India is one of those countries where almost every tourism statistic becomes enormous very quickly. The population is enormous, the domestic tourism market is enormous and the potential for international travel is enormous. Yet perhaps the most interesting thing I took away from the ITB India Leadership Roundtable in Mumbai was that the numbers alone tell us surprisingly little about the opportunity. I had the opportunity to participate in the roundtable during ITB India 2026, discussing India’s changing position in global tourism from both sides of the equation. India is becoming an increasingly important outbound market for destinations around the world, while at the same time the country itself continues to work on converting its extraordinary tourism assets into stronger international inbound demand. These are two very different stories, but they are happening at the same time. A tourism giant that still has enormous room to grow The scale of domestic travel in India is difficu...

Big news for Oulu and Northern Finland! Starting 29 March 2026 , Latvian airline airBaltic will launch direct scheduled flights between Oulu and Riga . This new connection will operate five times a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays) and marks a major step in strengthening Oulu’s international accessibility, just in time for the European Capital of Culture year 2026 . Why this route matters For Oulu, the new connection is more than just a flight – it’s about bringing the world closer.  “AirBaltic’s new connection strengthens the international accessibility of Oulu and the whole of Northern Finland at exactly the right time, bringing visitors to enjoy the cultural year’s offerings. Our clear goal is to establish the connection also for the coming years.” From Oulu, you can now catch an early morning flight at 04:55 , arrive in Riga by 06:30 , and continue the same day to major European cities like Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Berlin, Munich, Zurich, Vi...

Lapland has long been synonymous with winter wonderland experiences—Northern Lights, husky safaris, and Santa Claus tourism. However, while this winter-centric image has helped draw hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, it also presents a challenge: how can Lapland create compelling tourism offerings that sustain its economy year-round ? Airline connectivity plays a crucial role in the solution, particularly with new routes like Lufthansa’s flights to Oulu, which could open doors to wider international access to Northern Finland. A key factor in Lapland’s winter tourism success has been direct, convenient air connections from major European hubs. However, to turn these seasonal peaks into year-round tourism, Lapland needs to position itself as a summer destination as well. Adventure and nature tourism, such as hiking, mountain biking, and wilderness retreats, offer an unique opportunity for that. As travelers increasingly seek eco-friendly and wellness-based vacations, Lapland’s...