It is currently essential to include sustainable development in the growth of the tourism industry, to ensure the well-being of present but also future generations. This is why Visit Finland has developed a national programme consisting of a 7-step sustainable tourism development path designed to help establishments and destinations in Finland achieving their sustainable transition.
Photo: Visit Finland
The goal is to help companies and destinations to adopt sustainable practices and make more sustainable choices in their everyday business. The programme adapts the international sustainable tourism programmes and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the characteristics of the national territory and to the regional needs. It is a government-funded programme that is free of charge for destinations and companies.
The Sustainable Travel Finland label has been created to gather all the sustainable establishments and destinations in Finland, making it easier for travel trade and travellers to recognise tourism companies and destinations that are highly involved in sustainable development. The label is only awarded to the establishments and destinations that have undergone the entire Sustainable Travel Finland programme and fulfilled the criteria. Once the label has been awarded, regular audits ensure that the establishments and destinations keep working towards the improvement of sustainable standards and confirm the renewal of the label.
As part of the process, companies are required to get certified by one of the 20 Sustainable Travel Finland approved standards and Green Key is proud to be one of them to ensure that tourism accommodations, attractions, restaurants and campsites & holiday parks follow strict environmental criteria. There are currently 118 Green Key awarded sites in Finland and it is an amazing opportunity for Green Key to grow its influence as the leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry.
You can access the full article about Sustainable Travel Finland label here.