WORKING TOWARDS MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Human well-being and survival depends on the health of nature, plants, and animals. For us, caring for nature is a way of being and doing. We believe that every one can influence climate change, the biodiversity of nature and the survival of all endangered animal species. We believe that we can influence the quality of life for the human and animal generations that follow us.

Participating in the protection of forests and nature is easy. You can, for example:

• Purchase forest areas protected by the NATURE HERITAGE FOUNDATION. With only one euro, you get two square meters of primeval forest protected!
• Choose ways of traveling that are more favorable for the climate, such as trains and buses.
• Favor local travel to near by destinations as well as small and local service providers.
• Plant trees! One large tree can produce enough oxygen for the needs of 2-4 people.
• Support and fund the activities of eg. the Finnish Nature Conservation Association, WWF, Greenpeace and other organizations aiming to protect nature in your local area.
• Recycle clothes, waste, furniture, and all other recyclable items.
• Favor vegetarian and local food.
• Save energy, water, and electricity.
• Avoid unnecessary acquisitions and single-use items.
• Calculate your own carbon footprint with the Finnish Environment Centre’s Ilmastodieetti.fi calculator.

Our actions

Helsinki Declaration

Uudenmaan Seuramatkat Oy has signed the Helsinki Declaration, committing us to act for sustainable tourism.

The Helsinki Declaration is a commitment by Finland’s tourism industry to sustainable development. The declaration is a company’s commitment to start developing its operations in a more sustainable direction. By signing the declaration, companies and organizations commit to principles based on which they implement their own concrete measures.

Link to Helsinki declaration

The Helsinki Declaration process is coordinated by the Finnish Travel Agency Association SMAL.

EU’s COSME – SUSTOUR project (2022 – 2023)

Uudenmaan Seuramatkat Oy is participating in the EU’s COSME-funded SUSTOUR project in 2022 – 2023.

The Sustour Carbon management program, or carbon dioxide emissions management program, comprises guidance, training, and certification. The project is produced by Travelife for Tour Operators and Travel Agencies. The training system is tailored for travel agencies and tour operators, with the aim of minimizing carbon dioxide emissions in our travel packages. The ultimate goal is 0% carbon dioxide emissions in travel packages by 2030.

In Finland, the project’s partner is the Finnish Travel Agency Association SMAL.

Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) – For Sustainable Tourism

We are participating in the Visit Finland Sustainable Travel Finland program aiming to achieve Sustainable Travel Finland certification by 2025.

For more information about sustainable destinations in Finland click here.

Future actions: Commitment to ‘zero emission reductions’ in accordance with the Glasgow Declaration

The Glasgow Declaration emphasizes the urgent need for action to combat climate change in the tourism sector. Its aim is to reinforce commitments that support global goals to reduce emissions by half over the next decade and achieve Net Zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050. Source: The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism.

More information about the program: The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism

Uudenmaan Seuramatkat acts to promote more sustainable tourism

• We produce bus trips for local travel
• We produce bus trips, tours and travel packages for domestic travel
• We produce bus trips, tours and travel packages for international travel
• Our charter coaches are operated with 100% renewable fuel NesteMY made from waste and residues. Operations with Hyvinkään Liikenne Oy.
• We prefer local services and operators
• We prefer locally prepared food made from local ingredients
• We prefer accommodation options that are committed to and involved in developing sustainable tourism
• We prefer responsible shipping companies
• We prefer responsible airlines and direct flights
• We support conservation work when possible
• We have purchased ancient forest for protection through the Nature Heritage Foundation
• We have enabled our customers to plant trees within their tour programs
• We have adopted our own beehive. See why bees are essential to support human and animal life on Earth.
• We have taken action to calculate our tour package’s carbon footprint.
• We are active in developing efficient ways to promote the green transition in tourism business in co-operation with our local Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) HelsinkiNorth Ry

We arrange for groups to participate in various volunteer work and jobs for the benefit of nature and produce tailor-made programs including everything from transportation to accommodation and food. For example:

• Eradicating harmful invasive species
• Tree planting
• Trash collection tour
• Nature conservation education
• Guided introduction to the operation of a beehive
• Regenerative tourism packages and related programs and excursions

Contact us if you are interested in our tailor-made sustainable travel products. We will be pleased to help you 🙂

Email us at: info@uudenmaanseuramatkat.fi