Tourism can be great for an area, but when too many people start visiting a place? It leads to overtourism and angry locals, and that’s what’s happening now in the “official hometown of Santa Claus.” The small city of Rovaniemi, where the Santa Claus Village theme park is located, has recently exploded as a festive destination, with people eager to see the Northern Lights, be near the North Pole, and of course, to see Santa.
The remote town is home to just 65-thousand locals, but in 2023 alone it had 1.2-million overnight visitors, nearly 30% more than the year before. Those who live there really aren’t happy about it, but why? The crowds of tourists pack the hotels and vacation rentals that are desperately needed as housing, according to residents.
“We are worried about the overgrowth of tourism. Tourism has grown so rapidly, it’s not anymore in control,” explains Rovaniemi resident Antti Pakkanen, adding that the rules for short-term rentals “must be enforced better.” But the town’s mayor, Ulla-Kirsikka Vainio, isn’t giving in to the Grinch-like attitude, noting that landlords can make “good money” on seasonal short-term rentals and tighter regulations would only make it tougher to accommodate all the Christmas travelers.
Source: NY Post
Scott's Thoughts:
- Guess I’ll go ahead and cross Rovaniemi off the old travel bucket list!
- These people need to capitalize, not complain! Turn this into a good thing!
- Everyone wants to know where the big guy in red grew up!