Tourism surge pushes Hailuoto into financial strain

Hailuoto’s municipal finances have suffered after a fixed connection to the island opened four months ahead of schedule during the busiest part of the summer tourist season, Yle reports.

The connection opened on June 29, causing the number of visitors to the island in the Bothnian Bay to rise from several hundred to thousands per day. Average traffic increased from about 740 vehicles per day to 3,125, with a peak of 3,840 vehicles.

Hailuoto has slightly more than 900 residents. The sudden increase created additional costs for the municipality, which said the early opening had led to exceptional and temporary financial difficulties this year.

The municipality built a temporary parking area for 20,000 euros and, together with the North Finland Centre for Vitality, bought paid traffic control services costing 3,000 euros. Waste management and public toilet costs rose by 20,000 euros, while purchased tourism information services cost an additional 8,000 euros.

The popular Bättre Folk festival, held on the island after the connection opened, also had to reconsider its traffic arrangements.

Because of the increased traffic, the municipality is planning improvements to streets, a pedestrian and cycling route, and redevelopment in the Marjaniemi area. Its estimated investment need is about 1.5 million euros, compared with total spending of around 5 million euros last year.

Hailuoto is planning to apply for a discretionary increase in state funding for sudden exceptional circumstances and the financial difficulties they have caused. The municipality has also established a working group to adjust its finances. The municipal council will consider the matter on September 15.