The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Fancy a winter in the land of the Northern Lights?

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Friday, Sep 12, 2008
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Fancy a winter in the land of the Northern Lights?

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: The Finnish Department of Tourism is on a road trip around the country to promote the land of the spectacular Northern Lights, reindeers, huskies and Santa Claus as a new destination for Indian travellers.

“Visit Finland”, the Finnish tourism board, stopped by Bangalore on Thursday, their first time here, to create awareness about their unique country.

Their stopover at Bangalore was part of a multi-city tour which includes Mumbai, Pune, Chandigarh and Delhi, said Papori Bharati, Marketing Manager of the Finnish Tourism Board-India.

Distinct

Lapland, the Finnish province, legendary for the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights and its natural environment is fast growing as a destination for tourists who are looking for adventure, said Jari Virtanen, sales manager of Lapland Hotels and Safaris. “Every season here is so distinct and the place transforms every few months — from bracing winters to round-the-clock daylight in summers. This always fascinates travellers.”

“Finland has registered a whopping 37 per cent increase in the number of overnights as compared to last year for the period between January and June. Finland is now firmly established as the fastest emerging destination for the discerning tourist looking for space, fresh air and adventure activities,” said Ms. Bharati.

“Visit Finland” also unveiled a new, minimalist, logo which takes its inspiration from Finnish nature, with “references to the rocky shores of the Finnish archipelago, the midnight sun, the Northern Lights and the movement of water.”

Representatives of Finnair, which introduced flights between New Delhi and Mumbai to Helsinki a couple of years ago, were also present at the event.

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