Report: Moving school summer holidays would increase tourism income by EUR 219 million in the summer months

Moving Finnish school summer holidays so that they would start and end two weeks later than at present would increase tourism income and employment. Tourism income is estimated to grow a total of EUR 219 million in June, July and August. The tourism industry would also need to increase their workforce by 1,300 man-years. Income from tourism would grow by 2.5% annually and by 9.3% during the summer months, and personnel numbers by 1.6%. Moving Finnish school summer holidays so that they would start and end two weeks later than at present would increase tourism income and employment. Tourism income is estimated to grow a total of EUR 219 million in June, July and August.

The tourism industry would also need to increase their workforce by 1,300 man-years. Income from tourism would grow by 2.5% annually and by 9.3% during the summer months, and personnel numbers by 1.6%.

These estimates are given in a report by WSP Finland Oy regarding the impacts of moving school summer holidays on the tourism industry. The report was commissioned by Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä in January, and it was published during a Visit Finland Seminar in Helsinki on 3 May 2018. It is part of the Tourism 4.0 action programme, adopted in the Government's mid-term policy review session in spring 2017.

“Based on the report, it is easy to conclude that we should further promote the initiative to move the summer holidays in order to increase the competitiveness of the Finnish tourism industry. Moving the holidays would have positive impacts on tourism income and employment as well as on the general development of operating conditions for the tourism industry,” Minister Lintilä says.

“Moving school summer holidays would especially spur growth in domestic tourism. While foreign tourism has been booming in recent years, domestic tourism has been falling behind. Moving the holidays would extend the domestic summer holiday season, which would increase the supply of services even for foreign tourists,” Lintilä continues.

The report indicates that tourism income and employment would grow in all summer months and especially in August. August would become a busier month for tourism, overtaking July in terms of income from tourism. It is estimated that the restaurant sector would benefit the most from the moving of holidays. Its annual tourism income is expected to increase by 3.2%. In August, income from tourism is expected to grow the most in the accommodation sector. During the summer months, staff numbers are expected to grow the most in the accommodation and passenger transport sectors.

“The tourism industry is a labour-intensive sector, and its growth would mean more balanced employment trends across the country. Tourism growth and improved services would create jobs even in areas where employment prospects otherwise are relatively poor. I am hoping for broad public discussion of the report results. We will get back to the initiative in the next government formation talks, if not earlier,” Lintilä said.

The report analysis is based on questionnaires to the Finnish tourism industry, interviews with experts, tourism statistics and information about tourism trends. This is very likely to first time the impacts of moving school summer holidays are surveyed with regard to the tourism industry or economy and employment in general.

The moving of Finnish school summer holidays means that they would start and end two weeks later than at present. They would start on the last weekday of week 24 (which this year falls on 15 June), instead of the last weekday of week 22 (this year 1 June), and end in the end of August.

Inquiries:

Susanna Harvio, Development Manager, WSP Finland Oy, tel. +358 207 864701
Sanna Kyyrä, Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 358 9497
Jannika Ranta, Special Adviser to the Minister of the Economy, tel. +358 50 340 2250