Visit Finland successfully concluded its annual workshop in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and New Delhi. The workshop aimed to promote outbound tourism from India to Finland. With the participation of 17 suppliers from Finland, which is the biggest delegation ever in India from tourism sector of Finland, the event showcased a range of offerings from the country. The workshop was also very well attended by a large but exclusive group of representatives of the vibrant Indian travel industry. The workshops enabled fostering of relationships, boosting tourism, and facilitating collaborations in the field of tourism.
Dr. Tito Gronow, Minister, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Finland, New Delhi shared that Finland is looking forward to having Indians with open arms. He also shared that political and commercial relations between India and Finland are very good and very stable. Indians have grown this year to become the largest group of visa applicants followed by Russia and China. Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has invested in visa services and since January 2023, Indian visa applications are handled in Finland after the applicants have submitted their applications to our external partner organization VFS. This makes it possible to handle even much larger number of visa applications in the future. He also added that Finland’s collaboration with Indian tourism will show the power of travel in fostering understanding, appreciation, and friendship across borders.
Paivi Hobbs, Area Manager, Asia for Visit Finland shared that Finland is a land of pristine landscapes, northern lights, lakes, archipelago and a rich cultural heritage that offers an unparalleled experience for travellers seeking something truly unique. Imagine your travellers walking through the snow-covered landscapes, taking in the beauty of Lapland, and witnessing the mesmerizing dance of the northern lights across the night sky. Finland’s midnight sun, national parks, lakes, archipelago and saunas provide an opportunity for relaxation and rejuvenation in the lap of nature.
Sara Sodhi Juneja, Country Head- India and Gulf for Visit Finland shared that Finland offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition. The Indo-Finnish partnership holds immense potential to create memorable journeys and generate excellent business opportunities. As travel agents, your role goes beyond just booking flights and accommodations. You are the architects of dreams, the facilitators of memories, and the gateway to new horizons. She further shared that the magic of Finland is related to happiness. According to an international survey, Finland is the happiest nation in the world for the sixth time in a row and she is personally convinced that an increased number of Indian tourists in Finland will make us even happier.
