Helsinki Achieves a Leading Sustainable Destination
Dear Educator,
It’s official—Visit Finland has awarded Helsinki the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label as of April 2026. As a pilot city for the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) programme since 2019, Helsinki has worked hard to set the standard for responsible tourism. This achievement is the result of years of collaboration and dedication across the city, and we’re delighted to celebrate just how far these efforts have brought us.
At VisitEDUFinn, we are honoured to be part of this achievement as an organisation based in Helsinki, holding the STF label since 2021. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our own practices; and we are proud to offering Teacher Training courses focused on sustainability—empowering educators to make a real difference for the future.
Congratulations to all the organisations across Helsinki whose hard work and commitment have made this possible. We are truly proud to be part of this inspiring community, and we reaffirm our dedication to advancing sustainable practices every day. Together, we’re making Helsinki a true leader in responsible travel.
How does a city qualify for the Sustainable Travel Finland label?
There are two key criteria: a destination must either hold a GSTC-approved certification or have at least 51% of its international tourism businesses certified with the STF label. Thanks to the outstanding involvement of Helsinki’s tourism sector, the city goes above and beyond—meeting both requirements taking the top spot in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index for both 2024 and 2025, and awarded the GSTC-approved Green Destinations certificate in 2025 setting an impressive example for others aiming for sustainable travel excellence.
Learn more about the Sustainable Travel Finland Programme.
A Massive Team Effort!
Helsinki’s success wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our local businesses. From hotels and tour operators to restaurants and educational providers, so many of us in the city have embraced sustainable practices and made real change happen.
Jukka Punamäki, Senior Advisor responsible for developing sustainable tourism, shared his thoughts on the journey:
“When we joined the Sustainable Travel Finland programme in 2018, I couldn’t have guessed how much work achieving the label would require. The programme is comprehensive and demands massive efforts from both large and small companies. We can now proudly say we have reached the finish line. A huge thank you goes to the businesses that put themselves on the line for our shared goal. The result is not just the STF label, but our position as the world’s leading sustainable travel destination.”
And speaking of sustainability, we have an Erasmus Plus teacher training course on this important topic in Helsinki, Finland!
Join our confirmed course Sustainability and Circular Economy: Practical Approach to Wicked Problems in Helsinki from 19 to 25 July 2026!
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