Lapland in the Arctic Circle is famously associated with Father Christmas, and the Finnish city of Rovaniemi even proclaims itself to be his official hometown.

Little wonder, then, that thousands of British families descend on it every year, hoping to wallow in some of that festive spirit.

But holidaymakers have this year been left furious with travel giant TUI. After booking trips advertised as Lapland – with an image showing Santa Claus and a reindeer – they have found out that they will instead be staying some 300 miles away.

Instead of being taken to the real Lapland, tourists are being sold trips to ‘Arctic Lakeland, Lapland’ in the Kainuu region of Finland, which is further south.

It is a region known more for its smelly tar industry than as the home of Father Christmas – and there are complaints that it is full of ‘plastic touristy fake stuff’.

TUI’s customer service Facebook page is awash with complaints. Chris Wals, who booked a ‘Lapland’ holiday with TUI for his family, said: ‘I’ve just found out my once-in-a-lifetime trip to Lapland is hundreds of miles away from Lapland. 

‘We paid £5,800 for the Christmas experience and I am gutted we are nowhere near. I feel totally mis-sold.’

He booked to stay in the Hotel Kajanus, which has a lowly 3.4 star rating on Tripadvisor, with TUI after it was advertised as ‘Lapland’. 

He claims that after he approached the travel operator, he was told: ‘Just because the hotel is in “Arctic Lakeland, Lapland” doesn’t mean it’s actually in Lapland.’

When he asked if he could instead go to the appropriate region, he claims he was told that he could – but it would cost him an extra £5,000.

When he made the booking, the travel giant wrote to confirm his holiday to ‘Lapland’ and said that it was hoping his family had a ‘magical time in Santa’s hometown’.

He said: ‘I unfortunately trusted TUI to send me to Lapland when I specified ‘Lapland’ as the hotel. The address of the hotel was in ‘Arctic Lakeland, Lapland’ and the booking confirmation says ‘Thanks for booking your holiday to Lapland with TUI’.

‘I feel I’ve promised the kids Lapland – and it isn’t.’

Others claim they too have been mis-sold ‘Lapland’ hundreds of miles from the real thing and outside the Arctic Circle. Ben Lloyd said: ‘I’m very sceptical about the TUI package we have booked for December to Vuokatti, sold as Lapland but strictly not.’

Another disgruntled customer, Vicky Skinner, said: ‘ I’m going to Ruka once again advertised as Lapland with TUI, and it’s clearly not. It’s costing me £4,000. It’s misleading.’

Another tourist, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they were left bereft by the mix-up, adding: ‘I disputed the advertising as the ad I saw said Lapland, which now I realise it’s not. I feel massively misled.’

Another warned that the region they were heading to was full of ‘plastic touristy fake stuff’, and did not live up to the authentic Lapland experience.

On the Facebook page, in response to one complaint, a TUI staff member says: ‘Arctic Lakeland is located just south of Finnish Lapland, in the northernmost part of the Lakeland region. 

‘It’s a beautiful area known for its pristine lakes, taiga forests and rich cultural heritage. While not in the region of Lapland, Arctic Lakeland offers the same magical winter experiences, including the opportunity to spot the Northern Lights, husky sledding, snowmobiling, reindeer encounters, and meeting with Santa.’