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Sustainable Travel Finland: 2022 milestones

Credits: Harri Tarvainen/North Karelia

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

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 >

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Sustainable summer travel tips to Finland

Credits: Aku Pöllänen

Press release, Helsinki, 1 June 2023

Finland’s vision for the future is clear: to become carbon-neutral and the first fossil-free welfare society by 2035. To reach the goal, Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme is dedicated to also making the local travel industry carbon-neutral and accelerate the transition towards net zero. The gem of the north with its pristine views over a landscape of thousands of lakes and the world’s cleanest air, provides travellers with many ways to travel sustainably. 

"We want to offer experiences that allow our guests to slow down and take a deep breath in nature. For example, canoeing on Lake Saimaa, sleeping on the campsites on islands, and biking in the countryside from one guesthouse to another to taste local flavour are the great examples of sustainable and relaxed ways to spend summer holidays in Finland", says Liisa Kokkarinen, Head of Sustainable Development, Visit Finland. 

The new regenerative travel concept “Planet-Positive Conservation Holiday-programme” which will take place as a pilot project this summer for tour operators and media at Haltia Lake Lodge in Nuuksio National Park aims to reverse biodiversity loss by engaging visitors in conservation work. A win-win for both the local nature and those visiting, looking to make a change, fight feelings of climate anxiety – or simply, connect with local nature.  

"Your actions during your holiday can also have a positive impact on the area visited. In this pilot together with The Finnish government owned Metsähallitus Wildlife & Parks, we can learn more about how we can engage with and increase the well-being of our most important resource, nature, through travel. This way we can also provide our visitors with memorable holiday experiences in Finland. This to me is fantastic", CEO & CO-Founder of Haltia Lake Lodge Teemu Tuomarla concludes.  

Eat food fit for NASA & enjoy complimentary public transportation

Nuuksio, the National Park located only 20 kilometres from the capital city of Helsinki, offers now also a chance to dine in the most sustainable way. Haltia Lake Lodge Hotel , awarded the most sustainable hotel of 2022 by Boutique Hotel Awards Europe, is now collaborating with Arctic Farming, an agri-tech startup dedicated to solving global food issues using technology. Also, for the summer season, Haltia launches a campaign with Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) to include a complimentary ticket to the hotel from the city center and back, so there won’t be a need for a car rental to get to nature.

Build an insect hotel & forage CO2-free nutrition

Annu Huotari, third generation entrepreneur welcomes visitors with the unique chance of building an insect hotel – while having a wonderful stay at Hawkhill Cottage Resort  – making space for new. It’s a great way to get to know the most common wild plants that are easy to find in Finnish forests and meadows. You will get the best tips on how to identify, forage, handle, preserve, and enjoy the plants. Available from May to September.

Enter your stay in a “new” outfit

Helsinki-Vantaa, the main entry point into Finland, is becoming the first airport in the world to have its own onsite secondhand store when ReLove , the local, super popular secondhand specialist, launches its airport concept on the premises. Wearing secondhand clothes is the thing right now in Finland.

Bike from guesthouse to guesthouse on a cuisine tour

Join this one-week food tour to dive deep into the Karelian cuisine of Finland. Visitors will bike from guesthouse to guesthouse with daily distances ranging between 15 and 35 kilometres. Plenty of breaks with delicious local foods from fresh berries to Karelian pies tasted during the tour. This is travel at its most scrumptious – and sustainable way!

Island hop on a canoe in Lake Saimaa

Saimaa Canoeing routes are some of the most sustainable ways to travel in Finland. The development work of these canoeing routes was rewarded with a win in the Travel Fair sustainable competition in 2023 and the region of Puumala was just awarded with Sustainable Travel Finland label. The astonishing routes include overnight stays on designated, private campsites and cabins

Jump on the train to Repovesi National Park

VR, the government-owned railway company of Finland, will re-open its highly popular train routes be taking visitors straight from Helsinki Central Station to the lush greenery of the Repovesi National Park. This year, the Hillosensalmi train connection continues until October, so travellers can also take the train to see the beautiful autumn foliage of Repovesi.

Pedal away in Kristinestad

Hotel Krepelin , located in Kristinestad, a town awarded as a second region in Finland with a Sustainable Travel Finland label on the western shore of the Bothnian Sea, welcomes visitors to explore the spectacularly beautiful old town on bikes that are both free of locks and any costs, as the cycles are complementary to use.

Treat yourself to wild food in the archipelago

A collaboration between Studio Sami Tallberg , the awarded wild food chef and Söderlångvik , a manor, personal history museum and farm, will provide visitors with incredible and sustainable flavours from the surrounding nature of Kimitoön with influences from Tuscan cuisine.

Grow a tree as a sign of love

The Finnish Rakkauden Metsä , or Love Forest, invites everyone to come and plant a tree as a symbol of love! Trees can be planted in any licensed location and the funds from the concept are directed at nature protection, to influence and participate in actions against climate change.

Bathe in purified water from the Baltic Sea

Hotel Kasnäs has been working with a sustainability programme for a long time. The business operates on retained heat: the outdoor pools, the spa and the restaurant are all heated with district energy produced from residual heat from its parent company, the Salmonfarm. On top of that, all water you drink, shower and bathe in, is purified seawater straight from the Baltic.

More sustainable choices

Find more inspiration on sustainable travel choices and the Sustainable Travel Finland programme at the Visit Finland Travel Trade page. 

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About Visit Finland

Visit Finland, a unit of Business Finland, is a national authority on tourism and an active force in promoting international travel to Finland. Its main goal is to develop Finland’s international image as a destination. Visit Finland supports the travel industry through research and helps businesses and groups develop products and services for the international market. For more information, please visit  www.visitfinland.com .

How to Travel Sustainably in Finland?

How to travel sustainably is such a great question! I’m so happy to hear that you’re planning a trip to Finland and want to take some time to explore ways to do it without leaving much of a trace. 

I’m learning new things about how to travel and live more sustainably every day. A full disclosure, I’m not a professional in this topic, but an ordinary person interested in discovering this topic and making my choices more sustainable. I also consider it my responsibility to be educated about these topics for our community. 

Most importantly, I believe in working together. I hope we can update and add more things to this post together, so I’m excited to see your comments at the end. 

Table of Contents

Sustainable travel in Finland

Getting there: the flight over , getting around finland sustainably, planning your sustainable stay, local and seasonal finnish foods, sustainable shopping and souvenirs, be respectful and take thoughtful actions.

You’re off to a good start when you choose Finland as your destination. You’re not choosing to travel somewhere that suffers from over-tourism. 

Although places like the popular tourist spots in Lapland in the winter and Suomenlinna in the summer might get a little crowded, they generally do not suffer from issues like pollution, loss of biodiversity, or consequences of plastics or other trash thrown by tourists ending up in the water system.

You’re also not contributing to many social impacts like the cost of living going up for the locals or animal rights issues due to tourism. Finland regulates all these things, so you can trust tour providers and experiences on offer to have high standards.

If you want to specifically support businesses that prioritize sustainability, Business Finland has established a Sustainable Travel Finland program. Look for the label, and you can find tour providers, activities, and businesses that apply the 7 steps of the program to protect special environments like the Arctic region, follow sustainable travel principles, and are audited regularly.

Unfortunately, the quickest, easiest, and pretty much the only way to get into Finland is by plane. While we all know that flying is not the best way to travel sustainably, it is pretty much a necessity in this case.

While you probably can’t avoid flying, here are a couple of surprisingly effective ways to reduce the impact of traveling to Finland that don’t require a lot of effort:

• Choose a direct flight to one of Finland’s major airports, if possible. 
• Pack lightly. Taking 5 kg less on your flight could reduce your carbon footprint by 5%. If you’re planning a winter visit and coming from a warmer climate, you might be able to rent winter clothing from a tour operator.
• Use an airline with newer planes: Finnair mentions newer aircraft generate up to 25% less emissions.
• Fly economy: as Veera of responsibletourism points out , more people take the same plane.
• Bring a reusable water bottle: Helsinki-Vantaa airport has water dispensers around the airport.

Once you have arrived in the country, we recommend traveling by train to reach your destination.

There are more than 200 rail stations in Finland, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a train connection that can get you to where you are going. Train travel plays a major part in the Finnish government’s goal for Finland to be carbon neutral by 2035, and travelling by train in Finland is already carbon neutral. 

The trains in Finland are comfortable, and you can book your seat and ticket before traveling. Buy tickets online. For longer journeys, trains usually have a restaurant on board and different levels of seating. The trains are all operated by VR Group, and their website allows you to search for connections between cities with a simple search.

In the summer, VR and the local bus company Matkahuolto offer holiday tickets that allow you to take interrail type of travel within Finland from a couple of weeks up to a month. You can find the deals on their websites. I haven’t yet seen anything similar during the winter.

If you are planning to travel a longer distance, another option to consider is renting an electric car or a hybrid. You can find charging points, for example, through the website latauskartta.fi . There are also apps for different services that offer charging points.

Finally, if you only want to see a specific city, the public transport will take you around the city and includes trains, trams, busses and in Helsinki, an underground system. 

You can often easily explore on foot as city centers tend to be very pedestrian friendly. There are also options like city bikes and electric scooters available in the biggest cities.

There is one very easy way to make your vacations more relaxing and more sustainable at the same time: stay longer.

Rather than trying to fit in as many small vacations as you can around the year and rushing around places with no time to spare, why not plan a longer break and take it all in? You’ll have more time to enjoy the beauty of Finland, and it helps reduce emissions from constant travel.

Traveling this way might not always be possible, but it can be really enjoyable to have a real break, especially if you want to explore nature or get to know a place. Having a little more time will help you really experience Finland. 

One of the things I try to do at home as much as possible also applies to travel: buy locally produced food and seasonal foods. 

The supermarkets and restaurants already often do their part in bringing local produce on display and into the menus. There are also markets and market halls all around Finland where you will find local foods to sample. 

Some examples you might want to try include berries, mushrooms, as well as local fish and game. Here is a list of 50 Finnish dishes , many of which you can find in restaurants and cafes around Finland. 

Since packing light is better for the environment, it is best to only buy what you need and items that will last. But most of us want to bring something home for ourselves and maybe friends and family too.

There are plenty of reusable, recyclable, or recycled products to choose from though. Finns love to shop at second-hand stores. They’re wonderful places to find souvenirs and explore the local lifestyle.

If you haven’t got them already, tote bags for your grocery and other shopping and reusable bottles are available in most shops and come in many patterns and designs. 

It is also easy to shop local: there are so many great small businesses and brands, from crafts to clothes and household items, that could last a long time to choose from. Many of them will proudly tell you about what they do for the environment on their labels.

Some examples of these brands in Helsinki, put together by MyHelsinki website, include Nomen Nescio, Papu designs, Nudge, Pure Waste Concept Store, Ansa Second Hand, Lapuan Kankurit, OMA puoti, and Mai Niemi Finnish Fairytale Shop.

Grab the free kit

Part of sustainable travel is making sure tourism does not ruin everything for other tourists, locals, or the environment by being too much of a burden. What could this mean in Finland?

Here are just a few things you might not have thought of yet, but that will make a difference when you travel in Finland:

• Tap water in Finland is one of the cleanest in the world. You won’t need disposable water bottles.
• Lunch buffets are quite common in Finland. Don’t take more than you can eat to avoid food waste.
• Use local resources and support local businesses: you can find a key-shaped Finnish flag on many of the products made in Finland
• Recycle: Finns recycle at home, so do your part when you see separate bins for different waste
• Bring plastic bottles back to the store: you’ll find a machine for recycling bottles at grocery stores and get money back when you scan the barcode.

There are many ways to travel more sustainably. Whether it is cleaning up after yourself, utilizing local resources, or simply making better decisions at the moment. 

I really hope you have a memorable vacation and are impressed by the nature and beauty of Finland on your travels.

What are your best tips for sustainable travel? Did you find something new or unexpected in this blog? I would love to hear your thoughts and tips in the comments!

Here are some other blogs you might enjoy:

• Plan your Lapland Holiday with tips for silence seekers, visitors to Santa and adventurers
• Practical and cultural things you should know before you travel to summer Finland
• Planning a visit to Finland with kids? This article is a must-read for a fun Finland family holiday!
• How to say thank you, you’re welcome and please in Finnish?

https://www.visitfinland.com/en/articles/11-sustainable-travel-tips/

https://www.finlandtrains.com/railway-stations.html

https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/do-business-with-finland/visit-finland/sustainable-travel-finland-label

https://www.vr.fi/en/railway-stations-and-routes

https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/think-sustainably/sustainable-and-long-lasting-purchases-in-helsinki

About Varpu I’m the founder of Her Finland. I love cultural tidbits, aha moments, Finnish folklore, and cinnamon buns. My newest interest is learning bird songs. Read more about me..

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The Programme of Finnish Government, is ‘Inclusive and competent Finland – a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable society’. Meanwhile, Finland's Arctic Strategy, driving sustainable development in the Arctic, has set sustainable tourism as one of its priorities. Furthermore, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, responsible for Finland’s updated tourism strategy, has identified four priorities that will facilitate the sustainable growth and renewal of the tourism sector in Finland - first priority being supporting sustainable development. To help the tourism industry in Finland to put these strategies into action, together with various stakeholders Visit Finland has developed the Sustainable Travel Finland -programme, designed for tourism companies and destinations in Finland. With focus on all dimensions of sustainability (ecological, cultural, social and economic), Sustainable Travel Finland programme offers Finnish tourism industry a complete toolkit to adapt sustainable practices: a 7-step sustainable tourism development path. Although Sustainable Travel Finland programme aligns with internationally known sustainable tourism programmes and SDGs, it is built in consideration of regional and national development needs. Initially, the current state analyses recognized the following areas to develop: commitment, knowhow, planning, communication, auditing and measuring. Instead of adopting a foreign model to Finland, a national model was designed to address these needs, as well as regional differences. Companies and destinations that undergo the entire programme are awarded with the Sustainable Travel Finland label, providing travel trade and travellers an easy way to identify a tourism actor that takes sustainability seriously and make a responsible choice.

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SUSTAINABILITY

Posio is the first finnish travel destination to receive the sustainable travel finland label granted by visit finland.

Good news from Posio! In October 2020, we became the first Finnish travel destination to receive the Sustainable Travel Finland label granted by Visit Finland. The program was launched last year and the individual labels were issued as soon as June. However, this is the first time that an entire travel destination has received recognition.

Over half of the travel companies based in Posio, which offer international visitors services, have been granted the Sustainable Travel Finland label. It is one of the many criteria set for a travel destination. There are seven requirements altogether that a region must meet:

it must commit to the national principles of sustainable travel

support the development of expertise in sustainability within local companies

provide multi-channel communications on sustainable operations

prepare a development plan that is updated regularly

perform a current state analysis of sustainability within the region’s travel industry operations.

Half of our travel businesses are Green Key certified

Green Key and Green Activities -certificates have authenticated the hard work done by all these businesses to become sustainable.

Green Key is the leading international eco-label – it is in use in 65 countries. Green Activities is Green Keys sub-label.

The daily environmental work done by the Green Key certified businesses include:

•  saving in energy and water
•  producing less waste and recycling
•  offering locally produced vegetarian and organic food
•  using certified environmentally friendly washing and cleaning products and papers
•  offering clients ecological transportation and nature travel.

From all the Finnish counties, Posio has the most travel businesses with environmental certificates. In June 2020, all these businesses will be one of the first ones in Finland to receive Sustainable Travel Finland certificate.

Posio Business Association, Posio Travel Association and Posio county work towards sustainable travel in close collaboration.

The funds from Green Key and Green Activities certificates are used towards  environmental education  in Finnish schools, including Posio elementary school and high school.

By choosing Posio as your travel destination you strongly support environmental work!

Posio is perfect for travelers who are looking for authentic experiences

Located between Kuusamo and Rovaniemi in Lapland, Posio has a population of more than 3,000 residents. It is best-known for Riisitunturi National Park and home to Finland’s famous interior design company Pentik.

Compared to Lapland’s larger and better-known destinations, Posio is a relatively unknown travel destination a situation that the region is quite happy with. Instead of vast numbers of tourists, it wants to attract travelers who are looking for authentic experiences. Both public and private sector operators in the area are committed to the development of sustainable travel.

Local travel companies have actively nurtured sustainability in their operations for years. For example, more than 90% of the staff of the region’s largest accommodation provider Holiday Village Himmerki are locally sourced who work at the center all year round. All the activities of Kota-Husky and Ylitalo Reindeer Farm are organized in terms of the animals.

This commitment is also attested to by Posio’s inclusion on the global 2020 Sustainable Destinations Top 100 list. Travel destinations that are taking determined steps towards sustainability competed for a place on this list.

The following companies based in Posio have already been granted the Sustainable Travel Finland label: Wilderness Hotel Kirikeskus , Oiva Tour , Ylitalo Reindeer Farm , Kota-Husky , Posio Outdoors , Naali Lodge , Adventure Apes , Holiday Village Himmerki , and Pentik-mäki Culture Centre .

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hiking in autumn colors

The spectacular nature destinations, and their marked trails lead you to, amazing experiences safely , photography, posio has excellent, opportunities for nature, and landscape photography, visit posio, posio is sometimes called the hidden gem of finnish lapland. find out why and see what posio has to offer for tour operators, rhythm with, explore diverse nature, and activities led by the natives.

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Travel sustainably in the Lahti Region

In the Lahti region, you can experience pure and diverse nature sustainably. Taking care of nature and lakes is a goal shared by everyone in our region. Lahti is Finland’s leading city when it comes to environmental issues, a frontrunner in climate work, a pioneer in sustainable and smart solutions and the European Green Capital 2021.

Lahti – The European Green Capital 2021

Lahti was the first Finnish city to get the title of the European Green Capital in 2021. This was an acknowledgement of the work Lahti has done for decades to develop into a more environmentally friendly and sustainable city that belongs to everyone.

Legacy of the European Green Capital – Technical Visits to Lahti

Visit Lahti organises professional, so-called techical visits, for companies in the region. Guided tours are organised in particular in companies pioneering in environmental work and clean tech businesses in Lahti that are among the elite in their industry.

On your visit, you will get to know the solutions of the City of Lahti and the ground-breaking environmental actions of city-owned companies and local businesses. Destinations include Salpakierto , Lahti Energia , Lahti Aqua and Lahden Talot rental housing provider. Please fill in the adjacent delegation visit form to book a visit.

Tips for sustainable tourism

Lahti is a city of bold environmental actions. The nature conservation work regarding Finnish Lakeland and Lake Vesijärvi has been ongoing for decades, bringing with it unique environmental expertise to the city. Our tap water, naturally filtered pure by the Salpausselkä ridges, is the best in the world!

The Lahti region provides a stunning setting for enjoying the great outdoors and clean nature. Walking, cycling, low-emission taxis and public transport are all great options for getting around Lahti! Spend your night at a hotel or cottage with environmental certification and enjoy clean and delicious locally sourced food! The Lahti region is the choice for environmentally conscious travellers!

Sustainable Round-Trips in Lakeland Finland

Let's get some fresh air!

During this round-trip you can experience the best of capital area and Finnish Lakeland in sustainable way! The tour includes accommodation either in high-end private lakeside villas, green hotels and countryside inn, local and organic food, guided urban nature tours and tips for sustainable visits, restaurants and shopping.

Duration: 9 days/8 nights

Spend a holiday in Lakeland

During this round-trip you can experience the best of Helsinki and Finnish Lakeland in sustainable way! The suppliers included in the program highlight ecological sustainability and specifically address climate change, yet also consider social sustainability. Most of them already has a certain eco-certification (Green Key, Green activities label, Nordic Swan Ecolabel, Sustainable Travel Finland label) or they fulfil other specific criteria like Helsinki Marketing’s Think Sustainably criteria.

Duration: 8 days/7 nights

Something for all the senses

The Lahti region provides a stunning setting in which to enjoy nature at its freshest and purest! Head to Salpausselkä Geopark—formed by the last Ice Age—that is currently applying for a UNESCO Global Geopark status. Or perhaps you would prefer Päijänne National Park, which consists of protected esker islands and is also part of Salpausselkä Geopark.

The high-quality specialty shops in the Lahti region tempt visitors to make finds. Whether you are looking for design, antiques, vintage fashion, nostalgia, collectibles or vintage and design furniture, we have it!

Accommodation

Hotels and cottages must comply with strict regulations in order to receive environmental certification. These include sustainable waste management, water and energy consumption and environmentally friendly suppliers.

The Lahti region serves pure local food and the best tap water in the world!

A responsible meeting arises from ecologically, socially and economically sustainable solutions. We have made a guide to help you with these choices. It reminds you of things that need to be addressed in different areas of meeting planning. Lahti Region has been awarded the Ecocompass certificate, which also indicates our commitment to responsibility.

Transportation

Short distances and well-maintained bike and pedestrian paths make walking and cycling an appealing alternative when getting around Lahti. The Lahti region also offers great cycling routes! The Lahti region’s public transport buses have the lowest emissions in Finland.

Seven environmental facts about Lahti

• 01 Lahti will be a carbon-neutral city by 2025 as the first major city in Finland.
• 02 The success story of Lahti as a pioneer in environmental expertise stretches back all the way to the 1970s and the restoration of Lake Vesijärvi.
• 03 Thanks to the long-term development of waste management, Lahti has new kinds of jobs in circular economy companies, and as much as 97% of household waste is recovered.
• 04 Lahti has already cut down its greenhouse gas emissions by 70% compared to the level of 1990.
• 05 In Lahti, public transport is carried out with a bus fleet with the lowest emissions in Finland.
• 06 Lahti is the first city in the world to introduce personal transport emissions trading for its residents.
• 07 Lahti aims to become a waste-free circular economy city by 2050.

Lahti Region Ltd is committed to sustainability and environmental work

Lahden seutu – Lahti Region Ltd has been awarded the EcoCompass environmental certificate. EcoCompass is an environmental system with 10 criteria on the basis of which companies manage their environmental responsibilities and operate sustainably. As a regional tourism organisation, Lahden seutu – Lahti Region Ltd wants to encourage other companies and partners with its operations to develop their own operations according to the principles of sustainable development. Lahden seutu – Lahti Region Ltd has also been awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland label.

Lahden Seutu – Lahti Region Ltd is also a partner company of the “ We Speak Gay ” network. With this partnership, we are committed to promoting LBGTQ inclusiveness in our own communication and promoting the development of LBGTQ tourism in our region.

Lahden Seutu – Lahti Region Oy is a signatory of The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism . By becoming signatory of this declaration we agree to implement the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net Zero as soon as possible before 2050. Lahden Seutu – Lahti Region Oy has calculated its own CO2 footprint in 2022 and published its Climate Action Plan (CAP) .

Our region is applying to become a sustainable tourism destination in Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme, and we encourage companies in the region to apply for certificates that support sustainable tourism. In practice, the sustainable operations of a tourism industry business mean minimising food waste and waste in general, using environmentally friendly detergents and supporting the local economy by using local raw materials, ingredients and services, among other things.

An important incentive is the development work of Salpausselkä Geopark. The geopark created together by six municipalities has got the UNESCO Global Geopark status in 2022. In the Global Geopark network, members strive to promote sustainable tourism and other sustainable development goals in the UN Agenda 2030. The expertise of the Salpausselkä Geopark unit supports our regional organisation on the development path of sustainable tourism.

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Home » Sustainable Finland – A Global Leader in Sustainable Travel

Sustainable Finland – A Global Leader in Sustainable Travel

Finland is dubbed one of the happiest countries in the world.  It’s known for its stunning Northern Lights, clear, crisp vodka, and free healthcare.  It boasts a world-class education system, sweaty sauna culture, and some of the most spectacular vistas on planet Earth.  It is even the rumored home of St. Nicholas!  However, Finland is also making a name for itself as a global leader in sustainable travel.

Finland is on track to be the world’s leading country in sustainable tourism by 2025 – and here’s how they’re doing it!

Sustainable Travel Finland

Finland has made significant strides in adopting sustainable practices through Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) program.  STF is a unique initiative that works to provide companies and destinations with a ‘toolkit’ for sustainable travel.  These are concrete action steps for everyday operations that will help reduce our footprint in a destination.

Finland focuses on three primary areas: climate and nature, heritage, and buying locally.

• Climate and Nature – taking steps to protect the environment
• Heritage – emphasizing respect and representation of local culture
• Buying Local – encouraging local spending to support the economic health of the communities

Sustainable Steps to Reduce Our Footprint

Finland has embraced sustainability in these areas in many ways, both big and small.  Each step forward is a lesson that we can all champion.  For example:

Visitors are encouraged to travel by boat or train when possible .

Companies like Viking Line have taken impressive steps to reduce emissions, recycle, and transition to land-based power.

Everyone is encouraged to use the metro or rent an electric car.  

Helsinki’s metro has only two lines and is a super easy way to get around the city.  And… fun fact!  It’s the northernmost metro in the world.

Electric cars are also a great option when you want to explore a little more of the area.  Fuel costs are minimal, they’re easy to drive, and have no CO2 emissions.  Charging stations are also readily available throughout the country.

Travelers can choose businesses that are labeled with the Sustainable Travel Finland green icon.

You’ll find the “sustainably certified” tag at more than 860 Finnish companies and destinations.  STF participants are constantly seeking new and better ways to mitigate the harmful environmental impacts of their operations.

Finland created a national carbon footprint calculator for its travel and tourism industry.

Recently, Finland created a national carbon footprint calculator for travel companies registered there.  It helps companies monitor their own carbon footprint and understand what actions are the most energy-consuming. They can then take the steps necessary to reduce emissions and energy consumption.

Visitors have lots of options for sustainable plays and stays.

Many Finnish attractions have adopted sustainable practices in their daily operations.  Their goal is to provide an incredible experience while encouraging guests to think and act responsibly.

Moominworld, the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, and Hawkhill are great examples of successful sustainable initiatives at work.  Click below to find out more about these progressive places.

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Find out more about amazing finland .

Intrigued?  Find out more about all of the incredible ways Finland welcomes its travelers. The Destination Dispatch team recently chatted with Heli Mendi from Visit Finland about a host of amazing travel adventures.  Check it out below!

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Sustainable Travel Finland (STF)

About this good practice

In order for the tourism industry to be able to respond to changing demand and secure its future, development must be sustainable. STF programme is free of charge and designed for all tourism stakeholders in Finland The program offers companies and destinations a toolkit for sustainable tourism development, which makes it easier to systematically adopt sustainable measures and choices into the everyday life of the region or company. The STF programme offers companies and tourism destinations a 7-step sustainable tourism development path. Each step is accompanied by criteria that comply with international standards. When the tasks are completed and criteria fulfilled, the application for the STF label is sent to a third party for review. The program, renewed every two years, ensures ongoing commitment to sustainability. STF fosters awareness and competence through educational tools and content, supported by Visit Finland Academy's 11 different sustainability training modules and ten sustainability consultants. Through the academy, Visit Finland builds the competitiveness, resilience, and competence of the entire tourism industry in Finland. The destinations and companies that undergo the entire programme and meet the criteria are awarded with STF label, and gain access to ongoing development, with the latest information on sustainable travel and tourism, marketing support, and additional visibility through Visit Finland’s channels.

Resources needed

Visit Finland is responsible for developing and delivering STF programme. The budget for development of STF in 2018-2019 was 400.000€. Visit Finland is funded by Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Additionally, measures to develop sustainable and digital growth are financed by the RRF.

Evidence of success

STF programme is widely accepted and adapted by the tourism industry in Finland as the national framework and standard for sustainable tourism. By Jan 2024, some 1,200 businesses and 65 destinations have enrolled on the programme, of which 395 businesses and 5 destinations have already been awarded with the STF label. In addition, the Sustainable Tourism Indicator System allows to measure tourism success and development needs in a completely new way.

Potential for learning or transfer

Instead of having many different sustainability schemes with various standards and criteria, STF programme delivers all required tools and information in one address, making the sustainability journey smoother for everyone. It also brings economic advantage for those committed to sustainability through added visibility. We’d like to emphasise Sustainable Tourism Indicator System built in the STF programme. The system collects data from various sources, including DMOs and tourism businesses. It allows us to understand better our strengths and development needs. For instance, we now have a better knowledge on LGBTQ+ or wheelchair friendly tourism businesses, and understanding social sustainability needs more emphasis. We have learnt, that our industry is taking serious measures on climate change mitigation, and also have various measures in use to manage, protect and restore local biodiversity. It’s this system that allows us to measure success of Finnish tourism in an entirely new way.

Further information

Sustainable travel finland.

Good practice owner

Business finland / visit finland.

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