28,000 Finnish tourists visited the UAE in 2025

The UAE Ambassador to Finland and Estonia, Amna Fikri, told Emarat Al Youm that the launch of Emirates’ direct air route between the UAE and Finland would enhance opportunities for economic and investment cooperation between the two countries. The new route comes amid ongoing negotiations between the UAE and the European Union on a free trade agreement. Fikri noted that approximately 28,000 Finnish tourists visited the UAE in 2025, compared with around 854 Emirati tourists who visited Finland.

During a media briefing organized by Emirates, Fikri said that “relations between the UAE and the European Union are going through an important phase,” noting that negotiations on the free trade agreement began in May 2025 and have involved intensive rounds of talks.

She added that signing the agreement would open new markets and create numerous opportunities for companies and investors—not only from the UAE, but also from Europe, including Finland.

Fikri explained that the UAE and Finland already have areas of cooperation in fields including artificial intelligence, advanced technology, and renewable energy. She expects the direct air route to contribute to an increase in mutual visits and discussions between the two sides, supporting the announcement of new projects and agreements in the coming period.

And about tourism, Fikri said that approximately 28,000 Finnish tourists visited the UAE last year, compared with around 854 Emirati tourists who visited Finland. She noted that the direct route would give Emiratis greater opportunities to discover Finland throughout the different seasons of the year, rather than only during the winter.
She said that “interest in Finland also extends to the education sector,” with growing interest from the UAE in sending students to study there. She expects the number of Emirati students in Finland to increase in the coming period.

Fikri emphasized that Finland is known for its high levels of safety, as well as the welcoming and cooperative nature of its people.
She noted that the UAE, in turn, is a preferred tourist destination for Finns, particularly during the winter, as it offers warmth and sunshine while also serving as a gateway to other destinations in Asia and Africa.

Fikri stressed that cooperation between the two countries is not limited to tourism and the economy, but extends to advanced technology, data centers, quantum computing, renewable energy, clean energy, and hydrogen.

She also highlighted cooperation in the space sector through a strategic partnership between Finnish company ICEYE, which specializes in satellite technology, and UAE-based Space42. She explained that such partnerships go beyond the exchange of services and products to include the sharing of expertise and training, as well as the joint development and construction of satellites.