Hanko’s winter is enlivened especially by leisure residents, but more and more often also by occasional tourists. Next summer is almost fully booked in several lodgings.
The door of the red brick bank building built on Hanko Boulevard in 1903 is invitingly open.
Kukkonen has just returned from Spain and recounts the events of the trip. Piiroinen and Parkkonen listen carefully and ask more questions.
– This bank is supposed to be a creative meeting place for people from Hanko. I think there is an order for this specifically during the off-season, Piiroinen estimates.
All three praise the winter in Hanko.
– Now that it’s snowing, this is like a fairytale town. The light is insane, Tomi Parkkonen describes.
– In November, I laughed out loud in Tulliniemi that how can it be so beautiful here, continues Anna Piiroinen.
And calm.
– In Hanko’s winter, the best thing is silence and peace. Although sometimes it feels like it’s a little too calm, Heikki Kukkonen says with a laugh.
The Corona era has raised the tourism of the already lively summer city to an unprecedented level.
Last year, Hanko’s migration movement also turned out to be profitable for the first time in decades.
Next summer is already almost fully booked in several accommodation establishments.
In winter it is of course still remarkably quiet, but for example Regatta Spa Hotel’s Christmas and New Year’s accommodation packages are almost sold out and the hotel is likely to be full on both holidays.
– The corona years clearly also increased tourism outside the summer season, but I think the trend started a little before the corona and it seems to be continuing, Ström characterizes.
However, the majority of Bulevard’s winter residents are commuters.
Lapland’s dream came true in Hanko
Hanko’s tourism office reports that, for example, there have been more Christmas markets this winter and the cultural offerings in the city are also relatively lively throughout the year.
The Tennis Hall, which will be completed in the city in February, will further increase winter tourism.
Many restaurants, including the karaoke bar that opened in the guest marina last summer, keep their doors open almost all winter in addition to the overwhelmingly popular summer season.
– Winters have clearly become more lively. I often say that summer is wonderful anywhere, but Hanko’s winter is worth experiencing. Now it’s super beautiful when there’s snow and the sea is still open, Anna Piiroinen says.
The couple had dreamed of establishing an inn in Lapland, but the dream came true in the southern tip of Finland.
However, there is a clear connection between Hanko and Lapland.
– Here in the summer there are a lot of the same people as in winter in Ruka or Levi. Seasonal workers are also largely the same in the winter in the fells and in the summer here, Ekola times.
Korsman’s space has housed an accommodation business before, but the couple renovated it from floor to ceiling. Next summer is almost fully booked, and guests are known for every winter weekend.
According to Ekola, more and more large wedding parties are organized in Hanko, for example at the Casino, which can accommodate more than 500 guests.
There are more or less the same number of lodging places available throughout the city during the summer, about 560. This is one of the reasons why wedding organizers want to make sure their guests have a roof over their heads as early as possible.
Like Piiroinen and Parkkonen, Ekola and Brown have moved to Hanko from Helsinki.
– This calm and quiet pace of life and nature fascinates. You can walk along the sea shores and breathe in peace, the couple describes.
Hanko has been marketed this and last winter with the Small City Christmas theme.
– This is like a small French village at Christmas. People walk around the city, shout Merry Christmas to each other and cross paths, says Anna Piiroinen.
At Christmas and in the whole city, Piiroinen and Parkkonen’s speeches have a special magic.
– We have traveled a lot. Still, the most amazing encounters have happened here. It’s a strange thing, Piiroinen sighs with a wide smile.
*You can discuss the topic until Tuesday, December 27 at 11 p.m.*