Visit to Official Rovaniemi Tourist Office , Lapland -

Visit to Official Rovaniemi Tourist Office , Lapland

The distinguished delegation connected to the Nordic–Africa Business Summit and Legacy Awards initiative undertook a historic and exploratory first official visit to the Rovaniemi Tourist Office in Lapland, marking a significant step in understanding Finland’s northern tourism ecosystem and its global positioning.

The visit was part of a broader programme focused on identifying business opportunities, tourism partnerships, investment pathways, and cultural exchange initiatives between Finland and Africa. The delegation, coordinated through  Ceci Educare Oy and led by Cecilia Naadensua Quarshie, engaged with key representatives responsible for promoting Rovaniemi and the wider Lapland region as one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations.

Rovaniemi, located in the heart of Lapland, is internationally recognised as a premier Arctic tourism hub and the official hometown of Santa Claus. The city attracts millions of visitors annually and is globally known for its unique combination of natural Arctic landscapes, winter tourism experiences, cultural heritage, and sustainable destination management.

During the visit, the delegation gained valuable insight into how Rovaniemi has successfully developed a globally competitive tourism brand built on sustainability, innovation, hospitality excellence, and strong destination marketing strategies. Discussions highlighted opportunities for collaboration in areas such as tourism development, cultural exchange programmes, travel investment, SME participation in hospitality services, and international visitor engagement.

The engagement also focused on exploring ways to connect African tourism markets, diaspora networks, and cultural industries with Finland’s well-established tourism infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on creating sustainable partnerships that support mutual growth, knowledge exchange, and long-term economic cooperation between regions.

The visit to the Rovaniemi Tourist Office in Lapland marked an important milestone in the delegation’s Finland programme, opening new pathways for future collaboration in tourism, investment, and cross-cultural development between Africa and the Nordic region.