Visit Finland to Host 16 Singles for Culinary Trips in February

Finland Launches 'Dinner Date' Campaign

Visit Finland, the country's national tourism board, has initiated its "Finnish Dinner Date" campaign, extending an invitation to 16 international singles for an all-expenses-paid four-day trip in February 2027. This distinctive initiative aims to promote Finland as a premier destination by offering unique culinary and cultural immersion.

Eight of the chosen winners will journey to Helsinki, the nation's capital, while the remaining eight will explore Tampere, a significant city within Finland's picturesque Lakeland region. The tourism board has clarified that winners will not have the option to select their specific destination.

This campaign is consistent with Visit Finland's history of successful promotional ventures designed to attract global visitors to the Nordic nation.

Contest Entry and Deadline

Prospective participants, who must be aged 18 or older, are required to create and submit an English-language video by 10 November 2026. The video should answer the question, "What would you serve on a dinner date, and why?", featuring original footage and audio of the applicant.

Submissions must be posted on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube using the hashtag #FinnishDinnerDate and tagging Visit Finland's official social media accounts. After posting, contestants must complete an official online application form, including a link to their video. A panel of judges will assess submissions based on creativity, authenticity, and personal answers. Submissions close at 11:59 AM Finnish time on 10 November 2026.

Curated Itinerary and Culinary Experiences

The four-day trips are scheduled to occur between 9 and 19 February 2027, with each group experiencing a curated itinerary of culinary and cultural activities. These include outdoor pursuits, traditional saunas, and sightseeing. A central event for the 16 international travellers will be a group dinner, where they will be joined by two local Finnish singles.

Esteemed Finnish chefs will prepare tasting menus for these dinners: Adele Kinnunen, known for her appearance on Finland’s MasterChef Professionals (2023), will helm the Helsinki dinner, while Henry Tikkanen, crowned Finnish Chef of the Year in 2001, will lead the culinary experience in Tampere. Visit Finland plans to announce the 16 winners on 1 December 2026.

Broader Marketing Strategy and Asian Relevance

The "Finnish Dinner Date" campaign is the latest in Visit Finland's strategy of offering free trips to promote the country, which has consistently ranked highly in the World Happiness Report. Previous initiatives included the "Masterclass of Happiness" in 2023, the "Helsinki Happiness Hacks" in 2024, "Chill Like a Finn" in March 2026, and "Have Some Finnish" in May 2026.

For Asian travellers, the deadline for video submissions is 5:59 PM Singapore time on 10 November 2026, providing a clear cutoff for those in the region wishing to participate in this unique culinary and cultural exchange. This direct time reference highlights the campaign's global reach, including its accessibility to the Asian market.