Direct tourism receipts in the Kotka-Hamina region EUR 86.7 million
17.09.2024 | Tourism is a major industry and employer on the east coast. Regionally, the impact is strongest in Kotka. The Kotka-Hamina region has great potential and the employment impact of tourism is clear.
Total impact of more than €100 million
According to the recent Tourism Income and Employment Impact Study, the total direct income from tourism in the Kotka-Hamina sub-regional unit was €86.7 million in 2023. The total impact of tourism was up to €108.8 million.
The Visit Kotka-Hamina region includes Hamina, Kotka, Loviisa, Miehikkälä, Pyhtää and Virolahti. The direct employment impact of tourism in the Kotka-Hamina sub-region in 2023 was 405 person-years and in Loviisa an additional 74 person-years.
“The tourism sector has grown and developed despite challenging times. It is a sector worth investing in, as it brings jobs, income and vitality to the region,” sums up Ekaterina Miettinen, Director of Tourism at Cursor.
Tourism in the region is believed to have a lot of untapped potential.
“By investing in year-round tourism, product development and marketing, and by taking into account changing trends in consumer behaviour, we can improve results,” Miettinen continues.
Kotka on the rise
The impact of tourism has been most visible in Kotka, where direct tourism receipts totalled EUR 61.7 million last year and the total impact was EUR 77.4 million, up 1.8% on the previous year.
In relation to the turnover of other industries, tourism receipts in Kotka were higher than in sectors such as building construction or real estate. Compared to other tourist destinations, Kotka’s tourism receipts are higher than, for example, those of the sub-regional unit of Imatra, Naantali or Rauma.
Small decreases in Loviisa and Hamina
Hamina and Loviisa saw a small decrease in tourism receipts in 2023, which is explained by factors such as interest rate years. The pandemic boosted short-haul tourism, and last year the figures levelled off.
In Hamina, direct tourism receipts in 2023 totalled €17.8 million and the total impact €22.3 million, while in Loviisa direct tourism receipts amounted to €15.2 million and the total impact €25.4 million.
A busy summer of tourism behind us – heading upwards
Tourism statistics for May-June 2024 have been trending upwards. According to Visitority, the number of registered overnight stays in the Kotka and Hamina region was 12% higher than in 2023, with a total of 34 700 overnight stays. The highest numbers of visitors have come from Finland, Estonia and Germany. Registered accommodation sales rose by 8% to €2.1 million.
“Visitors to the region are attracted by the events, the abundance of waterways and the historical sites, which are just over an hour’s drive from the capital region. Again this summer, the range of archipelago destinations and experience accommodation emerged as favourites based on our website analytics,” says Miettinen.
Hamina’s Ulko-Tammio and other islands in the eastern Gulf of Finland were also chosen as the Domestic Destination of the Year 2024, which has contributed to the increased interest in the whole region.
“Visit Kotka-Hamina’s Johku marketplace has proven its worth during the past summer season. Business has been good in terms of activities, accommodation and events. On the meetings side, the autumn is looking like a record-breaking busy season,” Miettinen sums up.
Source and photo: Cursor