Vuokatti has been awarded the prestigious STF label for responsible tourism

29.10.2024 09:00

Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme (STF) helps travel professionals make more sustainable choices when creating travel itineraries to Finland.

STF-label is awarded only to those travel destinations where at least 50 % of the businesses engaged in international tourism has certified their sustainability efforts and received Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel label.

– In Vuokatti, this goal for 50 % was achieved faster than planned, which shows the strong commitment of entrepreneurs in the area to developing sustainable tourism, says Ms. Aija Laukkanen, CEO of Vuokatti Tourism Ltd.

– The original goal was to receive the label in 2025, but we were happy to apply for in advance. We are very proud of the companies in our region that have embraced responsibility as part of their operations, Aija Laukkanen rejoices.

Ms. Liisa Kokkarinen, responsible tourism expert at Visit Finland, which awarded the STF label, says that a particularly positive aspect of Vuokatti’s development is the strong emphasis on year-round tourism, which is reflected in concrete tourism products and services, as well as in communication and the vision for the area. In addition, in Vuokatti the needs of tourists are met effectively through seamless cooperation across municipal and industry boundaries, which benefits not only tourism but also local residents.

Label matters

The STF label is not only a recognition, but also obliges companies and tourist destinations to regularly update their operations and set new sustainability goals. This continuous development ensures that tourism in Vuokatti will continue to be a responsible and the destination attracts tourists who value sustainability.

Laukkanen emphasizes that future travelers will increasingly choose an operator that can verify that they are operating responsibly. This is particularly evident in the wishes of international tour operators, but more and more individual travelers want to choose a sustainable option. According to the sustainability report published this year by accommodation booking system Booking.com, up to 75 % of travelers want to travel more sustainably in the next 12 months.

– The most popular concrete measures are reducing energy consumption (57 %) and using more sustainable means of transport (54 %). Almost half of travelers (45 %) find it attractive to find a certified responsible accommodation company, says Laukkanen.

Responsibility is a long-term effort

Responsible tourism coach Ms. Anu Nylund from Mood of Finland says that sustainability work is long-term and requires resources. Many companies operate very responsibly, but the resources are not always sufficient to document the .

– However, it is important that companies do this work themselves so that responsibility becomes truly embedded in their business.

Among the companies in the Vuokatti area that have received their own sustainability label are Break Sokos Hotel Vuokatti, Vuokatti Ski Resort and Vuokatti Sport Resort.

– Break Sokos Hotel Vuokatti uses 100 % renewable energy. The hotel has invested in recycling and there are recycling bins in both the hallways and in the hotel rooms. Guests are encouraged to save water and electricity in the rooms and the hotel’s rental bikes or public transport are recommended for getting around. There are charging points for electric cars in the hotel yard, says Ms. Tiina Rimpiläinen, Hotel Manager at Break Sokos Hotel Vuokatti.

Ms. Sari Korhonen from Vuokatti Ski Resort says that the ski resort uses electricity produced 100 % from renewable natural resources.

– In addition, lake water is used to make snow on the slopes, and most of the water returns to the water system when the snow melts. Used rental equipment is sold to consumers, which keeps the rental equipment in good condition and the recycled equipment bring joy to its buyers for a long time, Sari Korhonen explains.

Ms. Jessika Rolig from Vuokatti Sport Resort, the latest to receive the STF label, is delighted with both the STF label and Vuokatti’s commitment to sustainable travel.

– The Sustainable Travel Finland destination label achieved by Vuokatti demonstrates our strong commitment to responsibility as a destination. We at Vuokatti Sport Resort also just achieved our own STF label, and we are committed to further developing our responsible operations. We believe that both the companies’ STF labels and Vuokatti’s STF destination label are central to the future success of tourism, and we want to act as an example of responsible tourism.

More information:

Ms. Aija Laukkanen
CEO, Vuokatti Tourism Ltd

Mobile +358 40 611 6950
www.vuokatti.fi/en