. 42 companies participated in the Caravan event.
Matka Workshop Day gathered tourism professionals
A total of 600 persons participated in the Matka Workshop Day organised in connection with Matka Nordic Travel Fair. The Matka Workshop Day is the most important event for buying and selling travel services in the Nordic countries. On 18 January, the event was visited by a total of 206 sellers and 230 buyers from 34 different countries.
Further information: Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, Matka Nordic Travel Fair, Communications Manager Anu-Eveliina Mattila, tel. +358 50 555 6183, anu-eveliina.mattila@messukeskus.com.
Caravan Fair, Communications Manager Teija Armanto, puh. +358 50 376 0804, teija.armanto@messukeskus.com.
Northern Europe’s largest travel event Matka Nordic Travel Fair will be arranged 18–21 January 2024 at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The international travel business event Matka Workshop Day opens Matka Nordic Travel Fair on 17 January 2024. The Helsinki Caravan Fair will be arranged 19-21 January 2024. | www.matkamessut.fi | LinkedIn| @matkatravelfair | #Matkamessut #Matka2023
www.caravanmessut.fi | #caravanmessut
