![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pohjolanmatka.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/TUI_2024-1700x1275.jpg\")
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Bringing the Elves Along<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
TUI UK will operate flights to Kainuu twice a week in December\u2014on Wednesdays and Sundays. Travel packages include flights, airport transfers, accommodation, tasters of various winter activities, and a shared Festive Finale<\/strong> evening, where guests gather to enjoy good food and a warm atmosphere before returning home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guests can also purchase optional excursions, including husky and reindeer sleigh rides or snowmobile safaris. Accommodation options include hotels in Kajaani or Vuokatti. Pohjolan Matka acts as TUI UK\u2019s local DMC (Destination Management Company) partner, providing a wide range of ground services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the trip, TUI UK guests are looked after by dedicated guides\u2014affectionately referred to as \u201celves.\u201d When news of TUI UK\u2019s arrival reached Kainuu, Djurdjica Slijepcevic, Sales Manager for DMC services at Pohjolan Matka, began recruiting these elves alongside other preparations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their responsibilities include welcoming and entertaining guests, assisting them throughout their stay, ensuring safety, and maintaining a joyful Christmas spirit. One key recruitment channel proved to be Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, particularly its tourism (hospitality management) students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen we learned about the need for elves, we held a joint meeting with Pohjolan Matka to review the job description and the skills required. In spring 2025, we sent a job announcement to all tourism students outlining the expectations and opportunities the role offers. We also organized a joint Teams information session with Pohjolan Matka,\u201d Students then submitted their applications to Pohjolan Matka, where they were reviewed and selected candidates were invited for interviews. Once chosen, the elves signed both internship and employment contracts. The response was strong, and ultimately six students from the international degree program were selected for the roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recruitment process proved both valuable and educational for Kajaani University of Applied Sciences. For the selected students, the elf role also contributes toward their mandatory internship requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Pietarinen, the collaboration with Pohjolan Matka was smooth and flexible. This marked the first time the two organizations engaged in deeper cooperation, although some students had previously completed internships with the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow we\u2019re eagerly waiting for proper snowfall and the elves\u2019 training days, when their roles will become even clearer. Collaborations like this are extremely valuable for both the institution and the students,\u201d Pietarinen adds.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Stay tuned and follow the elves\u2019 training and their experiences with Kainuu\u2019s winter activities on social media: @pohjolanmatka<\/strong> and @kajaaniamk<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In early spring 2025, as TUI Netherlands concluded its first…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":17644,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_sgb_lightbox_settings":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[243,244],"tags":[235,236,237,238,239,228],"class_list":["post-17642","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-collaboration","category-reference-customer","tag-dmc","tag-incoming","tag-joulu","tag-joulumatkailu","tag-kajaanin-ammattikorkeakoulu","tag-kansainvalisyys"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
explains Mika Pietarinen, Senior Lecturer in Tourism at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Recruitment Process That Became a Learning Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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