Finland is wooing Indian tourists and hopes to receive 70,000 of them, including Bollwood.
“In 2006, we had 40,000 Indians visiting our country, last year the figure touched 50,000 and this year we are hoping 70,000 will pay a visit by the year-end,” Finnish Tourist Board Marketing Manager Papori Bharti told reporters.
She said that “Visit Finland” is the nodal agency for promotion of Destination Finland, which at present is conducting a promotion with presentations on the latest updates on the destination.
The cities being covered under this are Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Delhi, she said, adding Finnair, the flag carrier, was also offering attractive discounts on tickets to the tourists.
Bharti said that noted Bollywood director Mahesh Bhat was also planning to shoot a film in Finland shortly.
“Recently, we conducted a seminar in which filmmakers from different parts from Europe and some from India took part. We have set up Lapland Film Commission, the nodal agency which will facilitate those willing to shoot in Finland,” she said.
With winter round the corner in Finland, “We are aggressively promoting our must-see destination Lapland, renowned the world over for its tranquillity, pristine natural environment, water falls,” said Katja Etelainen, Marketing and Communications Manager of Rovaniemi (Finnish city) Tourism.
Katja said that Lapland is also the best place to witness the spectacular natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights.