In 2024, the number of overnight tourists in the Nordic countries increased, particularly among international visitors. In Finland, the number of arrivals at registered accommodations reached a new record, although domestic tourism showed signs of decline. The number of arrivals to accommodation continued to rise in Sweden and Norway, while Denmark maintained steady growth as in previous years. Overnight stays by international tourists increased significantly in all countries, even though the length of stay shortened.
Finland: International visitors drive growth
In 2024, Finland recorded a total of 22.7 million overnight stays, which was one percent less than previous year. Although the overall number of overnight stays declined, the number of travelers arriving at registered accommodation increased by two percent. The number of international arrivals grew significantly, up by as much as 13 percent compared to the previous year. The most common countries of origin were Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Despite this significant increase, the number of foreign visitors has not yet reached 2019 levels.
Helsinki saw particularly positive results, with 4.6 million overnight stays recorded, representing a 10 percent increase from 2023. Of these, 2.2 million were international overnight stays, with the highest numbers coming from the United States, Germany, and Sweden.
Sweden: Record numbers and strong international growth
Sweden recorded 64.1 million overnight stays in 2024, marking a one percent increase from the previous year. The number of international overnight visitors increased sharply, with 8.4 million arrivals to registered accommodation, meaning a 16 percent increase from 2023. The largest numbers of international tourists came from Norway, Germany, and the United States. For the first time, the number of foreign visitors exceeded 2019 levels, highlighting Sweden’s growing appeal in the global tourism market.
Stockholm recorded 9.7 million overnight stays, 4.3 million of which were by international visitors. This represented overall a two percent increase from the previous year, with the primary countries of origin being the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Denmark: Steady growth continues
Tourism in Denmark continued its steady growth. In 2024, the country recorded 39.9 million overnight stays, a two percent increase from 2023. Number of international arrivals to registered accommodation increased by nine percent, reaching a total of 6.3 million. The most common countries of origin were Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway.
Copenhagen stood out with 11.1 million overnight stays, marking a seven percent increase from previous year. Of these, an impressive seven million were by international visitors, with the highest numbers coming from Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Norway: Domestic tourism stronger than in other Nordic countries
Norway recorded a total of 38.6 million overnight stays in 2024, a four percent increase from the previous year. The number of international tourists grew significantly, with 6.7 million arrivals to registered accommodation - 12 percent more than in 2023. The largest groups of overnight visitors came from Germany, the United States, and Sweden.
Unlike Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, domestic tourism in Norway grew slightly from the previous year. The number of domestic overnight visitors recorded was 13.5 million, a one percent increase from 2023.
In Oslo, the number of overnight stays increased by six percent to 6.7 million, with 2.7 million being international visitors. The most common countries of origin were the United States, Germany, and Sweden.
Shorter stays across all Nordic countries
A common trend across all Nordic countries was the shortening length of stay, particularly among international tourists. This suggests that visitors are opting for shorter but more concentrated trips. This is why the number of overnight stays has not yet reached the peak levels of 2019 in all countries, even though more tourists arrived at registered accommodation than ever before.
What’s next?
Tourism in the Nordic countries continues to grow, with international visitor numbers rising significantly. In Finland, the total number of visitors increased in 2024, reflecting the country's appeal in new international markets such as the United States. Sweden and Norway have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels, while Denmark has maintained steady growth since 2022. In the coming years, it will be interesting to see how the Nordic countries continue their development and attract new visitors. Reversing the trend of shortening stays is essential, as it is one of the key factors in promoting sustainable tourism.
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