TRANSCRIPT
Johan Juujärvi is the manager of Rovaniemi Airport, in the capital of Lapland in northern Finland.
He's expecting the usual busy Christmas.
“December is our busiest month of the year... December has been very, very busy here in Rovaniemi airport (for the) last 20 years. But this year, I think that we are making all sorts of new records.”
Tourism here generates over 400 million Euros (A$437 million) in income, and that's expected to increase to 600 million Euros (A$655 million) in the next five years.
Johan has hired 20 seasonal workers to cope with the demand at the airport, and help with luggage handling and security.
That's on top of the 30 regular staffers.
The CEO of the tourism board, Sanna Karkkainen estimates new flights will bring 40,000 to 50,000 extra people this winter season.
“There is a huge increase in our fly-through. Compared to previous years, it's over 100%, meaning that we have about 24 direct flight connections so far. It's going to bring, of course, a big amount of independent travellers and also the ones that are taking part in the group tours.”
So why is this regional capital so busy?
Rovaniemi is the home of Santa Claus.
“Just before Christmas, we have lots of people coming, coming from all over the world, lots of lovely people, and I want to meet them all. And it's quite busy. But I'm not busy with the gifts because the elves are doing that job.”
He lives in Santa Claus Village, a theme park dedicated to Santa.
Sanna Karkkainen says it's one of the top attractions in the region.
“Because we are here at the Arctic Circle, you need to meet the man himself, Santa Claus, as he's present here every single day. Not only for the Christmas season, of course. So people want to see, meet and greet Santa. They want to have extraordinary activities, like going on a sleigh ride on the reindeer or doing the husky sleigh rides, or then try the other winter activities.”
Not all the reindeer are presently available for the tourists.
Santa says they are taking some much needed annual leave before the big day.
“Some of the reindeer are taking their holidays at the moment. For example, Rudolph, he's been on on a holiday. On a vacation. He promised me it's a short vacation this year, it's only 360 days. And after that, he's here again.”
The post office is another popular destination for visitors, because it's the place that the elves sort letters sent to Santa.
ELF: "At the moment we are very busy.”
Emmy and Isabelle are visiting from Sydney, Australia.
EMMY: "We're here because we're having a holiday and it's really fun to be here, write our letters, post them to Santa, it's just so fun."
ISABELLE: "And we are also here because it's almost our (Christmas) holiday, and that's why we're here and we're here for Christmas.”
People have also come to see the Northern lights and the snowy landscapes - like Francisco, who's visiting with his three year old daughter from Portugal.
“We don't have snow in our country, just beaches and heat, so it's a great experience for her (daughter).”
Meanwhile, Santa says despite the large tourist numbers, the elves are almost finished getting everything ready.
And he says the children of the world shouldn't worry too much about what presents they may get, once they get back home.
“I think children always know if they're on the nice list or the naughty list. They always know themselves. And I'm often asking them, and they are pretty honest with that. And that's the best way you can be honest with that thing. But it's good to remember, nobody can be good all the time. But if you try your best, that makes me happy.”
