The City of Kemi is advancing the development of tourism in Sea Lapland with a clear strategic focus. The zoning of the SnowCastle area (Lumilinna) provides a strong foundation for new tourism investments, complemented by the development of sports and event facilities in Sauvosaari. Together, these form a significant tourism and leisure hub.
City Enables Growth
Kemi is strengthening its role as an active industry developer. The ongoing recruitment of a tourism development lead supports investment facilitation, business collaboration, and the growth of international demand.
The zoning decision enables the development of a new hotel project as well as a year-round portfolio of events and experiences. As the zoning process progresses, projects are moving into a concrete investment phase, advancing towards financing and implementation.
Mayor Matti Ruotsalainen:
“Kemi is making deliberate and long-term choices to accelerate tourism growth. The zoning solution creates a concrete pathway for investments and provides businesses with the conditions to grow and develop.”
Strong Signal to the Market
The development sends a clear and powerful signal to the market: Kemi is strengthening its position as an emerging international investment destination in the tourism and experience economy.
Chairman of the Board Pekka Tiitinen:
“This is about direction. Kemi is systematically building its position as an international tourism and experience investment destination. This message is being heard both nationally and internationally. With the city’s and the company’s aligned actions, we are moving towards new investments that will support tourism across the entire region.”
The Icebreaking Company Builds a Year-Round Destination
The Icebreaking Company is advancing its strategy to develop and expand a year-round Arctic maritime tourism offering in Kemi.
CEO Jaakko Löppönen:
“The conditions are now in place to move forward with investment projects and to build an internationally attractive, year-round tourism destination in Kemi. We are actively engaged in discussions with both domestic and international partners. Progress is being made in expanding the ownership base as well as in operational solutions, and 2026 is shaping up to be a significant year of transformation and growth for the company.”
Further information
City of Kemi
Matti Ruotsalainen, Mayor
matti.ruotsalainen@kemi.fi
The Icebreaking Company Oy
Pekka Tiitinen, Chairman of the Board
pekka.tiitinen@kemi.fi
Jaakko Löppönen, CEO
jaakko.lopponen@icebreaking.com