Decision on Pallastunturi hotel project postponed until spring

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As reported earlier by Helsingin Sanomat, a new large hotel with restaurants has been planned to replace the present Pallas Hotel, located in the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in Finnish Lapland.
      However, the decision on the planned hotel project has been postponed until next spring.
     
Last spring, the Ministry of the Environment prepared an amendment to the legislation on the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, which would allow the construction of a new hotel, but the bill was never brought before Parliament.
      The plan to replace the present old and small hotel, which dates back to the 1930s, by a new much larger hotel and restaurant complex has met with plenty of resistance.
     
Among those who oppose the venture are for example various nature conservation organisations, the municipality of Kittilä, some of the tourist entrepreneurs in the region, the reindeer herding area of Kyrö in Kittilä, as well as Tunturilatu, an association of Finnish outdoor enthusiasts, which is part of the Central Association for Recreational Sports and Outdoor Activities (Suomen Latu).
     
Moreover, a number of researchers have stated that the project would be a violation of the Nature Conservation Act and could put the initial purpose of the natural park in danger, posing potential risks to the surrounding environment.
      The Pallas Hotel belongs to entrepreneur Pertti Yliniemi’s Muonio-based Lapland Hotels Group, consisting of 10 hotels and three ski resorts located in various parts of Lapland.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Pallastunturi hotel project upsets environmental organisations (30.4.2008)

Links:
  Tunturilatu
  Lapland Hotels

Helsingin Sanomat