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 element of local culture when applicable. Green Tourism of Finland® Anttilantie 7 82380 Tolosenmäki/ Finland e-mail: greentourism@greentourism.fi skype: green.tourism11

1. Criteria for Green Tourism of Finland®, eco - label
1. Environmental quality program and standards
Environmental quality program is required from all providers of hospitality
services. The program must determine on-site practice including measures
for energy, raw materials, water conservation, recycling and acquisitions.
The environmental quality program will be applied according to the criteria
supplied by Green Tourism of Finland. Application of other relevant and
existing tourism environmental quality programs is negotiable. The
implementation of the program will start with self-evaluation in the company,
followed by designing the program. The program 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. Alto the
accommodation provider must be able to provide first aid.
3. Exploitation of local resources

2. The service provider must prioritize 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 electronic form. 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
destination. There is an effort to reduce these impacts by supporting the
customer in using public transportation (e.g. 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

3. The aim of experiences in nature is to promote the physical and mental
wellbeing of the customer. The (activity) product 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
sized are 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. Treatment 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

4. 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 element of local
culture when applicable.
Green Tourism of Finland®
Anttilantie 7
82380 Tolosenmäki/ Finland
e-mail: greentourism@greentourism.fi
skype: green.tourism11