The number of international conference visitors in Finland increased significantly in 2016. Based on the number of visitors, Turku is the third most popular city for conferences in Finland.

Top 5 Finnish conference cities

Numbers of visitors 2016

  1. Helsinki 60,790
  2. Tampere 10,797
  3. Turku 6,299
  4. Jyväskylä 4,540
  5. Oulu 4,208

Event and conference services: meetturku.fi

In terms of international conference visitors, 2016 was a record-breaking year in Finland, with a total of over 101,500 conference attendees. The figure was over 33% higher than the previous year.

According to Mervi Toivonen from the Finland Convention Bureau, the results have been worked hard for. In order to maintain this exceptional increase, it must be ensured that the hotel capacity, for example, is sufficient even in the future. 

– Large international conferences are not easily brought to Finland. The application processes can be long, and the international competition is keen. These results are most of all a proof of long-term success in applying for events, Toivonen says.

On a global level, conference organisers are increasingly interested in locations other than just the capital city.

Mervi Toivonen

The increasing number of conference visitors also has significant financial effects. The average international conference delegate will spend 1,635 euros in the target country, which is 4–5 times more than the average tourist. Therefore, last year’s more than 100,000 conference visitors can be calculated to have spent almost 166 million euros in Finland, of which 10.3 million was in Turku.

– On a global level, conference organisers are increasingly interested in locations other than just the capital city. Statistics show that Finland has several good conference cities, which have been internationally recognised as appealing. This is excellent news for Finland as a conference country, Toivonen says.

– Turku’s strengths lie in Logomo and the hotels and meeting facilities along the Aura riverside. The renovation of the Turku City Theatre will be finished next autumn, and the Theatre will be able to host magnificent parties and meetings even in the future, says the City of Turku’s Event and Conference Manager Sari Ruusumo.