The number of visitors at the Matka Travel Fair increased significantly
International Matka Travel Fair in Helsinki offered information on domestic and international destinations over the weekend. Visitors came to the fair to find inspiration for future trips and to enjoy experiences and activities. According to the Matka Travel Fair research, outbound travel is rising from Finland.
Matka Travel Fair was held from Thursday to Sunday 16–19 January 2025 at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. Caravan Fair was open from Friday to Sunday.
The international Matka Travel Fair was held for the 37th time and the event was the place to make holiday travel decisions for this year. Professionals Day saw an increase in the number of foreign professional visitors and during the day there was lively networking and happy reunions.
This year, 850 companies from around 70 countries participated in Matka Travel Fair. Over 56 000 visitors including the professional visitors attended the events from 15 to 19 January 2025.
“Visitor numbers to Matka Travel Fair increased by 11 %, demonstrating people’s desire to make their travel planning an experience, discover destinations and meet professionals face-to-face. Year after year, Matka Travel Fair proves to be the most important meeting point for professopnals, the public and industry players. The event features the most attractive destinations and the most interesting operators, attracting visitors interested in travel and spending money on travel”, says Noora Haatainen, Business Manager of Matka Travel Fair.
Tour operators succeeded with new launches
Neckermann Nordic was launched at Matka Travel Fair. Director Berk Ercan says that Matka Travel Fair is a very important place to meet customers face to face for a new tour operator in terms of brand building. He says Neckermann has received a warm welcome from Finnish visitors, who have asked for trips to Turkey, Greece, Egypt and the Canary Islands in particular.
Kuopio returned to Matka Travel Fair after a break of several years. A prominent stand in a central location also used its lift chairs to remind visitors of the Tahko Ski Resort and that Kuopio has four strong travel seasons.
“We have felt ourselves very welcome after many years and the 250th anniversary year has served as an attractive theme for visitors to the fair. In the words of Minna Canth: anything but a sleeping, half-dead life,” says Salima Peippo of Kuopio Tourism.
Caravan Fair presented nearly 200 caravans and trailers
The Helsinki Caravan Fair 2025 showcased even more caravans and trailers, and highlighted the opportunities for caravan travel.
“At the Caravan Fair, we reach not only vehicle travellers, but also people interested in travelling who have no previous experience of caravan travel. The conjunction with Matka Travel Fair is important for us. This year, the fair had a programme on how to start travelling by caravan and it packed the stands. The companies have been very happy with the event and business has been good,” says Mika Jokinen, Executive Director of the Association of Touring Vehicle Importers.
A total of 685 professionals attended Matka Workshop Day sales event on 15 January 2025, organised in conjunction with Matka Travel Fair. Matka Workshop Day is the most important buying and selling event for the travel services in the Nordic countries. Nearly 250 companies from 45 different countries presented their destinations and more than 250 international buyers visited the event. A total of 4000 meetings were organised.
Matka Travel Fair, the largest travel event in Northern Europe, will take place from 15 to 18 January 2026 at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The international travel buying event Matka Workshop Day will open Matka Travel Fair on 14 January 2026. The Helsinki Caravan Fair will take place from 16 to 18 January 2026. www.matkamessut.fi |LinkedIn |@MatkaTravelFair I #Matkamessut #Matka2026
www.caravanmessut.fi | #caravanmessut @helsingincaravanmessut
For more information: Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, Matka Travel Fair Communications, Anu-Eveliina Mattila,
anu-eveliina.mattila@messukeskus.com, tel. +358 50 555 6183
Caravan Fair, Communications, Teija Armanto, teija.armanto@messukeskus.com, tel. +358 50 376 0804
