Salpausselkä Geopark in southern Finland will retain its UNESCO Global Geopark status until the beginning of 2030 following a successful re-evaluation process by UNESCO. The renewed recognition highlights not only the geological importance of the region, but also the growing role of sustainable nature tourism in Finland’s international tourism strategy. Salpausselkä Geopark originally joined UNESCO’s global network in 2022 and has now successfully passed its first four-year reassessment.
Regions such as Salpausselkä reflect a wider tourism trend in Finland towards nature-based experiences, regional storytelling and sustainable travel development. International demand for quieter destinations, outdoor activities and flexible round trips continues to increase, particularly among travelers looking for alternatives to traditional city tourism. The geopark stretches across several municipalities in the Päijät-Häme region and combines geological heritage, cultural landscapes and educational activities with tourism development.
Over the coming years, Finland plans to further strengthen the international visibility of its UNESCO geoparks. Visit Finland is working together with regional tourism organisations and geoparks to promote these destinations internationally. The aim is to support year-round tourism growth and attract more international visitors interested in outdoor travel, sustainability and authentic Nordic experiences.
Several municipalities within the geopark area are continuing to invest in visitor infrastructure, nature trails and tourism services connected to the region’s landscape and cultural heritage. The development reflects a broader Nordic tourism trend, where smaller destinations increasingly position themselves through sustainability, local identity and authentic nature experiences.
More on Salpausselkä Geopark in Finland.
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