Sustainable travel is an important topic, especially in this day and age. How can we enjoy the beauty of Lakeland Finland in such a way that nature, as beautiful as it is fragile, is preserved for future generations? And what aspects besides environmental protection does sustainable travel involve? With the STF label (Sustainable Travel Finland) developed by Visit Finland, more and more tourist businesses in Lakeland Finland are becoming visible. There is no question about it: when it comes to sustainability, this region is a world leader – for travel with a good feeling.
What is actually sustainable travel?
We encounter sustainability as a buzzword in a wide variety of contexts. Basically, sustainable action is about using resources as carefully as possible. How can we satisfy our current needs in such a way that our actions do not harm future generations? The regenerative capacity of ecosystems and living beings plays a central role here.
In terms of traveling, this means that we should try to use the most environmentally friendly means of transport possible. When it comes to local accommodation, we can, for example, pay attention to electricity generation from renewable energies or water- and energy-saving practices. For restaurants, it could be the use of locally produced ingredients. But sustainable travel is more than that: it also involves how people treat each other. In Lakeland Finland, we pay attention to responsible behaviour and consideration for our planet, our fellow human beings and all creatures.
Sustainable Travel Finland – a label you can rely on
Visit Finland has developed the Sustainable Travel Finland label to help you to recognize tourism businesses and services that have made a special commitment to sustainability. With STF-labelled companies, you can be sure that transparent measures are taken to reduce any harmful effects of the company’s activities. The STF label stands for the company’s commitment to the three pillars of sustainable development: environmental, socio-cultural and economic. One of the criteria is to obtain at least one certification, which is verified by a third party.
Learn more about sustainable travel in Finland and the STF label ↗
STF-labelled businesses in Lakeland Finland
More and more tourism businesses in Lakeland Finland have been awarded the STF label. These include numerous hotels and resorts such as Solo Sokos Hotel Lahden Seurahuone, Lehmonkärki Resort, Tervalepikon Torpat cottages, GreenStar Hotel Lahti, Hotel Keurusselkä, Urpolan Kartano (Urpola Manor House), Eerikkilä Sport & Outdoor Resort, Lapland Hotels Tampere and Arena, Break Sokos Hotel Koli or Aparthotel Lietsu in Joensuu.
Other STF-labelled tourism destinations include Särkänniemi Amusement Park and Tampere Hall and Moomin Museum in Tampere, Serlachius Museums in Mänttä-Vilppula, Säynätsalo Town Hall, tour and experience provider Äksyt Ämmät and Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark. Secto Rally Finland was the first major event in Finland to be part of the STF network.
Finland as a model country in sustainability
Sustainability has always been a priority in Lakeland Finland, even beyond the STF label. Finland is a responsible country. The people have lived from and with nature for generations and have a high degree of sensitivity when it comes to protecting their own habitat. Many companies in Lakeland Finland operate responsibly even without the label – simply because they have always done so.
Legislation, many companies’ own motivation and operating models support sustainable development. A symbol of Finland’s commitment to sustainability is the nomination of the city of Lahti as European Green Capital 2021.
Learn more about Lahti as European Green Capital 2021 ↗
Further aspects of sustainable travel
Sustainability is much more than just environmental friendliness. If we look specifically at sustainable travel in Lakeland Finland, aspects such as preserving the local culture come into focus. Especially when travelling, we should be considerate of each other. Ethics is also a part of responsibility. This applies, for example, to the way we treat animals on husky farms or moose and other wild animals in zoos. Do the animals have enough space? Do they get high-quality food? Do we humans treat them in a manner appropriate to their species?
Everybody is welcome in Lakeland Finland
Inclusion is another important point when it comes to sustainable travel. Lakeland Finland is a safe travel destination for all people, no matter what colour you are or who you love. Some places, such as Säynatsalo Town Hall or Revontuli Resort, as well as the tourism organisation Visit Lahti show this openly with the “We Speak Gay” sign. In summer, the LGBTQIA+ community meets at numerous Pride events in Lakeland Finland. Tervetuloa – welcome!
Learn more about LGBTQIA+-friendly travel in Jyväskylä Region ↗
Taking the bus to nature and cultural destinations
When you spend your holiday in Lakeland Finland, you do not necessarily need a car. More and more attractive nature destinations are easily accessible by public transport. For example, on summer weekends you can take the comfortable Outdoor Express shuttle bus from the city of Tampere to the Seitseminen, Helvetinjärvi and Isojärvi National Parks. The Art Express takes culture-loving travellers to the Serlachius Museums and their new Art Sauna in Mänttä-Vilppula. Your journey there starts in the centre of Tampere.
Learn more about sustainable mobility in Tampere Region ↗