This summer saw an increase in the number of tourists from Central Europe visiting the Koli tourism area. According to a recent tourist survey, visitors are satisfied with the area, and nine out of ten are willing to return. Koli is once again among the top contenders for Finland’s tourism industry award.
The number of foreign tourists in the Koli tourism area more than doubled, with tourist flows from several different countries being viewed as a positive development.
– “We saw more international visitors at Koli’s tourist information center between May and August compared to last year. The number of German visitors even doubled. Austrians, French, and Dutch tourists also made significant use of our information services,” said Tiina Kanninen, CEO of Kolin Matkailu Oy.
– “Thanks to the good weather, cruises attracted more interest than last summer. Among the activity services, cycling and canoeing were particularly popular with tourists. Smoke sauna trips to the island and horseback riding tours were also favored,” Kanninen added.
In total, more than 83,000 overnight stays were recorded in the area, representing a 10.7% increase compared to the previous year. Koli continues to appeal to Finnish tourists as well, with domestic visitors accounting for over 90% of the total.
The value of accommodation sales in Pielinen Karelia amounted to approximately EUR 7.5 million, an increase of more than 15%. The corresponding figures for the entire region were EUR 19.4 million and 11%.
High Recommendation Rate
More than 2,500 people responded to the tourist survey, and Koli was almost unanimously recommended. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) was 56.
– “Such a high recommendation rate is very rare. The average for Finnish tourist destinations on this metric is 43, so Koli is clearly doing an excellent job of serving its visitors,” said Wille Markkanen from Salmi Platform Oy, which conducted the survey.
Customer satisfaction was also reflected in the willingness to return, with a return intention score of 8.56 on a scale of 0 to 10.
– “Roughly speaking, nine out of ten visitors are ready to return to Koli,” Markkanen noted.
Koli National Park is once again competing among the top three in the “Domestic Tourist Destination/Attraction of the Year” category, organized by the Finnish Tourism Association. Last year, Koli won the top spot in this category.
Tourists gave positive feedback, particularly on the park’s memorable nature, scenery, and services. However, areas for improvement were also identified, especially parking and easier accessibility.
The survey also gauged the views of local residents on tourism. Tourism was seen as contributing to better services (24.7% of respondents) and creating jobs (15.3%). At the same time, 20.5% expressed concern about the environmental impact on nature.
Interest in Sustainable Travel
Although most visitors to Koli arrive by car, public transportation is gaining some traction. For example, the sale of train-boat travel packages increased in the Pielinen area.
– “The results reflect the impact of rail transport. The carbon footprint of travel in Koli, 0.08 kgCO2e/km, is lower than the average of all measurements conducted by Salmi Digital, which is 0.11 kgCO2e/km,” said Markkanen.
The digital discoverability of public transport on the Koli-Joensuu route and the development of on-demand transport are being promoted through the Pohjoinen Lakeland project. The tourist survey was also conducted as part of this project, which will continue until spring 2026.
Contact Information:
Tiina Kanninen, Kolin Matkailu Oy, Tel: +358 50 440 3385,
Mari Mustonen, Lieksan Kehitys Oy, Pohjoinen Lakeland Project, Tel: +358 44 977 5056,
The technical implementation of the tourist survey was carried out by Salmi Platform Oy.
Tourism statistics can be found at: https://dmo.visitkarelia.fi/tilastot/majoitustilastot/
More information about the “Domestic Tourist Destination/Attraction of the Year” competition: https://www.finnishtravelgala.fi/Palkintokategorioiden-TOP-3
Kolin Matkailu Oy is a destination management company (DMC) owned by the tourism entrepreneurs and municipalities of the Koli, Lieksa, and Juuka areas. The company develops, markets, and sells services provided by its shareholders to both individual consumers and business and leisure groups. It manages the Koli brand, the area’s websites (www.koli.fi), the accommodation search service (www.koli.fi/majoitushaku), and the experience shop (www.koli.fi/kauppa). Koli has been awarded “Domestic Hiking Destination of the Year” in 2013, “Domestic Tourism Area of the Year” in 2021, “Best Outdoor Destination in the Nordics” in 2022, and “Domestic Tourist Destination/Attraction of the Year” in 2023.
The main objective of the Pohjoinen Lakeland project, aimed at promoting the profitable growth and internationalization of tourism companies, is to foster growth and international reach for tourism businesses in the Koli and Bomba regions. The project’s main implementer is Lieksan Kehitys Oy, and the funding authority is the Regional Council of North Karelia. Pielinen Karelia Development Center PIKES Oy and the City of Joensuu are also implementing their project components. Additionally, the project focuses on improving accessibility and cross-regional cooperation.
