Finnish region loses €1 million per day without Russian tourists

In the autumn of 2023, the Finnish government closed its border with Russia due to an influx of migrants from the Middle East and Africa. Helsinki blames Moscow for this. Russia denied the accusations and stated that it «has no capacity to prevent third-country nationals from reaching the Finnish border».

According to Bloomberg, as a result, the Finnish border region of South Karelia is losing €1 million a day without Russian tourists and employees.

The center of the border town of Imatra has completely changed: most of the shops have been closed, the tourists and buses that once filled the roads have also disappeared. Local spa resorts are experiencing serious financial difficulties. And the city authority has had to allocate budget funds to support the operation of the local historic hotel.

A steel mill in the region has cut staff, and three forestry companies in the region—UPM-Kymmene Oyj, Stora Enso Oyj, and Metsä Group—have also announced layoffs. The local healthcare system has also been forced to lay off some employees.

«Russian money was easy, but it's gone», - noted Jaakko Jappinen, Imatra's Director of Marketing and Tourism.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo admitted in оOctober that opening the Russian-Finnish border is possible in the near future. According to him, for this, the Russian authorities must guarantee the entry of illegal migrants’ ban. 

Photo by Natalia Klimenok