Summer tourism in Syöte, Pudasjärvi on the rise

The summer of 2025 was a strong one for the Syöte tourism center in Pudasjärvi: tourism increased among both domestic and international visitors. Particularly encouraging was the strong growth in business travel – more and more Finnish companies have discovered Syöte as a destination for meetings and recreation.

The summer season of 2025 at the Syöte tourism center in Pudasjärvi was record-breaking. Between June and August, there were 37,400 paid overnight stays, representing an increase of nearly 11 percent compared to last year. At the same time, accommodation sales during the summer months rose to €1.7 million (+13%).

Growth was driven especially by domestic tourism, where overnight stays increased by 11 percent. The number of international visitors was also on the rise, with particularly strong growth from certain countries: overnight stays from Switzerland nearly doubled, while Estonia showed growth of over 500 percent.

“The summer season in Syöte exceeded expectations. The nearly 11 percent increase in overnight stays shows that Syöte is attracting more and more domestic as well as international visitors. It’s wonderful to see that tourist numbers from Switzerland and Estonia rose exceptionally strongly. Seasonal fluctuations in visitor numbers are gradually narrowing,” says Ulla Anttila from Syöte Tourism Association.

Business travel, MICE, is growing

Particularly strong growth was seen in domestic business travel (MICE): overnight stays by business travelers rose by 57 percent, totaling 4,500. Leisure travelers still made up the majority, but the importance of corporate clients in Syöte’s tourism is growing.

“The growth in business travel is a significant achievement. Most of the customers attending meetings and recreation days come from the Oulu region and nearby areas. This strengthens Syöte’s position as an important meeting and workplace well-being destination in Northern Finland. We are also continuously working to increase the number of international conference groups,” says Veinalotta Terentjeff, CEO of KIDE Hotel.

Investments driving growth

Several major and smaller investments are currently underway in Syöte, boosting the area’s appeal. A new chairlift, opened at the end of August, strengthens Syöte’s position as a year-round destination. The expansion of Hotel Iso-Syöte will be completed in autumn 2026, with a new wing adding 23 rooms to the hotel’s capacity. Hotel Pikku-Syöte is also undergoing renovations in preparation for the coming winter season.

Tourism brings well-being to the entire region

The strong growth in Syöte further strengthens its position as one of Finland’s most significant tourism centers and supports the area’s long-term development. For the city of Pudasjärvi, tourism has major multiplier effects: increasing tourism revenues are reflected in tax income, job creation, and new taxpayers as employees move to the area. Local businesses and residents also benefit as services diversify and the vitality of the region grows. Whenever possible, subcontracting for investments is carried out by local companies.

“The growth of tourism in Syöte is visible in our everyday business: more jobs are created, services can be developed further, and it’s easier to look to the future with confidence. Tourism brings vitality to the entire region, and everyone benefits from it,” says Juha Kuukasjärvi, entrepreneur at Hotel Iso-Syöte.