Cross-border traffic breaks new records

Land border between Finland and Russia crossed once every four seconds

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More people will have crossed Finland’s border with Russia this year than ever before. This year is seeing an increase of about ten per cent, breaking the previous record, which was set in 2008.
      Before the end of the year, it is estimated that about 8 million people will have crossed the Finnish-Russian border, which means an average of one person crossing every four seconds.
     
Two thirds are Russian citizens. Traffic has increased especially at the Nuijamaa crossing near Lappeenranta, as well as the Imatra crossing, both of which are popular among Russians taking shopping trips to Finland.
      “Nuijamaa and Imatra are places from where Russians make many shopping trips to South Karelia, as well as weekend tourist trips”, says Commander Pasi Kostamovaara of the Southeast Finland Border Guard.
      Tax-free sales in shops in Lappeenranta and Imatra to non-EU visitors have grown by one quarter this year. Buyers are attracted by better quality of goods on the Finnish side, as well as occasional lower prices.
     
It is not only in Finland that Russian tourism is on the increase. Arto Asikainen, regional head of the Finnish Tourist Board, says that Russian holiday travel to other countries increased by about 40 per cent last summer compared with the same time the previous year.
      Border traffic has also been boosted by an easing of Russia’s customs regulations. Previously Russian travellers have been allowed to bring no more than 35 kg. of goods worth up to about EUR 1,500 in one month from trips abroad for their personal use. The total weight rose last year to 50 kg. and the time limit was dropped.
      “There have been observations of people who might be crossing the border a couple of times a day”, says Leo Talvala of the Nuijamaa customs.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finland continues to attract Russian tourists, but next year looks bleaker on the incoming front (15.12.2008)
  Immigration and tourism from Russia boost economy and population of Eastern Finland (15.3.2005)

See also:
  Proximity of St. Petersburg attracts flights to Lappeenranta (15.2.2010)

Helsingin Sanomat