Finland took part in an extensive study last spring to ascertain mental images associated with different countries.
Unfortunately, results show that it ranks just above Iran as a welcoming destination for inquisitive foreigners.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Petri Tuomi-Nikula, has remarked that much could be done to improve Finland's image abroad, but doesn't have any solid answers.
"We live in a country of permafrost and stunted trees, where half the year we're in darkness and every once in awhile some student starting the school year goes on a gun rampage. What do you want me to do?"
However there is one shining light. According to tourism officials, an influx of 70,000 tourists from India is expected in the following year.
"We sort of lucked out. One of our representatives, Harvey Singh, has quite an extended family outside of Bombay. I think he's encouraged a lot of them to come, hoping to use his staff discount," said one tourism official.
When contacted at his residence in India, Mr. Bhopal Gupta, a distant cousin of Mr. Singh's and one of those who has elected to make the journey next spring, summed up his feelings with the following statement:
"Finland, Finland, Finland, the country I most want to be. Your treetops so lofty, your mountains so tall. Finland, Finland, Finland. Finland's got it all."
Finland is still a 'go to' destination amongst Russians and Swedes.
