Helsinki has achieved the Green Destinations GSTC certificate, meeting the rigorous criteria set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The certification, which covers over 280 sustainability criteria, reflects Helsinki’s strong commitment to environmental, cultural, social, and economic sustainability as well as sustainable governance.

Commitment to sustainable tourism

The GSTC criteria were developed in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation), the United Nations Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the Rainforest Alliance. Helsinki’s achievement follows years of strategic focus on sustainability, supported by the city’s tourism industry. Most hotel rooms and travel facilities in Helsinki are already environmentally certified, reinforcing the city’s leadership in sustainable tourism.