Lapland, Finland, has changed from being the legendary home of Santa Claus to a bustling tourist destination in recent years. Once a fantasy for many, the area is now a top travel destination for hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Indeed, more than 700,000 visitors visited this Arctic wonderland in 2023 alone, with almost 100,000 of them traveling from the UK. The region's increasing popularity is demonstrated by the astounding 160% increase in tourist arrivals compared to thirty years ago. But this increase in tourists has sparked worries about the cultural and environmental costs of travel.
The Environmental Footprint of Tourism
As tourism has surged, so too has the development of infrastructure to support it. A new analysis of Lapland's tourism industry reveals that substantial green areas equivalent to London's Hyde Park have been cleared and developed over the last five years. These developments, which include holiday homes, ski slopes, and even virtual reality experiences for the aurora borealis, are indicative of the area's booming tourism economy. In some of the most popular tourist destinations, such as Rovaniemi, Levi, and Saariselkä, these developments have had a significant impact on Lapland's pristine landscapes.
The scope of this expansion is substantial. In the five years leading up to 2023, around 15% of the developments in Lapland were directly linked to tourism. In major tourist hubs, this figure increased to nearly half of all new developments. According to reports, over 430,000 square meters of natural landscapes have been altered to accommodate new tourist attractions, including ski resorts and holiday homes. In addition, an extension to the famous Santa Claus Village and the introduction of a reindeer park have contributed to the expansion in the capital, Rovaniemi.
Sámi Culture at Risk
However, this rapid expansion comes at a cultural cost. One of the most profound impacts is felt by the Sámi people, the indigenous community whose traditions are deeply connected to Lapland's natural environment. Many Sámi still practice semi-nomadic reindeer herding, a practice that has been passed down through generations. Yet, the construction of new resorts, holiday homes, and other tourism infrastructure is increasingly encroaching on their land.
In particular, the recent approval of 227 cottage plots along the shore of Lake Inari in Inari municipality has sparked controversy. These plots are situated in old-growth forests traditionally used by the Sámi for reindeer herding. Indigenous Sámi groups have voiced concerns that these developments threaten their livelihood and cultural heritage. The controversy has ignited debates over the balance between tourism development and the protection of the Sámi's ancestral lands.
Ecological Damage and Biodiversity Loss
The environmental damage caused by the expansion of tourism is not limited to the displacement of indigenous communities. The rapid development is also having a devastating effect on the region's biodiversity. The Guardian, in collaboration with several European news outlets, mapped over 2.7 million square meters of nature lost within a 10 km radius of Rovaniemi and five other tourist centres. Half of this land loss is attributed to tourism-related developments. This may seem relatively small in a region as vast as Lapland, but experts warn that every hectare lost to development has long-term ecological consequences.
Lapland's pristine ecosystems are home to unique species of flora and fauna, many of which are rare or endangered. The construction of ski resorts, holiday homes, and other tourist amenities is disrupting delicate ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity loss. Furthermore, the construction of ski slopes, the development of infrastructure for tourism, and the constant influx of tourists are putting increasing pressure on the region's natural resources.
Steve Carver, a professor at the University of Leeds, highlighted that recreational activities, such as skiing, are one of the primary threats to Europe's remaining wilderness areas. This is compounded by the additional threats posed by logging and mining, which have already contributed to significant environmental degradation in the region.
Challenges of Sustainable Growth
While tourism has become a vital part of Lapland's economy, there are growing calls for more sustainable practices to balance growth with environmental preservation. The regional council of Lapland acknowledges the need for a tourism strategy that takes into account climate change, biodiversity, and the protection of local cultures. A new tourism strategy, set to launch in 2026, aims to address these issues by promoting sustainable development while maintaining Lapland's appeal as a top tourist destination.
The council's spokesperson emphasized that tourism is essential for the region's economic vitality. However, they also acknowledged that the rapid growth of tourism has led to housing shortages in several areas of Lapland, further exacerbating the pressure on the local environment and infrastructure.
Can Lapland's Tourism Be Sustainable?
There are advantages and disadvantages to Lapland's expanding tourism sector. Even though visitors from all over the world are still drawn to the area by its breathtaking natural beauty, the environment and local cultures are being negatively impacted by the quick development of tourism infrastructure. Because new developments are encroaching on their traditional way of life, the Sámi people are especially vulnerable to these changes. At the same time, the ecosystems in the area are suffering irreparable harm, and the loss of biodiversity is becoming a more urgent problem.
It is unclear if Lapland can strike a balance between environmental sustainability and economic growth as it embarks on a new stage in its tourism development. Only time will tell if the upcoming tourism strategy for 2026 will be sufficient to protect Lapland's distinctive natural and cultural heritage for coming generations, even though it may provide a roadmap for a more sustainable future.