Lahti region receives Sustainable Travel Finland Destination Label

Visit Finland awards sustainability certification to Lahti region

The Lahti Region has been awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) Destination Label by Visit Finland. This certification recognizes the region's longstanding commitment to responsible business practices and the development of sustainable tourism services.

Lahti as a pioneer in sustainability

Located in the Päijät-Häme region, the city of Lahti is considered a European leader in environmental and climate action. In 2021, Lahti became the first Finnish city to be named European Green Capital. The city aims to be the first large municipality in Finland to achieve carbon neutrality, with a broader goal of reaching nature-positivity by 2030. A key driver of sustainable tourism in the region is the Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark, spanning six municipalities. This geopark provides a solid foundation for developing and promoting sustainable tourism initiatives.

STF label: a result of collective efforts

The regional tourism organization Visit Lahti has been part of the national Sustainable Travel Finland Program since 2020, coordinated by Visit Finland. Numerous tourism businesses in the region have joined the development program, with many now holding their own STF company labels. “We are extremely proud that so many of our local businesses have committed to this path with us, and that we have now received the STF destination label as a region,” says Raija Forsman, CEO of Visit Lahti. The STF program follows a rigorous seven-step development model, aligned with international sustainability standards. Participating companies must audit their operations, obtain a sustainability-supporting certification, and undergo regular assessments before receiving the STF label.

“More and more international travelers and tour operators demand credible sustainability credentials from tourism businesses. The STF label is a visible sign of responsible operations,” emphasizes Arto Asikainen, STF Coordinator at Visit Lahti.

For Hanna Muoniovaara, sustainability expert at Visit Finland, the broad involvement of municipalities, businesses, and local residents in Lahti is particularly noteworthy: “This participatory approach, combined with opportunities for tourists to engage in nature and cultural heritage conservation, demonstrates how sustainable tourism can be successfully implemented at a regional level.”

In parallel with the STF certification, Visit Lahti is developing a new tourism strategy for Päijät-Häme, to be published in summer 2025. Raija Forsman concludes: “This award is an important milestone, but sustainable development requires continuous effort and commitment.”

More on Lahti (in Finnish).

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