Kari Halonen
A record number of people traveled by long-distance train in Finland
Long-distance trains operated by VR (VR Group, Finnish Railways) saw a record 1.5 million journeys made in October. It is the highest monthly number of trips ever. The autumn holiday boosted train travel, but it does not alone explain the growth. According to VR, the popularity of train travel is continuously rising, and the number…
The Chinese Outbound Travel Market — Current Analysis (November 2025)
China’s outbound tourism market is re-emerging strongly after the pandemic, but the path back to 2019 volumes and patterns has been uneven. This article summarises why recovery took longer than many expected, the main trends shaping Chinese outbound travel today, the key departure areas feeding Europe, typical customer segments, and implications for destination marketers. Sources…
Marketing Checklist for Attracting Chinese Travellers (2025)
Practical Guide for Destinations & Tourism Businesses 1. Visa & Entry Facilitation Simplify the travel process as much as possible: Offer visa-free entry or e-visa / fast-track processing where possible. Provide clear Chinese-language instructions for visa applications. Partner with Chinese tour operators to support group visa facilitation. Promote multi-entry visa options for repeat visitors. Publicize…
Irish outbound travel — analysis (November 2025)
Executive summary Irish residents are an active outbound travel market. In 2024 Irish households took roughly 13.7 million outbound overnight trips (81.2 million outbound bed-nights), and outbound travel continued to rise into 2025. Air travel is the dominant mode for overseas trips; Ireland’s low-cost carrier Ryanair together with Aer Lingus and increasing capacity at Dublin…
Italian Outbound Tourism in Europe: Trends and Insights from TTG Travel Experience 2025
Italian Outbound Tourism in Europe: Trends and Insights from TTG Travel Experience 2025 Italian outbound tourism continues to show strength and resilience across Europe, with travelers increasingly seeking authentic experiences, regional diversity, and sustainable travel options. Italy remains one of Europe’s most dynamic outbound markets, driven by a combination of high travel demand, strong regional…