British visitors to Rovaniemi in Finland, the gateway to Lapland, increased 13.9% year-on-year last December, according to Visit Rovaniemi.

Gatwick, meanwhile, has revealed this October’s passenger numbers for Rovaniemi were up nearly three times on the same period last year.

In total, the airport will offer 120 direct Lapland departures this December, more than any other UK airport.

Gatwick departures span six destinations in the region - Enontekio, Ivalo, Kittila, Kuusamo, Tromso and Rovaniemi.

The airport has also launched new winter routes capitalising on the European Christmas market season.

These include new easyJet flights to Aarhus and Warsaw, and new British Airways flights to Cologne and Lyon due to launch in the coming weeks.

This December, Gatwick will offer 315 flights to Amsterdam, 306 to Geneva and 227 to Copenhagen.

Stephen King, Gatwick head of airline relations, said: “The number of Brits travelling to Lapland for a winter escape is rapidly increasing every year and we’re pleased to be responding to demand.

“If meeting Father Christmas or going on a sleigh ride doesn’t tick the winter holiday box, Gatwick’s short-haul network of over 160 routes offers something for everyone.”