Qingdao Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit 2018 Exclusive Interview: Helsinki to Be the Most Functional City in the World

Helsinki joined WTCF in 2014 and the membership has already proven to be very valuable. It has been a significant channel especially for opening new significant opportunities for cooperation and enabling new business contacts.

Release time : 2018-10-09 13:43:28

source : World Tourism Cities Magazine

Helsinki joined WTCF in 2014 and the membership has already proven to be very valuable. It has been a significant channel especially for opening new significant opportunities for cooperation and enabling new business contacts. In the near future, Helsinki is also keen on sharing ideas of connecting functional cities and this is something we could further develop together with WTCF associates.

Helsinki, A City of Ice and Fire

Explore this functional city like a local

Helsinki’s strategic goal is to be the most functional city in the world. I believe that functionality is also an essential part of the travelers’ experience. It is important that moving around the city is smooth and services are easily accessible, also digitally.

Helsinki is authentic and the city has a certain edge. It has its rugged side and it feels vibrant. Helsinki is also a city of contrasts: a perfect combination of clean nature and vivid city culture, a city that straddles East and West. Travellers can find everything from peaceful islands to cutting-edge restaurants and lively pop-up events.

We strongly believe that visitors are interested in the same things as the locals are. They should explore the city like a local: use the city bikes to wonder around, take a dip in the cold sea after a hot sauna or take the subway to go blueberry picking in the nearest forest. They should bravely try out the seasonal food and drink the best water in the world, directly from the tap. I believe this is the way to get the best experience as a visitor. It’s also the key to a positive and often long-term relationship between the city and its visitors.

A pragmatic and trustworthy host

Helsinki has a unique, recognizable style and atmosphere that Helsinkians are proud of. We don’t want to be overly polished. We invite the visitors to be temporary locals. We want Helsinki to be the most attractive city for people and companies that are working towards a better world.

At the same

time, we want to make daily life increasingly smooth, comfortable and fun. Helsinki’s reputation is built by Helsinkians - by us. We have the passion to solve meaningful problems and create the world’s most advanced everyday life.

A good example of city image improvement happened just in July, when the President of the United States and Russian President had a meeting in Helsinki. I don´t think there actually are many cities, which can host an event of this scale in a matter of weeks. The decision to hold the meeting in Helsinki speaks in favor that we have a reputation as a pragmatic and trustworthy host.

Anyway, Helsinki is still quite unknown globally and we have a lot of work to do to raise the awareness. I believe that we are already doing the right things as international rankings already speak for Helsinki. In terms of its quality of life, Helsinki is ranked as one of the world’s best places to live. Helsinki is one of the cleanest capital cities in the world and Helsinki Region is one of the best places to attract international investors.

Transportation connections are very essential

The importance of cities continues to grow, especially within the tourism industry. In addition, the world of tourism has transformed rapidly. Not only have the numbers of tourists, destinations, connections and attractions grown, but also the ways we travel and what we want to experience when we are visiting new places have changed.

Today, people choose their travel destinations more and more based on which city - not country - they want to visit. Short urban breaks are increasingly popular, and people are willing to travel far just so see their favorite museum or to attend an interesting event.

There is no doubt that cooperation between cities is important. It is all about sharing, inspiring and connecting. We have a lot to learn from each other. In Helsinki, we strongly believe in collaboration. Helsinki is already an active

member of several global networks in tourism such as WTCF and European Cities Marketing. We are also organizing a global digital tourism marketing event, #DTTT Global in November 2018. It brings dozens of DMO representatives to Helsinki to discuss about the latest digital turns in tourism marketing.

Transportation connections are very essential when it comes to functional travelling between cities. It is something that should be further developed within international collaboration.

Helsinki’s location at the edge of Europe is excellent as we are able to provide the fastest flight road to and from Asia. Our national airline Finnair offers many flights Asian cities, giving Helsinki a big advantage over other European cities. In addition, the Port of Helsinki became the busiest passenger port in Europe and possibly in the whole world last year, serving an impressive 12.3 million passengers.

See you in Helsinki in 2019

The WTCF brings together cities and companies that are ambitious in developing their tourism sector. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to join WTCF events yet, but I’ve heard great things about the previous meetings. I’m looking forward the upcoming WTCF summit in Helsinki in 2019. The Federation helps us learn from best practices of others and share our own ideas of how to develop the industry globally.