Santa Claus’s village in crisis. A well-known travel agency cancels flights

There should never be a lack of snow in this place, but the reality is completely different. According to clients of travel agencies, the village of Rovaniemi, to which guests from all over the world come every year in December to see the famous village of St. Nicholas, has been suffering from a lack of sufficient amount of white fluff since November. Although welcome rainfall occurs from time to time, it is quickly washed away by rain. Tourists are concerned about making their dream trips in these conditions.

Winter without snow even in Finland

While in Poland there is disturbing information from IMWM regarding snowless holidays, Finland is also worried about the lack of a symbol of winter. Not having enough snow is a big problem even in the far north, in the village of Rovaniemi, also known as Santa’s village. This is one of the few places in the world where tourists come to experience “real winter”. Unfortunately, this year they have been mostly disappointed so far. “Fearing that TUI would cancel our trip, I did it first and booked the trip on my own,” writes one of the tourists on the Visit Lapland Facebook group. As reported by euronews.com, a popular travel agency canceled some trips to Lapland due to unfavorable, snowless conditions. “We are closely monitoring the weather forecast in Kuusamo. Unfortunately, today it rained heavily and the snow that was there was washed away,” reads TUI’s latest statement from December 4. Although the situation has improved somewhat since then, it is still far from the level seen years ago.

Tourists complain about problems

Although the injured were given the opportunity to receive a refund, choose a different direction or postpone their trip to next year, there are many who are dissatisfied. Tourism problems have been multiplying in Finland in recent weeks. As the Finnish website ele.fi writes, the lack of snow also affects guides and sleigh ride operators, who complain about the lack of work due to the weather. Apart from the shortage of white fluff, the media also talks about strikes by the national air carrier Finnair, which serves, among others, routes to the village of St. Nicholas. On December 13, the airline’s pilots intend to continue protests – tourists must prepare for numerous difficulties.