The Calpe delegation present at the Helsinki Fair, the main tourist fair in Northern Europe, has surprised by making its presentation in Suomi (Finnish) with Artificial Intelligence technology. This innovative initiative, which allowed the councillor to address the attendees in their mother tongue, was enthusiastically received by the Finnish public present at the event.
The combination of cutting-edge technology and cultural proximity has made the difference in the promotional strategy of the Alicante municipality, which has also launched an original gastronomic proposal: the first Finnish tourist who visits the tourist office of Calpe during 2025 and accredits his nationality and has attended the MATKA fair, will be invited to taste an authentic local paella.
During the presentation, supported by Turespaña and the Costa Blanca Tourist Board, Calpe has been positioned as an ideal destination to escape the harsh Nordic winter, highlighting the direct connections with Alicante and its more than 300 days of sunshine a year as well as an average temperature that allows outdoor activities to be enjoyed practically all year round.
‘The decision to use AI to communicate in Finnish demonstrates our commitment to reach out to visitors in the most personal way possible. We want Finns to feel at home from the very first moment,’ explained Marco Bittner.
The presentation placed special emphasis on the outdoor sports on offer, the rich Mediterranean gastronomy and the local hospitality, aspects that are particularly valued by the Nordic market. This participation in MATKA, enhanced by the innovative use of technology, is part of Calpe's strategy to strengthen its presence in the Nordic market, traditionally interested in destinations that combine good weather, outdoor activities and authentic cultural experiences.
This technological initiative marks a before and after in the promotion of international tourism of Calpe, demonstrating how technology can break down language barriers and create closer connections with potential visitors.