Polar Star Travel celebrates its 10th anniversary - Levi-based family business has grown into a versatile specialist in tourism in Lapland
Levi/Sirkka - Polar Star Travel celebrates its 10th birthday on 2.12. from 14-17 at its office in Torikuja. The anniversary is an opportunity to look at the company's growth from a local family business to a strong player in the Lapland tourism industry, based on genuine local knowledge and experience of Arctic nature.
From local service to international player
The story of Polar Star dates back to 2007, when Heidi and Juha Jokela started their tourism business with the maintenance and brokerage of the Moonlight Apartment Hotel.
In 2009 Aurora Incoming Levi Ltd was established and joined the Fintravel chain, which strengthened the company's growth and expanded its operations to international markets.
In 2015 the company was branded as an independent entity under the name Polar Star Travel. The new name reflected the expanded range of services and the position of Lapland in incoming tourism.
Growth in accommodation and programme services
In 2018 Polar Star Travel acquired the business and management of Polar Meetings, a 24-apartment complex that was rebranded as Polar Star Apartments. This strengthened the company's accommodation capacity and allowed for more comprehensive services.
In 2020 the company expanded its operations by acquiring Lapin Luontoelämys, a programme service company. The acquisition completed the service portfolio from accommodation to nature activities and offers customers one-stop solutions.
Today, the company employs six permanent employees in addition to the entrepreneur couple, and 9-12 people during the winter season.
Responsibility at the heart of Northern values
Polar Star Travel is committed to sustainable tourism and has been awarded several internationally recognised certificates:
- Green Key - environmental certification for accommodation services that focus on ecological operations and resource wisdom
- Green Activities - certificate for responsibly organised programme services
- Travelife for Tour Operators - internationally recognised sustainability certificate for tour operators
These certificates confirm the company's long-term commitment to respect for nature, responsible tourism and sustainable development.
Genuinely local - roots deep in the village of Sirka
At the core of Polar Star's operations is a strong connection to Levitunturi, the village of Sirka and the Lappish way of life. The company emphasises local cultural heritage, sustainability and respect for the fragile Arctic nature. Juha Jokela's family has deep roots in the villages of Sirkka and Köngäs, where the Jokela family's ancestors arrived as early as the 1600s.
”For us, Lapland means stories, authenticity and stopping by nature. We want to convey to our guests the same power and magic that we experience every day,” says Heidi Jokela.
The path marked by the North Star - mysticism and history in the spirit of Lapland
The story of Polar Star Travel is also driven by a mythical perspective on northern history. Legend has it that the first inhabitants arrived in the village of Sirka via the sacred pass and found a home under the shelter of Levitunturi and Kätkätunturi. The North Star, Stella Polaris, has served as an eternal guiding light - just like the company's name.
Polar Star Travel aims to bring its clients to this northern magic, silence and power of nature - locally, authentically and warmly.
