CRITERIA, Green Tourism of Finland (GTF) - Criteria - in Englis

Criteria for Green Tourism of Finland® - Trademark

1. Environmental quality programme and standards

Environmental quality programme is required from all providers of hospitality services. The

programme must determine on-site practice including measures for energy saving, use of raw

materials, water conservation, recycling and acquisitions.

The environmental quality programme will be applied according to the criteria supplied by Green

Tourism of Finland. Application of other relevant and existing tourism environmental quality

programmes is negotiable. The implementation of the programme will start with self-evaluation in

the company, followed by designing the programme. The programme will the audited. The criteria

will be updated according to current standards on regular intervals.

2.Safety Plan

Safety plan is required from providers of hospitality services and activity services. Activity service

provider must demonstrate current and valid safety plan for his operations and the operational

environment (e.g. national park or recreational area) and the service provider must demonstrate

knowledge of the content of the plan. Activity service provider must have a valid certificate for

provision of first-aid (Finnish standard) and carry a first aid kit. Also the accommodation provider

must be able to provide first aid.

3. Utilization of local resources

The service provider must prioritise use of local products, services and aim to employ local people

when applicable.

4. Professional and sustainable communication

Communication with customers must be open and practice must be transparent. Misleading

marketing will not be tolerated and marketing should not contradict environmental and nature

protection requirements. Communication must to present erroneous or misleading picture of the

natural environment or e.g. snowmobiling.

5. Networking and planning as a basis of business

Customer satisfaction is measured regularly. Customers are given the opportunity to give feedback

in an easy and anonymous way. Additionally, customer satisfaction is measured on a regular basis

by collecting feedback in written form. There is a recognition about the importance of customer

feedback especially in the provision of activities. Subcontractors not having the right to use the

trademark are not used.

6. Support and use of public transportation

It is recognized that the biggest environmental impact is caused by travel to the destination. There is

an effort to reduce these impacts by supporting the customer in using public transportation (e.g.

Green Tourism of Finland 2010 1/2

train, bus, car pooling). Customers arriving by public transportation to destination are supported by

the provision of transfer to accommodation and back. In marketing materials, the alternative of

using public transport is communicated to the customer.

7. Non motorized local transport in activities

The aim of experiences in nature is to promote the physical and mental well-being of the customer.

The activity should be based on moving by means of non-motorized transport (walking, cycling,

canoeing, rowing, cross-country skiing, snow shoes, horse). Transfer to activities can be organized

by bicycles or co-transport. To ensure equal access, people moving with wheelchair are allowed to

use motorized transport.

8. Minimization of environmental impact and respect of nature

The negative environmental impacts of nature tourism products are minimized. In the provision of

service, litter free conduct is followed. Group size is small (12-15 persons). Use of firewood is kept

to minimum. Groups should not be brought to ecologically fragile areas (wetlands, dry forests prone

to erosion) or the group will stay on marked trails in these areas. The habitat of endangered species

is avoided and information concerning these areas is kept confidential. Damage to living plants

should be minimized. Material from nature for e.g. environmental education, is taken with respect

and minimal damage. Use of dead matter (dead branches, cones, stones) is preferred over living

material. The guide should convey respectful attitude toward nature.

In wellness services, only environmentally friendly cosmetics and materials are used. Treatments

are based on muscular strength and simple equipment. Electrical equipment are not used. Towels,

sheets and utensils are not disposable. After washing or cleaning they are used again. For wellness

treatments provided in nature principles of outdoor product apply.

9. Principle of experiential environmental education

Products should use methods of environmental education when applicable. Methods of

environmental education will make products experiential and increase customers interest in and

love of nature. The guide will convey respectful attitude toward nature. The goal should be that

customer’s awareness and knowledge of nature will increase. Even more important is to increase

enthusiasm and attachment toward nature.

In wellness products nature should be present as central element. Treatments and exercises are

located in nature when applicable. The therapist/custodian should convey respectful toward nature

and aim at increasing customer’s knowledge and interest in nature.

10. Local culture

Local knowledge, elements of local culture and stories are integral parts of the product which is

aiming at increasing awareness of the customer of local culture. In wellness product Finnish oils,

herbs and other necessary materials are used. When possible, ingredients of the treatment are

retrieved directly from local nature and area. Wellness treatments may utilize elements of local

culture when applicable.

Green Tourism of Finland® 2011

ADRESS:  

Green Tourism of Finland®

Anttilantie 7

82380 Tolosenmäki

Suomi/Finland

e-mail: greentourism@greentourism.fi

Mrs. Päivi Yuval

e-mail: paivi.yuval@greentourism.fi

MR. Eero Ikonen

e-mail: eero.ikonen@klk.fi

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Green Tourism of Finland® - Suomi