(CNN) – Santa is sitting safely behind Plexiglas. Elves maintain a safe social distance when wearing surgical masks.
It’s a time of much festive excitement 2020, but with the holiday season just like any other fast-paced holiday, Lapland’s tourism operators believe it’s the best way to save Christmas and save themselves after a brutal year that saw the number of visitors drop from record highs in 2019.
“Christmas is definitely not canceled,” says Sanna Kirkkinen, CEO of Rovaniemi’s official facial home visit to Santa Claus, high from the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland.
“This year will be different than previous years, but I’m sure the tourists who come here will of course enjoy it immensely.”
Krishkinen says industries in the sector have been working hard since preparing for the summer holidays, so they follow the letter’s health and safety protocol.
“Together with the Lapland Hospital District, we have created a covid-safe travel model. It has a large network of tourism providers and destinations here in Lapland and everyone is involved.
“We are very committed to operating that way and of course it is one of our signals to tourists that we are doing everything we can to make tourism safe and secure.”
Striking balance
That’s not what you think. To understand the heart of Rovaniemi, Finland, walk through the city center and into the quiet of the forest, where reindeer rule.
As well as sitting behind Santa Plexiglas and PPE behind his elves. Giving up, Kirk ä Kinen says the lack of large groups and the focus on individual groups means that visitors to Santa’s workshop will find no issues in ensuring social distance.
“In a way a small number helps us develop services to a level where we can integrate and match health measures with all the services we actually provide,” he says.
Domestic tourists are already heading north to see Santa, Krishkin reported, adding that the experience is largely the same as in previous years.
However, Kirkkinen fears that a strict quarantine-free time limit may make some tourists choose to stay away.
“Seventy hours is a fairly short stay for Lapland,” he says. “Usually they are between three and four days. Our aim has always been for people to fully enjoy the area and the place, which means they tend to stay longer, which means trips are more sustainable.”
Despite this, tors parters are tweeting schedules, sled rides, intrusive experiences and the opportunity to see the Northern Lights before returning to the airport in time for tourists to depart quickly.
Alistair McLean, managing director of The Artisan Travel Company, which operates Bespoke Trips in the region, says he is impressed with how Finland is adapting to the situation.
“The Finnish government is working very closely with the tourism representatives of Lapland in particular to strike a balance between controlling the spread and allowing their vital tourism industry to operate safely.”
The nature of outdoor activities on offer fur in Lapland means that it is easier to keep a safe distance, while usually spending time with people traveling with the country.
McLane says, “We can’t guarantee that Father is not wearing a Christmas mask or his elbow mask.
“We believe that once everyone has adapted favorably to the new normal conditions of 2020, the joy of having a truly memorable and magical holiday at the end of the year will be incredibly rewarding – despite some extra safety precautions.”
Simon Lynch, Scott’s sales director, is equally excited.
“Next season looks promising for the Finnish and Swedish Lapland,” he says.
“We are encouraged by the intricacies of the inquiries at both of these locations, families receiving the final doll-list trip during the festive period to see Santa and reindeer, as well as couples looking for alternative winter locations for remote romantic ridicule under the Northern Lights, where they have previously been in Europe. Would have preferred a ski-focused winter trip. “
Meanwhile in Sweden
Meet the man who can give Santa Claus a run for his money with his high flying sled.
Around the border in Sweden, visitors to Shengjen, the EU and the UK are not subject to quarantine rules. And the distinct nature of the region means that even if Santa lives in Finland it is possible to enjoy a relatively safe break there.
“We have a large space, a place with lots of small and private residences and mostly outdoor activities that are offered to small groups or private companies,” says Anna Skog of the Swedish Lapland Visitors Board. “It has the advantage of adjusting to a more socially remote experience for the safety of visitors.
Despite this, Skog is not optimistic about the number of visitors.
Last year saw a record number of visitors to Lapland.
Getty Images by Jonathan Nextrand / AFP
“It doesn’t look good for this winter. Long-distance travelers can’t travel, and travel bans in nearby markets change over the weekend. The Swedish Lapland is particularly affected because we are such an international destination for the winter season.”
“The signal we get is that people are very interested in traveling here, but in the current circumstances it is a challenge.”
He says there has been an increase in inquiries about direct charter flights in the region, replacing the need to change planes in Stockholm. However, flight opera operators are struggling, making this an unlikely proposition for all but the rich from winter-lovers.
It’s Santa on the line
Christmas is a big business in Rovaniemi, Finland but Santa Claus is not the one who first encouraged tourism in this Arctic Circle city.
Some tors operators have decided that with a background of always migrating travel restrictions, the way to go is a virtual approach. After a year of video calls for work and to connect with the family, it seems clear that Santa should be available on screen in person.
UK-based festival break specialist Santa Santa’s Lapland is offering a “Santa, Live from Lapland” video call for a family with four children. The calls last for the last 10 minutes and are hosted by a vampire who takes the family on a tour of Santa’s cabin before meeting the big man himself.
The company has postponed its 2020 trips in the wake of increasingly stringent travel measures from the UK to mainland Europe.
“As sanctions grow in the UK, many of us are wondering how we can keep the magic of Christmas 2020 alive,” says Paul Carter, CEO of Santa Lapland. “We want to help families remember Santa by giving them the opportunity to meet Santa in the comfort and safety of their own home.
“While no Christmas can compare to the intense excitement of a trip to Lapland to visit Santa in its snowy cabin, where the reindeer are real, and the Northern Lights dance in the night sky. Families will still be able to enjoy its flavors. The real Lapland magic this Christmas. . “
Looking to 2021 and so on
Many visitors delay their travel to Lapland until 2021.
Getty Images by Jonathan Nextrand / AFP
Santa Lapland has started booking for 2021 and says many of its customers who have lost out this year have booked for next Christmas.
Julie Canyon of Lapland Experiences says this has become popular among people who want to see something ahead for a period of 12 months.
“Some of our tour operator operator partners have completely suspended their 2020 Santa program and moved most of their clients to 2021. Therefore, for those who want to visit Lapland in December 2021, it is important to book now, as demand will be much higher now. Year.I am already moving customers to 2021 and places for this type of trip are limited.
“If 2020 trips are not possible, the focus will shift to 2021 and I will make sure all our 2020 clients are re-booked, and I would advise those interested to book a Lapland vacation as early as possible next year.”
In Rowanimi, where the City Street Plan is built like a reindeer, Sanna Krishkinen is also looking for 2021 for promotion.
“We are definitely looking at the next season and the next winter season in ’21 / 22 with a definite positive outlook. I think that will be the biggest objective now. Once the world improves, I think our growth with tourism will be good again.”
For now, Christmas savings Finland is putting in place its new travel restrictions and watching Santa fans cautiously and stumping up for a pre-flight covid test.
Only after the year 2020 will it be said that Christmas has not really been canceled.
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