Finnish travel to the USA fell sharply this summer, with official USA data indicating a 13% decline in June and 10% in July compared to 2024, while experts point to a mix of political and economic factors behind the shift. Some Finns are redirecting trips to Nordic and Baltic destinations, according to analysts and mobile roaming indicators.
Official figures show a clear summer decline
Latest arrival statistics from the USA National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) suggest fewer Finnish leisure visitors in early summer 2025 than a year earlier. The dip follows a broader softening in overseas travel to the United States observed through the first half of the year. Spain also saw fewer Finnish visitors over the same period, underscoring a wider recalibration of summer choices.
Finnish travel to the US: politics versus prices
Antti Honkanen, docent at the University of Turku (Turun yliopisto), told Yle that motivations are likely mixed: potential boycott sentiment toward the Trump administration, coupled with household budget pressures. “In the early part of the year, there was a clear decline in leisure travel by Finns to the USA,” he said.
“It is worth asking to what extent the change is due to a boycott… and to what extent it reflects Finland’s uncertain employment and economic situation.” The assessment captures a trend in which politics and prices jointly shape long‑haul decisions.
Nordic and Baltic trips gain ground
Analysts note a relative shift toward shorter, regional travel around the Baltic Sea, with Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and Poland among the apparent winners. Proximity, familiar transport links and the ability to plan short‑notice, lower‑cost itineraries make these destinations attractive alternatives to transatlantic holidays.
Costs, connectivity and convenience
Price sensitivity remains high. Consumer confidence in Finland has been subdued in recent months, weighing on discretionary spending. At the same time, practical considerations—such as seamless EU/EEA roaming and extensive ferry and rail networks—lower the friction of nearby travel.
Technical changes in foreign mobile networks (including the shutdown of legacy 2G/3G in the United States) also nudge travellers to check device compatibility for long‑haul trips, adding another small hurdle to plans.
Economic headwinds temper demand
Recent forecasts from Finnish institutions point to modest growth and weak labour‑market conditions in 2025. While inflation has cooled, households remain cautious. This backdrop helps explain why long‑haul leisure—which typically involves higher upfront costs and longer lead times—has been the first to be trimmed when uncertainty rises.
