Last year, 2017, was a exceptional year for tourism in Helsinki. The year was the busiest ever for airline traffic flying in and out of Helsinki Airport, and record-breaking numbers have also been released for overnight stays in the city itself. The purpose of this article is to present a closer analysis of the travel statistics for 2017, and we will also cast an eye on the first half of the present year. The statistical examination will also be connected to the topical debate about how to approach the constant growth of global tourism, and sustainable tourism in particular.

Cultural participation in Helsinki is a little studied topic.

Survey responses of young people from 10 countries portray Helsinki as a city with a great natural environment and as a safe city and an unusual destination. Although evaluated as a relatively interesting destination for young people, Helsinki lags slightly behind other Nordic capitals.

From consumption to co-production; from large-scale to small-scale; from café culture to street food; from 'looking up to Berlin' to leading the way? During the past couple of decades, urban culture in Helsinki has developed on an unprecedented scale.