BIG RIVER, BIG FAMILY
Enter Tornionjoki, the largest free-flowing river in all of Europe, famous for its big salmon and amazing winter landscapes. Walk through the door at the Uusitalo House in Naamisuvanto Resort in Pello in Finnish Lapland to meet your new family: the owners, Petri & Taina, their sons, and their guides that are like their own sons.
Family owned travel company – all started with salmon fishing guiding
Our tourism company, Naamisuvanto Oy, is located 150 km north from the sea, in the municipality of Pello in Finnish Lapland. Naamisuvanto Resort is a family company led by Petri Uusitalo and his wife Taina. The family company was created over 30 years ago. Our main aim has traditionally been guided fishing, though we also rent boats and fishing equipment. Since 2021, we have also offered unforgettable winter experiences as Lapland’s winter tourism has known an unprecedented boom.
Family Uusitalo in Naamisuvanto
Petri has always lived in Naamijoki, and he couldn’t be happier. Peace and proximity to nature are the strengths of Naamijoki. Petri’s wife Taina is also from the North. Taina and Petri have three sons: Samuli, Santeri and Saku.
Petri has been driving cars professionally since he got his driver’s license. Today, he runs a taxi company alongside Naamisuvanto Resort. Becoming an entrepreneur was obvious to Petri, as Pello does not have many job opportunities. Being an entrepreneur in Naamisuvanto requires diverse activities; you need to be able to work in many businesses.
Petri’s parents arrived to Naamijoki in 1935 and built a house on the same place as it is today. Naamijoki was a busy place; timber rafting, tar burning and forestry work have traditionally employed the local population. The house has served many purposes: it has been, among other things, a shop, post office, accommodation and call center. The closeness of the Swedish border has had a positive effect on trade in Naamisuvanto. The shop in the house was closed in the 70s, the post office in 1991. Naamisuvanto Resort has made the house as vibrant as it used to be.
