Tourists Return to Santa Claus Village Amid Fears of Omicron Disrupting Festivities
In Finnish Lapland, the holiday season is in full swing, with visitors flocking to the festive offerings of Santa Claus Village, a popular theme park on the edge of the Arctic Circle. Venue operators are reporting visitor numbers approaching pre-pandemic levels, with tourists from Finland and beyond indulging in sleigh rides and enjoying the sights of snowmen, penguins, and huskies crafted from ice.
However, the festive mood is tempered by uncertainty, as the emergence of the omicron coronavirus variant raises concerns. New travel restrictions, testing requirements, and quarantine measures are being introduced, threatening to disrupt the seasonal joy that has returned to the region.