Our recent study highlights a generally positive outlook toward investments among Lapland residents, though environmental concerns remain significant.
Attitudes of Lapland’s adult population towards regional investments – study was conducted by the research firm Verian in the autumn and included over a thousand participants. It stands out as a landmark study, shedding light on how Lapland’s adult population views investments across various sectors.
“Lapland is an intriguing and challenging region for surveys because it combines a few major urban areas with sparsely populated municipalities. In the Chamber of Commerce survey, we focused on ensuring that the results represented all types of areas across the region,” explains Verian’s Research Director, Mikko Hormio.
The Chamber of Commerce launched the study to understand attitudes toward investments. Previously we have studied the region’s significant investment potential. It stressed the importance of aligning developments with local preferences and promoting sustainability, as investments are key to enhancing living conditions in Lapland.
Tourism Seen as a Key Sector
Survey respondents overwhelmingly identified tourism as the most vital economic sector for Lapland, both currently and in the next decade. At the same time, they predicted energy production would experience the most growth in importance over the next ten years.
The survey revealed differing regional perspectives, with urban respondents emphasizing the significance of industry, while rural participants highlighted mining.
“According to statistics, industry is the largest sector in Lapland, yet residents rank it much lower in their perceptions. This is an interesting result, as it reflects a lack of understanding of the industrial sector’s role in Lapland’s economy. This is likely influenced by the significant concentration of industrial activities in the Sea Lapland region,” notes Liisa Ansala, CEO of the Lapland Chamber of Commerce.
General Openness to Investments
The study found that 70% of residents believed Lapland should adopt a more open attitude toward investments. Support levels varied by sector, with 65% favoring industrial investments, 63% supporting energy sector developments, and 61% endorsing tourism investments.
Attitudes also shifted based on geography. For instance, those in Fell Lapland and Northern Lapland were less receptive to industrial and energy projects than residents of other areas. Rovaniemi locals showed limited enthusiasm for mining or new tourism investments. This attitude may be influenced by ongoing debates about Airbnb practices and the broader growth of tourism in the area.
“It’s essential to consider that investments in accommodation and activity services can bring more travelers to targeted offerings. This also promotes sustainability,” notes Hanna Baas, Director of Advocacy at the Lapland Chamber of Commerce.
Concerns About Environmental Impacts
More than half of respondents expressed unwillingness to accept local environmental impacts from investments, even if deemed vital to Lapland. Fewer than a quarter were open to such trade-offs.
These findings underscore the value residents place on their natural surroundings. However, they also highlight a paradox: while investment is desired, its negative effects are not.
“All human activities have some local environmental impacts. The key is to minimize and compensate for negative effects while maximizing positive outcomes and creating high added value for the region. The overall impact picture is decisive,” Baas emphasizes.
Mining Polarizes Opinions
Mining investments were the most controversial topic. Over half of the respondents recognized their potential benefits for Lapland, but many also viewed them as a threat.
“Opinions on mining are polarized. In the future, it will be essential to foster dialogue and constructive interaction. What is understood and known tends to be more acceptable. Mining is generally more accepted in areas where mining already exists,” explains Ansala.
Thirty-six percent supported mining investments in their locality, while 44% opposed them, and 20% were undecided. Men were notably more supportive of local mining projects than women, seeing greater personal and regional benefits.
Job Creation as the Top Benefit
Job creation ranked as the most significant benefit of investments for almost all respondents. Other notable advantages included preserving local services, improving transportation links, and increasing tax revenue.
Public sector and tourism investments were perceived as particularly beneficial on a personal level, with women favoring public sector projects and men seeing greater value in mining and industrial initiatives.
Promoting Investments Positively
The survey revealed strong support for measures to attract investments: 67% advocated for more flexible regulations, and 63% supported increased public funding to encourage industrial investments.
Municipalities were urged to take a more active role in fostering investment-friendly policies, especially as municipal elections approach.
“We encourage municipalities to evaluate whether their decision-making processes are consistent and efficient, and how they approach investments and business growth. Municipalities need to take a proactive leadership role in promoting investments,” concludes Ansala.