Matka Travel Fair 16th to 19th of January 2025

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Matka Travel Fair will take place from 16 to 19 January 2025 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. Thursday 16 January is the Professional’s Day.

Matka Travel Fair is Northern Europe’s largest travel and tourism event, where thousands of international professionals and exhibitors from nearly 70 countries meet.

During the event, the latest press releases and other up-to-date information are updated in the Matka Travel Fair 2025 press kit.

MATKA TRAVEL FAIR AT THE HELSINKI EXPO AND CONVENTION CENTRE FROM 16 TO 19 JANUARY 2025

Event opening hours: Thu 9-18, Fri 10–19, Sat-Sun 10–18    

Press Centre opening hours: Thu 8.15–18, Fri 9.30–19, Sat-Sun 9.30–18    

MATKA TRAVEL FAIR 2025 IN NUMBERS

2025 will feature 850 exhibitors.

Matka Travel Fair 2025 will be located in Halls 6 and 7.

Matka Travel Fair will have a total of 6 stages and zones, with more than a hundred speeches and presentations.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT AND PROGRAMME

• Destinations Breakfast
  Thursday 16 January, from 8:30–9:45, at restaurant Pihka & Bar (formerly the Panorama Restaurant, now renewed). The entrance is located near the lower level of the main grand staircase in Hall 6 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
  This exclusive event is designed to help media representatives and influencers quickly identify key updates, new products, and the right contacts for interviews or potential collaborations. You can meet representatives of Finnish and foreign travel agencies and regional organisations. It allows you to schedule meetings with key contacts at the stands before the fair starts. The event is for journalists and influencers, and does not require pre-registration.  
• Matkatieto seminars hosted by the Finnish Travel Industry Association
  Matkatieto seminars hosted by the Finnish Travel Industry Association on Thursday and Friday at the Matkatieto Stage at hall 6, offer the following expert insights in English:
  • Making the world of travel accessible: the path forward 
    Thursday 16^th of January at 9.30 Exploring the latest developments in accessible travel, this panel discussion will address current and upcoming regulations and the collaborative efforts of stakeholders to advance accessibility across the travel industry. In cooperation with INCLAVI project. The panellists are Hilal Kahraman, iGA Istanbul Airport, Linda Ristagno, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Emiliano Deferrari, European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), and Sanna Kalmari, Palmuasema.  
  • Managing travel flows – where’s the problem?  
    Thursday 16^th of January at 12.15 Overcrowding, seasonal congestion, and local protests are rising issues in popular destinations. This panel will examine the causes – urban planning, industry practices, or decision-making gaps – and propose solutions to mitigate these challenges.  The panel will be moderated by Frank Oostdam, President of the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association (ECTAA). The panellists are Jukka Punamäki, Senior Advisor, Tourism and destination management unit, City of Helsinki, Vedran Sušić, Director, Croatian National Tourist Board, and Julio Jiménez, Counselor for Tourism Affairs, Embassy of Spain to Finland, Managing Director, Spanish Tourist Office in Helsinki.  
  • The power of data: why business travel reporting is a must 
    Thursday 16^th of January at 15.10 Effective reporting is critical to uncovering opportunities, overcoming challenges, and driving success. This seminar will explore how robust reporting enhances cost control, risk management, traveller satisfaction, and sustainability. The speaker is Juan Antonio Iglesias, Director of Consulting, EMEA at FCM Consulting.  
  • Light in the Dark – flattening the seasonality curve in coastal nature-based tourism around the Baltic Sea  
    Friday 17^th of January at 13.00 The Light in the Dark project brings tourism entrepreneurs and destinations from five coastal regions around the Baltic Sea together to tackle seasonality. A unified concept showcases the area’s quiet charm and authentic offerings for Baltic Sea markets, focusing on unique experience categories.  
• Helsinki – the most sustainable travel destination in the world 
  Thursday 16^th of January at 14.30, Traveller Stage Helsinki took the first position in the prestigious Global Destination Sustainability –index in October 2024. The index measures sustainability of travel destinations in four different categories using 77 indicators. The speaker is Jukka Punamäki, Senior Advisor, City of Helsinki.  
• Humanising hospitality with technology and AI 
  Thursday 16^th January at 15.00, Traveller Stage Discover how independent hotels are using technology and AI to enhance guest experiences and foster deeper connections. This session showcases real-world examples of how innovative tech solutions are transforming the guest journey while boosting loyalty and business growth. The speaker is Riikka Keppola, Mid-Market Director, Mews.  

Press Releases

Up-to-date press releases and information of Matka Travel Fair.

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Image Bank

Image Bank provides pictures to use. Please note the terms of use.

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Web Page

Find out more about Matka Travel Fair 2025 programme, the companies involved and read more.

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