HELSINKI IS increasing its promotional activity as it markets itself as a premier European city-break location for 2006. Having been named Best Destination in Scandinavia at last year's ITB trade show in Berlin, the Finnish capital has launched a two-pronged strategy to promote Helsinki as a year-round tourist spot. A Hot Helsinki Team has been created at the Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau, charged with the task of building on the 800,000 foreign visitors that come to the city during the winter months. The bureau has also launched a Nordic Oddity campaign, which intends to attract more young adults to the capital. The British market has become a focal point for Helsinki's tourism bosses as the UK accounts for more overnight stays than any other nation - 160,000 Brits stayed in Helsinki in 2004. "Our British visitors come to Helsinki not only because it is a design-led, metropolitan coastal city, but because we are a gateway between east and west," said Kari Halonen, marketing director at the Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau. These credentials have also been pivotal in helping Helsinki secure the right to host the City Breaks 2006 show. The event brings regional and city tourist boards together with suppliers and takes place from June 12 to 14.