Finnish tourism industry taking action - the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism
Travelling shouldn’t be the privilege of today but safeguarded for the future generations as well. Meanwhile, climate change is threatening the planetary health, and tourism industry is calculated to be responsible for approx. 8% of the global emissions.
Securing the freedom to travel and the business opportunities and jobs within the tourism industry means proactive climate action. Instead of taking the blame, the travel industry stakeholders in Finland have decided to take action. As of today, the country has the highest number of signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in tourism. In this panel we hear more about the global declaration, how the tourism industry aims to safeguard itself and the concrete actions the signatories take to secure what is most important to us and the industry: our pure and pristine environment and Finnish lifestyle deeply rooted in nature.
The moderators and the panelists are all signatories of Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.
Moderators: Petra Blinnikka, Jamk University of Applied Sciences/ICRT Finland & Liisa Kokkarinen, Visit Finland Panelists: Anu Nylund, Mood of Finland, Matti Pollari, Visit Tampere, Tuukka Sutinen, Levi Ski Resort & Teemu Tuomarla, Haltia Lake Lodge
The Matkatieto seminars are free and you can register via THIS LINK / All that signs up to the seminars will get a ticket to the fair, so if you don´t have it, contact jenni.kemppainen@smal.fi.
Petra Blinnikka, Jamk University of Applied Sciences/ICRT Finland
Petra Blinnikka is a coordinator of International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) and senior lecturer of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Jamk University of Applied Sciences. Petra has been working within responsibility issues in tourism both in local, regional, national and international level. She has worked as a project manager in several tourism development projects, mainly focusing on sustainability issues and accessibility.
Anu Nylund, Mood of Finland
Anu Nylund (M.Sc, Tourism research) is a professional and entrepreneur in the tourism industry, who has been doing versatile tasks in the tourism industry for over 25 years and specializes in responsible business and regenerative tourism. Mood of Finland company has a certificate and STF label certifying responsibility.
Tuukka Sutinen, Levi Ski Resort
Tuukka Sutinen works as a Sustainability Manager for Oy Levi Ski Resort Ltd, the company responsible for on-piste services in Levi. He has worked in a variety of positions in the ski resort industry. His current responsibilities include maintaining the company's ISO14001 environmental management system and developing a sustainability programme.
Liisa Kokkarinen, Visit Finland
Liisa Kokkarinen is Visit Finland's leading expert in sustainable development, and she is passionate about using tourism as a catalyst for better. Liisa firmly believes, that investing in climate action and sustainable tourism secures the long-term viability of the entire industry, creates profoundly positive impact, and ensures the continued happiness for everyone - now and in the future.
Matti Pollari, Visit Tampere
Matti Pollari is working as a project manager in Visit Tampere, developing sustainable and carbon neutral tourism in Tampere Region. An environmental engineer with rare understanding of marketing and service design, Matti has a long background also in bike travel route and concept development. Best holiday starts right from the front door of your home, on a bicycle of course.
Teemu Tuomarla, Haltia Lake Lodge
Teemu Tuomarla is CEO and co-founder of Haltia Lake Lodge, a nature boutique hotel operating in the vicinity of Nuuksio National Park, Espoo. In addition to holding the Green Key certificate and STF label, Haltia Lake Lodge was announced as ”Best Sustainable Hotel: Europe” at World Boutique Hotel Awards 2022. Teemu has a broad experience in various sales, management and consulting positions in travel agencies before becoming a full-time nature tourism entrepreneur in early 2021.