Santapark joins Norwegian company to become Lapland’s second-largest tourism operator

Rovaniemi-based Santapark Arctic World, known for its Santa Claus cave, is joining forces with Norwegian tourism company Arctic Resort Company, creating Lapland’s second-largest tourism operator by revenue, Yle reports.

The combined company will operate under the Arctic Resort Company name. Santapark Arctic World entrepreneurs Ilkka Länkinen and Katja Ikäheimo-Länkinen will become the Norwegian company’s largest private shareholders and will continue to participate actively in developing the company and its businesses.

Rovaniemi will remain Santapark Arctic World’s registered home and operational centre. The company will continue working with its current employees. Arctic Resort Company has 220 permanent employees and about 700 seasonal workers in total.

“Now we have a great opportunity to combine our expertise and build something unique together,” Ilkka Länkinen said in a company statement.

Arctic Resort Company board chairman Bernt Osthus said Santapark Arctic World had strong experience in Arctic accommodation, experiences and destination development.

The merger will give the company annual revenue of about 63 million euros. Lapland Hotels and Safaris remains the region’s largest tourism operator, reporting revenue of 171 million euros. Nellim Wilderness Hotels and Safaris ranks third with revenue of 30.7 million euros.

Apukka Resort, which expects to exceed 30 million euros in revenue this year, is also seeking a place among the region’s three largest operators. The resort was sold last year to Swedish chain First Camp Group.

The Santapark Arctic World group includes Lapland Luxury DMC, Arctic Treehouse Hotel, Rakas Restaurant, Aino Private Island Hotel, SantaPark and Santa Claus Secret Forest, also known as Joulukka.

The wider Arctic Resort Company group includes Snowhotel Kirkenes, Sommarøy Arctic Hotel, Camp Tamok, Aurora Alps, Arctic Husky, Destination Tromsø and Northern Light Safari. The companies’ destinations receive about 350,000 visitors annually.

Satu Luiro, development manager at the Regional Council of Lapland, said a larger company could provide greater resilience against fluctuations in the global economy. She said retaining jobs in Lapland was important for the regional economy.