Cruise ship will bring thousands of German tourists to Kemi

More than 2,000 tourists will arrive in Kemi on Sunday aboard the German cruise ship Aidamar, Yle reports. The passengers will spend the day visiting destinations across southern Lapland.

The ship will dock at the port of Ajos, the northernmost Finnish port accessible to ocean-going vessels.

Kemi is expected to receive 10 cruise ships this year, a record for the city. Only Helsinki has more cruise ship visits in Finland, although Helsinki receives more than 100 ships annually.

“This year has been exceptionally good,” said Outi Hannuksela, project coordinator for cruise tourism in Kemi.

Large cruise operators are increasingly considering ports in the Baltic Sea. Hannuksela said premium and luxury operators are looking for less crowded northern destinations, while operators of large ships are also seeking new ports.

The crisis in the Middle East is one factor prompting cruise companies to consider new Baltic routes, according to Hannuksela. The cruise season is also expanding into months when Kemi benefits from its experience with winter navigation.

The arrival of Aidamar has been prepared for well in advance. Cruise ships reserve berthing places two to three years ahead, while a project launched less than a year ago has focused on improving communication between the ship and local businesses and organisations.

Kemi’s cultural centre, including its art museum, will be open on Sunday. Local businesses and associations, including the Kemi Local History and Museum Association, also plan to open their doors. Entrepreneurs will have free sales spaces at the cultural centre.

Local tourism guides have coordinated excursions for the ship’s passengers, while some restaurants and other businesses have extended their opening hours for the visit.

The goal is to make cruise tourism a regular part of the region’s tourism industry, Hannuksela said.