Santa expects 120,000 visitors
Some 120,000 people are set to visit Lapland in Finland, the mythical home of Santa Claus, this Christmas.
Lapland in Finland is bracing itself for an influx of 120,000 Christmas visitors, according to the local tourism office.
Tourists are expected to come mainly from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia and Japan, with regular flights, chartered trains and around 580 organised tours carrying the travellers to the Arctic Circle.
Britons are expected to account for a quarter of the overnight guests, while Finns are set to make up a third of the market.
Some 50,000 tourists and 249 charter flights are expected this Christmas in the town of Rovaniemi, which claims to be the 'official' home of Father Christmas.
Tuula Rintala Gardin of the Rovaniemi tourism office told AFP that the visitors will be entertained by the area's pristine natural environment, dogsledding tours, the northern lights and Santa's workshops.
Tourism is one of the region's primary income sources, with revenue of €144 million (£103 million) in 2006.
However Rovaniemi faces competition from other areas claiming to be the true home of Santa Claus, including Enontekioe in Finland and other locations in Sweden, Norway and Greenland.
Airport Parking - Pre-book your Airport Parking with Holiday Extras and save up to 60 per cent. We offer over 60 car parks at 27 UK Airports.
Related News Articles
Clocks go back October | Clocks change Autumn 2011 - 26/10/2011
Pull the curtains, grab a blanket and get cosy, on Sunday October 30 2011 it's time to put your clocks back.Summer holiday bargains | Travellers wait to grab last minute deals - 15/08/2011
UK holiday-makers are holding out for last minute travel bargains this summer, and nabbing some great deals.Glasgow Airport Roadworks - 15/08/2011
Allow more time when travelling to and from Glasgow Airport. Roadworks are expected to cause delays until May 5th.
