Rovaniemi tourism couple wins national entrepreneur award

Katja Ikäheimo-Länkinen and Ilkka Länkinen, the founders of Santapark Arctic World in Rovaniemi, have received one of Finland’s national entrepreneur awards. Yle reported that the award recognises their long-term business development, international growth and work creating tourism experiences.

The couple have run the company for more than 20 years. Their business grew significantly after they bought the financially troubled Santa Claus cave attraction Santapark in 2009. The company also operates restaurants and luxury accommodation.

Ilkka Länkinen called the award a tremendous honour but said the credit belonged to the team. “We don’t do anything alone,” he said. Katja Ikäheimo-Länkinen said the experiences the company creates depend on its employees.

The company has nearly 100 permanent employees, with the number rising to almost 400 during the busy season. It provides accommodation for more than 170 team members and offers staff the chance to study Finnish at the company’s expense. A massage therapist visits every six weeks, Länkinen said.

The couple hope employees from abroad will stay in Lapland after the winter season. A September merger with Norwegian company Arctic Resort Company is expected to make seasonal transfers easier: Lapland’s busy season is in winter, while Norway’s is in summer.

The merged company has combined annual revenue of about 63 million euros. Santapark Arctic World reported revenue of 21 million euros in April 2026, according to company information cited by Yle.

The company’s guests come from more than 100 countries, while its team includes people from more than 50. Rovaniemi recorded 1.6 million tourist overnight stays last year, the article said.

Ikäheimo-Länkinen said she and her husband balance each other: he focuses on the broader vision, while she makes sure the work is high-quality, profitable and sustainable. She grew up in a Rovaniemi business family; her father, Antero Ikäheimo, founder of playground equipment company Lappset, received the same award in the 1990s.