This year, there is one thing that Santa Claus has been asked for more often than anything else

Press release | Thu Dec 15 14:53:00 2022

At Santa Claus Office in Rovaniemi, it is always known what the most popular toys and gifts are. This year, however, people across the world have asked Santa Claus for one thing more often than anything else: peace – and it has become the main theme of Christmas this year. The busiest season has begun at Santa Claus Office, and more than 170,000 visitors are expected over the course of November and December. Sustainability is strongly present especially this year, and Santa Claus Office has been granted a Sustainable Travel Finland certificate.

As usual, Santa Claus has received numerous wishes for gifts. This year, however, there has been one wish above all others: peace. The messages also often mention the words ‘sharing’ and ‘caring’.

‘It is touching to think that even though time and centuries change, the most beautiful essence of Christmas – peace and good will – are preserved from generation to generation. This year, my own Christmas wish is that we would all help those who need it,’ encouraged Santa Claus at the Christmas opening event in Rovaniemi in November.

Santa Claus has many eager visitors

The Arctic Circle is buzzing as the number of visitors coming to Santa Claus Office is returning to the pre-pandemic level of 2019. According to the Head Elf Minttu Kariniemi-Aula, Santa Claus has visitors from all corners of the world. A video call with Santa Claus, which was introduced during the pandemic, is still a popular option.

‘The video calls have remained as popular as they were during the pandemic. It is an easy way to contact Santa Claus and the distance won’t prevent anyone from fulfilling their long-held dream.’

Santa Claus receives visitors and listens to wishes at his Office in the Arctic Circle, but still does not shake hands or have visitors sit on his knee. Hand sanitiser is used frequently at Santa Claus Office and you are encouraged to visit only when you are healthy.

Santa Claus Office has been awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland label for its sustainability work

This year, Santa Claus Office has been awarded Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label that requires the recipient to operate according to the sustainable travel programme and to commit to the sustainability criteria. The label is a proof of Santa Claus Office’s long-term, valuable work for sustainable travel.

For example, Santa Claus Office prefers local service providers, employs local residents and uses public transport and carpooling when possible. Waste management and energy saving have also been improved.

‘A balanced relationship with nature is one of Santa Claus’s and the entire office’s most important values: pristine and healthy nature is one of the best gifts we can give to future generations,’ summarises Minttu Kariniemi-Aula, the Head Elf at Santa Claus Office.

In May, Santa Claus Office was also granted the EcoCompass Certificate. Obtaining the STF label requires the EcoCompass or a similar certificate.

Travel enterprise Lapland Hotels & Safaris offers northern experiences for all the senses. It consists of Finland’s largest private hotel chain, Lapland Hotels, the largest experience service company in the Nordic countries, Lapland Safaris Group Oy, and Lapland Ski Resorts. The group has approximately 1,700 employees in total.

Lapland Hotels has 19 hotels, more than 2,400 rooms and apartments as well as over 10,000 restaurant seats around Finland in Ylläs, Levi, Saariselkä, Rovaniemi, Olos, Luosto, Kilpisjärvi, Pallas, Hetta, Helsinki, Tampere, Oulu and Kuopio. Lapland Safaris offers unique outdoor activities in eight destinations in Lapland: Rovaniemi, Ylläs, Saariselkä, Levi, Luosto, Olos, Hetta and Kilpisjärvi. Lapland Ski Resorts comprises five ski centres located in Ylläs, Luosto, Olos, Pallas and Rovaniemi. www.laplandhotels.com, www.laplandsafaris.com