In Lapland home, Santa prepares for Christmas
Updated: 2016-12-22 09:39
(Agencies)
Santa Claus waits for visitors at Santa Claus' Village on the Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi, Finland, December 15, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] |
Lapland tourism is a rare bright spot in Finnish economy, which is struggling to recover from a long stagnation. Travelling to Lapland increased 10 percent from January to October to more than 2 million overnight stays, and the number is expected to hit a new record in the full year.
"Another year is coming to its end and it has been a turbulent year with many big problems but also many very good things," Santa said in his Christmas message.
"Now as Christmas is coming close, reach out for those who need a helping hand, do it with compassion - that's the real Christmas spirit."