Iran conflict triggers cancellations in Lapland tourism

The outbreak of war in Iran in February immediately led to flight cancellations and created uncertainty for Lapland’s upcoming winter tourism season, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports.

Many long-haul flights to Lapland are routed via airports in the Persian Gulf region, including Doha in Qatar and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. When the conflict began, cancellations followed quickly, and the situation continues to cast a shadow over the winter season ahead.

Visit Rovaniemi CEO Sanna Kärkkäinen said demand for next winter has remained strong in Europe as well as in the long-haul markets of the United States and India. “If the state of war and the crisis continue, it will inevitably have effects on winter sales,” she said.

Acting CEO Hannu Wärme of Santa’s Hotels, which operates in several locations in Lapland and in Kalajoki, described the past winter as one of strong demand. The impact of the Iran war became visible in March with cancellations. “The world situation has been seen above all as uncertainty in air traffic and route changes, not as a weakening of demand,” Wärme said. He added that rerouting flights in advance could ease the situation going forward. Santa’s Hotels sells packages with tour operators up to about two years ahead, providing a buffer against sudden changes, whereas individual travelers react more quickly. The industry trend of shorter booking cycles also means holidays are booked closer to travel.

Erika Ehrnrooth, CEO of the Lapland Hotels chain, said the international situation this spring caused cancellations by long-haul tourist groups in accommodation and activity services, particularly on routes passing through the Middle East. “At this stage it is too early to assess the impact on next winter. We naturally hope the situation calms down,” she said. Most of the chain’s international customers come from Europe and nearby regions, and Lapland is widely seen as a safe and stable destination, she noted.

Hanna-Mari Talvensaari, CEO of Harriniva Hotels and Safaris in Muonio, reported no cancellations this spring due to the Iran war. However, she observed caution in summer bookings. “People are weighing whether to travel or not, and bookings are coming in slowly. This has been quite common as we head toward summer,” she said. Talvensaari said she is confident about the coming winter, as sales started stronger earlier in the year. “The situation is monitored constantly. It is important to stay in touch with resellers so we are up to date on the situation across Europe, so we can quickly prepare for possible changes.”

Fuel price increases and disruptions to air travel create uncertainty for Lapland’s flight-dependent tourism industry, even though demand is currently at a good level, Wärme added.