Rovaniemi's Tourism Surge Raises Housing Concerns

The Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland and the self-proclaimed 'official hometown of Santa Claus,' is experiencing a surge in tourism, drawing over 600,000 visitors annually, especially during the holiday season. This influx has resulted in over-tourism, with visitor numbers exceeding the town's population by more than tenfold, leading to housing challenges, increased rental prices, and displacement of long-term residents. Despite economic benefits for hotel and restaurant owners, and some locals profiting from short-term rentals, there are growing concerns among residents, such as photographer Antti Pakkanen, about the rapid, uncontrolled growth of tourism. The city has added 13 new flight routes to meet demand, but critics are calling for stricter regulation to balance economic gains with community well-being. Similar to other European destinations facing over-tourism, Rovaniemi's popularity seems set to increase, with no immediate changes expected to curb the current trends.