Responsible Vuokatti Commitment and Sustainable Travel Finland Certificate
About this good practice
Vuokatti tourism area in Kainuu (marketing name Actic Lakeland) is committed to developing and promoting sustainable tourism. In 2024, Vuokatti Tourism Ltd, responsible of marketing and promoting the area, was granted the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label, making it the 7th tourism area in Finland to receive this recognition. The STF label is awarded to tourism destinations where at least half of the businesses engaged in international tourism have certified their sustainability efforts and received the STF label.
As a concrete measure in the Vuokatti tourism area, Responsible Vuokatti Commitment has been developed together with local businesses. This also applies to those companies that do not yet have a certificate or STF label. The commitment promises that everyone is involved in the development and verification of responsible practices.
1. Together, we make Vuokatti a great place to live and visit
2. Everyone is welcome in Vuokatti
3. We care for nature
4. We encourage low emission travel
5. Vuokatti is a great place to visit all year round
The businesses in the Vuokatti tourism area are committed to pursuing the path of sustainability according to their own capabilities. By now, fourteen companies in the area have signed the joint Responsible Vuokatti commitment.
The process of receiving this recognition was made possible due to a ERDF co-funded project "Uudistavaa Vetovoimaa Matkailuun", implemented in 2024 (duration one year).
Resources needed
Sustainable Travel Finland is a national programme administered by Visit Finland, which includes 7 steps for companies and destinations to verify their responsible operations. The program is free of charge, but one of its criteria for companies is an audited, paid certificate. Updated every 2 years.
Evidence of success
14 companies in the area have signed the joint Responsible Vuokatti commitment. Here are some practical examples of sustainable actions by STF labelled companies within this tourism are: Hotels and the Ski Resort in the area use 100 % renewable energy. Restaurants prioritize local food. Companies have invested in recycling and air source heat pumps. Some of the hotels were granted both STF label and Green Key sertificate. Such recognition helps to market Vuokatti as a sustainable destination.
Potential for learning or transfer
There are more than 1300 companies on the STF path and 425 companies have received the label (status 20.05.2024). Similar national programmes exist in Norway, Slovenia and Switzerland. The budget for development of STF in 2018-2019 was 400.000€.
Such recognition helps to market tourist areas as sustainability and responsibility labelled destinations, as sustainability issues in the tourism industry are becoming more important both for the companies and customers.
While receiving STF label requires going through the auditing process resulting in obtaining a sertificate, the Responsible commitment can also be applies to those companies that do not yet have a certificate or STF label. The commitment promises that everyone is involved in the development and verification of responsible practices.
Further information
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
