events and tourist activities. Lappeenranta also welcomed more tourists from abroad.

The city of Lappeenranta is expanding the Sandcastle area and improving its services for the summer of 2021. The comfort and the services of the Sandcastle area by the harbour of Lappeenranta, at the tip of the fortress cape, will be increased for next summer, for example with linden plantings and a pop-up theme park complex with bouncing castles.

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, is increasing its flight offerings in Lappeenranta. A new route will be launched between Lappeenranta and southern Germany in October.

In late 2019, the regional councils of South Savo and South Karelia and the cities of Lappeenranta, Mikkeli, Savonlinna, Imatra and Varkaus signed the Saimaa Agreement. The agreement stated that target-oriented development and marketing efforts will be continued to promote tourism in the Saimaa area between 2020 and 2025.

Last year saw the launch of city bikes in Lappeenranta, and now the bikes have returned to the streets. Bikes are available around the city.

Lappeenranta Airport is prepared for the coronavirus. The City of Lappeenranta and the airport are closely following the situation as well as the guidelines issued by the authorities, and will act accordingly.

Lappeenranta Airport has introduced a digital Lakeland Experiencessales channel. Travellers arriving in Lappeenranta and Saimaa can book and purchase tourism services and products through the service.

Austria’s number one low cost airline, Lauda, will open new route between Lappeenranta and Vienna in spring 2020. Airline is named after its finder Niki Lauda and is 100% owned by Ryanair.