Tourists leave luxury winter jackets behind in Lapland hotels

Tourists visiting Lapland often leave behind expensive winter clothing after their trips, creating a growing issue in Rovaniemi. Many travelers purchase winter gear specifically for their trip but discard it when it doesn’t fit in their luggage or is

By: helsinkitimes.fi

Jan 09 2025
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Tourists leave luxury winter j

Tourists visiting Lapland often leave behind expensive winter clothing after their trips, creating a growing issue in Rovaniemi. Many travelers purchase winter gear specifically for their trip but discard it when it doesn’t fit in their luggage or isn’t needed back home. The phenomenon has been observed for several years, particularly during the peak tourism season.

At Arctic Hotel Collection, General Manager Miko Gröhn says dozens of bags filled with discarded clothing and accessories, including branded items, are left behind each winter.

Gröhn attributes this trend to the impracticality of bringing winter gear back to warmer climates.

Rovaniemi’s Sokos Hotel Vaakuna has taken proactive measures to address the problem. Hotel Manager Tiina Määttä explains that guests are encouraged to leave unwanted clothing at a collection point in the reception area. These items are then donated to charity through the Hope organization.

Other local accommodations, including Santa’s Hotels and Apukka Resort, report similar cases of leftover clothing, although the volumes are smaller. Short-term rental properties have also seen high-value items left behind, including leather shoes and winter jackets worth nearly €1,000.

The City of Rovaniemi and Business Rovaniemi are conducting a survey to quantify the amount of excess and unused items left in the area by tourists. Katariina Sieppi, project manager for the city, highlights that while the problem is known, its full extent is unclear. The survey, which includes input from residents, businesses, and tourists, is part of a broader initiative to promote a circular economy in the region. Results are expected in January.

Proposed solutions include expanding clothing rental services for tourists and improving recycling options in the area. Sieppi also suggests that high-quality second-hand winter clothing could be marketed to visitors, reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices.

Another potential solution is a pickup service for leftover items, allowing tourists to leave unwanted goods at their accommodations without worrying about disposal.

The findings from the survey will inform a pilot project in the spring aimed at enhancing Rovaniemi’s circular economy infrastructure. The goal is to make it easier for tourists to dispose of excess items responsibly and to encourage the reuse of quality winter clothing.