Jingle Hell: Overtourism Frustrates Locals At Finland’s Santa Claus Village
Huff PostLOADING ERROR LOADING ROVANIEMI, Finland — Shuffling across icy ground on a cold December afternoon, lots of tourist groups poured into Santa Claus Village, a winter-themed amusement park perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle. They frolic in the snow, take a reindeer sleigh ride, sip a cocktail in an ice bar or even meet Saint Nick himself in the capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi, which happily calls itself the “official hometown of Santa Claus.” The Santa Claus Village theme park, which attracts more than 600,000 people annually, is especially popular during the holiday season. “I’m really excited to be here.” Tourists gathered at Santa Claus Village, a winter-themed amusement park perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle, in Rovaniemi, Finland. Local critics of mass tourism say many apartment buildings in Rovaniemi’s city center are also used for accommodation services during peak season and are thus no longer available for residential use.
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Dreaming of a white Christmas? Travel to the magical Santa Claus village in Finland
Hindustan Times
Santa Claus village faces threat of overtourism
The IndependentAs tourists discover Finland’s Santa Claus Village, some locals call for rules to control the masses
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