Tourism generates €223 million in economic impact in Kuusamo

Nearly one in five euros comes from tourism

Tourism is one of the cornerstones of Kuusamo’s economy and vitality. In 2025, tourism remained strong, with its impact extending widely across the local economy. Kuusamo’s direct tourism revenue totalled €148.3 million, remaining largely at the previous year’s level (–0.5%). When multiplier effects are included, the total impact of tourism in Kuusamo rises to €222.8 million.

Tourism generated a total of 803 person-years of employment in the region, making it one of Kuusamo’s most significant employers. Tourism accounted for 17.3% of total turnover and 17.6% of employment. In practice, nearly one in five euros and jobs are linked to tourism.

Tourism builds broad wellbeing

The importance of tourism in Kuusamo is not limited to a single sector – it acts as a unifying force across the entire local economy. Tourism income is widely distributed across industries: accommodation and food services (€78 million), retail and fuel (€41 million), recreation and programme services (€21 million), and transport (€9 million).

The sector supports SMEs and local entrepreneurship, as a large share of services is produced locally. Each tourism euro circulates multiple times in the region, creating demand for subcontracting, services, and retail. Tourism also generates significant public benefits for Kuusamo: €26 million in wage income and €2.2 million in municipal tax revenue. These funds contribute directly to local services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

A long-term and sustainable driver of vitality

A key strength of tourism in Kuusamo is its ability to create long-term, local, and sustainable wellbeing. Jobs in tourism are rooted in local services and cannot be relocated elsewhere. The sector’s attractiveness is built on Kuusamo’s nature and locally rooted experiences – assets that will remain relevant in the future. Growth in international tourism increases the region’s visibility, investment appeal, and global interest.

Tourism revenue per resident in Kuusamo was approximately €10,000, placing the region among the top destinations in Finland alongside the strongest tourism areas in Lapland and highlighting the exceptional importance of tourism for the local economy. Tourism supports year-round vitality and helps ensure the availability of services for local residents.

“Kuusamo’s current tourism performance is a great example of how a strong and broad-based industry can create sustainable wellbeing in a region. Despite continued challenges in the domestic economy, tourism’s impact on the regional economy remained stable and provided jobs for hundreds of people. The benefits of tourism extend well beyond the tourism sector itself. Kuusamo differs from many northern tourism municipalities in that we also have other strong industries – which is a very positive thing,” says Janne-Juhani Haarma, CEO of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association.

National development showed mixed trends

According to a study by Visitory, tourism development in 2025 was regionally uneven. Finland’s sluggish economic growth particularly affected domestic tourism, while the increase in international visitors supported development in many areas. In Kuusamo, tourism revenue remained stable, reflecting the sector’s resilience and sustained demand.

“Tourism is a strategic choice for Kuusamo – it combines vitality, employment, and sustainable regional development. The figures show that tourism is one of the few industries that simultaneously generates economic and social value, with impacts that extend widely across society,” says Anna-Riitta Sulander, Industry Manager at Naturpolis Oy.

More information:
Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association, Janne-Juhani Haarma, CEO, janne@rukakuusamo.fi, tel. +358 400 411 577
Naturpolis Oy, Anna-Riitta Sulander, Tourism Industry Manager, anna-riitta.sulander@naturpolis.fi, tel. +358 40 727 4222
Visitory Oy, Mikko Manka, mikko.manka@visitory.io, tel. +358 40 549 8557