From yesterday until Sunday, Calpe will be present for the first time at Matka Nordic Travel Fair, the most important tourism fair in Helsinki and the most important in the Scandinavian market. Calpe is taking part in the fair at the Tourespaña stand.
A delegation made up of the councillors for Tourism Planning, Mireia Ripoll, and International Promotion, Marco Bittner, and the tourism technician Sandra Pastor, have travelled to Helsinki. The Matka Nordic Travel Fair is the most influential fair in Northern Europe and the Baltic countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia (Russia is not participating due to the conflict with Ukraine). According to statistics, Finland is the country with the highest per capita travel in Europe.
This year 2024, Spain is participating as a partner country in what is considered to be the largest Nordic tourism fair, as it brings together 50,000 visitors and 850 exhibitors from 70 countries. Calpe is participating in the Costa Blanca Tourist Board's space through Turespaña.
Spain's focus at MATKA revolves around responsible travel experiences, gastronomy and active tourism. The harsh climate of the winters, together with the Nordic tourist's environmental awareness and disposition, makes it an ideal target for the seasonal offer Calpe has to offer.
The councillor for International Promotion, Marco Bittner, points out that: "Calpe's undisputed prominence must be highlighted through our icon, the Peñón de Ifach, present in the promotional videos of both Tourespaña and the Costa Blanca graphics. With the opening of direct flights from Helsinki to Alicante by Norwegian and Ryanair, the uniqueness of Calpe is highly attractive to the Scandinavian market, not only because of the climate, but also because of the commitment made by the council to sustainable tourism (Calpe Sustainable Tourism Plan) for a public that not only flees the inclement weather, but also prefers experiential, family and active travel. The possibility of offering heritage, gastronomy and outdoor sports outside the summer season makes Calpe a first class player in this fair".