Enontekiö is looking for new tourism operators

Enontekiö, in Fell-Lapland, is a true wilderness destination. The most important attraction factors of the municipality’s tourism are the surrounding, far-stretching wilderness areas, as well as the vicinity of the large fells. Almost 70 percent of the surface area of the municipality is protected, Enontekiö is therefore profiled as an ecologically sustainable alternative.

Registered overnight stays in Enontekiö have increased by a fifth in the 2010s. In 2019, there were 150,000 overnight stays, more than half of them during the snow-free period. Enontekiö’s tourism business is truly year-round and internationality degree is about 30%. The occupancy rate in 2019 was higher than the Lapland average, but the price was correspondingly lower.

Jari Rantapelkonen, Mayor of Enontekiö municipality says the number of tourists is anticipated to grow, there are clear signs indicating it, for example, from tour operators.

—We can see that the new area will also open completely new markets.

Enontekiö airport close to the village is a strength. At the moment, there are no regular scheduled flights to the airport, but due to charter traffic the number of air passengers has increased by more than 70 percent since 2010. Kittilä’s international airport, which is situated at a distance of 150 kilometres, also serves the development of tourism in Enontekiö. The accessibility of Enontekiö has improved, e.g. due to the bus connections running via northern Norway.

• Read about Enontekiö as a travel destination

Last oasis before the wilderness

The area now under development is the last stop before the far-reaching wilderness areas of the north which continue up to Norway.

– The area is in the immediate vicinity of the village of Hetta. Hetta is an authentic Lappish village where you will find a lively Sami culture and reindeer herding, as well as long-standing traditions in versatile tourism services, says Rantapelkonen.

In the south-north direction, in an area of approximately five kilometres long, there would be space for a variety of operations from accommodation services to different activities. The idea is that the activity operations would focus on the southern part of the area, while tranquillity, darkness and peace would increase towards the north.

Rantapelkonen says that they are now seeking investors and operators for the area’s accommodation and programme services.

–The planning of the area has started with keeping in mind that many different-sized operators can participate in the development of the area.

At the southern end of the Jyppyrä-Paljasselkä area, there is currently Hetta Hiihtomaa, which operates as a small-sized ski resort, and the Fell Lapland Visitor Centre. These existing functions and services in the nearby area support the development of the new area. An important attraction factor is also the National Park of Pallas-Yllästunturi and its trail networks, which begin in the immediate vicinity of Hetta.

The primary idea is to lean on local authenticity and existing attraction factors. Trends identified in the tourism sector support resort construction and special accommodation situated at the heart of nature.

– Initially, hotel-type accommodation, cabin construction and special experience accommodation have been planned for the area. Paljasselkä in itself is a steep upland region of fells, which enables sheltered slope construction that is embedded in the landscape with stunning views.  There are an old radar station and terraced houses at Paljasselkä for which purpose a road and electricity lines run there, in other words, the basic infrastructure already exists, says Rantapelkonen.

Rantapelkonen says that the amount and type of construction will be specified during the detailed land zoning process.

– The process is underway and we would be happy to take into account the wishes of the actors interested in the area.

Project area on the map

(The map is indicative)