A decline in the number of Russian visitors to Finland is sweeping over the Finnish hospitality sector.
Timo Lappi, the CEO at the Finnish Hospitality Association (MaRa), estimates that the decline in Russian visitors, along with the economic down-swing and other predicaments, has already resulted in the lay-offs of hundreds of employees.
He also believes the prevalent economic climate will prompt many to forgo investments in restaurant and accommodation services based on expectations that the flow of Russian visitors would continue to intensify. “Some of them [the investments] must certainly be reconsidered,” he says.
On Monday, the Finnish Commerce Federation stated that it expects not only that the number of Russian visitors will continue its decline but also that the visitors will spend less time and money in Finland.
Minna Nalbantoglu – HS
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
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Photo: Mikko Stig / Lehtikuva
