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Sustainable Travel Finland: 2022 milestones

Credits: Harri Tarvainen/North Karelia

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Sustainability is largely integrated in all Visit Finland actions and there's a lot going on.

Companies and destinations that undergo the entire programme are recognized with the Sustainable Travel Finland label and have access to a continuous development model.
Credits: Harri Tarvainen/North Karelia

Since 2018 Visit Finland provides companies and destinations with a toolkit for sustainable tourism that makes it easier to adopt sustainable practices and choices in the everyday business.

1. Already more than 170 STF-labeled companies and over 400 products!

The programme has become widely known within the Finnish tourism industry, and we reached 170 labelled companied in Summer 2022. These companies offer over 400 different sustainable travel products. In order to qualify for the Sustainable Travel Finland label companies must complete a 7-step-programme consisting of e.g commitment to receive certificate of sustainable travel, creating a sustainability development plan and transparent communication.

In addition to the companies that have received the label, around 750 other companies are enrolled in the programme at various stages of the development path of sustainable tourism. The goal is a steady increase in numbers of STF-labelled companies over the coming years. 

Discover all Sustainable Travel Finland -labelled products here >

 

2. Visit Finland and 60 Finnish tourism companies and destinations signed the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism.

The companies who signed the declaration undertake to cut their carbon dioxide emissions during this decade 50% and aim to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. The Glasgow declaration is the tourism industry's broadest and most versatile statement on climate change. 

Read more about signing the Glasgow Declaration >

 

3. Introduction of first national sustainable tourism indicators in March 2022.

The indicator system is a part of the STF programme and covers all dimensions of sustainability (social, cultural, environmental and economic). The implementation of the system will take place gradually, developing along the way.

An important part of the indicator data collection is also to find out the opinions of local residents and tourists regarding sustainability. What do the locals think about the effects of tourism in their place of residence? And do travelers feel that their chosen travel destination is sustainable? 

 

4. Introduction of the national carbon footprint.

The Finnish tourism industry must do its share to cut emissions, and carbon footprint calculations serve as the basis for planning reduction measures. The calculator is a pilot version and its further development will be carried out during the years 2022-2024.

Read more about the calculator >

 

22.8.2022