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Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Aly Esmail

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (supported by CareTech and Sheikh Holdings): Aly Esmail, director of the SME Group

Having joined his parents in the family business around a decade ago, Aly Esmail has helped make the SME group one of the most successful in its sector.


The group runs a wide range of fast food restaurants, partnering with some of the top franchise names in the world. Under Esmail’s watch, SME has expanded beyond its traditional London base and has now branched out into hotels with Choice Hotels International and InterContinental Hotels.

The company has over 1,000 employees and the Esmail family are well known philanthropists, donating to a number of worthy charities.

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A festive journey through Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi

One of the most memorable moments of any visit is crossing the Arctic Circle

visitrovaniemi

A festive journey through Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi

Highlights

  • Visit to the official hometown of Santa Claus
  • Meeting Mrs Santa Claus in her atmospheric cottage
  • Traditional encounter with Santa Claus in his Arctic Circle office
  • Stop at Santa Claus Main Post Office
  • Time spent with Santa’s reindeer and other animals

Stepping into Finland’s Christmas capital

Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is known worldwide as the official hometown of Santa Claus, and for many children and adults, it feels like stepping directly into a Christmas storybook. Unlike a traditional theme park, the village is open-air, free to enter and designed to offer festive experiences throughout the year. There is plenty to explore, with each corner offering something connected to Finland’s winter traditions and the world’s most famous Christmas figure.

One of the most memorable moments of any visit is crossing the Arctic Circle. A marked line runs through the village, and stepping over it is both symbolic and exciting. Visitors often pause for photographs as they cross into the Earth’s northernmost region, adding to the sense of adventure.

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