The Caravan fair at the Helsinki Fair Centre on 17-20 January 2008 will present the latest caravans and camping cars. Visitors can decide what vehicle to buy for next summer or find out about renting one. The Caravan fair will be an even more integral part of the Nordic Travel Fair Matka this year: visitors who are interested in caravanning can also get ideas on where to go during their holidays.

The event has been renewed in many ways and will now serve visitors who are just getting started or are thinking about buying a caravan or camping car better than before. Visitors can also obtain lots of useful information to help them enjoy their hobby and explore new routes.

"The threshold for trying caravanning may be fairly high for many people, and there are lots of misconceptions about it. At the Caravan fair visitors can find a new hobby and get new perspectives on this flexible form of travel. Visitors can also ask the experts at the Caravan stage all kinds of questions," says Sales Manager Anita Mäkelä.

Kicking off the new year

Sales of caravans and camping cars in Finland levelled off last year, after growing for more than a decade. A total of 3,661 caravans and camping cars were registered in 2007. The Caravan fair is a good way to kick off the new year since it is held together with the Nordic Travel Fair Matka and thus reaches a large number of entirely new potential customers.

Fair encourages independent travel

Caravan 2008 will be part of the new Active Holidays area at the Nordic Travel Fair Matka, which will include a variety of attractions and lots of programme. The Golf Destinations section, with its SunGolf putting area, will present golf resorts in different countries. At the Travel Kitchen food will be prepared under the direction of celebrity chef Aki Wahlman, and at the Caravan stage visitors can hear timely briefings arranged by the Caravanners Association. At the Nordic Travel Fair Matka's main stage, which will also be located in this area, visitors can follow the opening ceremonies, special programme built around independent travel on Traveller Day, and colourful presentations from around the world.

All the most popular brands will be represented at the Caravan fair, including Adria, Bürstner, Cabby, Carthago, Dethleffs, Fendt, Hobby, Hymer, Itineo, Kabe, Kentucky, Knauss, LMC, McLouis, Mercedes-Benz, Miller, Mobilvetta, Niessmann, Pössl, Rapido, Tabbert, Travel Master, Westfalia and Wilk. Equipment, camping sites and services in the field will also be on display.

New opening hours

This year the first day of the Caravan fair has been moved up to Thursday, when the doors will be open to professionals and VIP guests invited by exhibitors. On Friday the fair will be open to the general public from 10am to 8pm.

Nordic Travel Fair Matka and Caravan 2008 - the biggest travel event in the Nordic and Baltic region

The Nordic Travel Fair Matka and the Caravan fair, which will take place at the Helsinki Fair Centre on 17-20 January 2008, are the biggest travel event in the Nordic and Baltic region. The theme this year is individuality. Over 1,100 exhibitors will be on hand from 76 countries in addition to Finland. In 2007 the Matka and Caravan fairs attracted nearly 86,000 visitors, of whom 17,000 were travel professionals and about 2,200 were from abroad. Opening hours: Thu 17 Jan 9am-7pm (professionals only), Fri 18 Jan 10am-8pm, Sat 19 Jan 10am-7pm, Sun 20 Jan 10am-6pm.

source: Finnish Fair Corporation