Tourism sustainability in Helsinki

Sustainable Tourism Policy

Helsinki has outlined the sustainable tourism policy that guide all the city's tourism development efforts. Get acquainted with the principles of sustainable tourism in Helsinki (pdf).

Sustainability in the Development Programme for Tourism and Events in Helsinki 2026–2029

”Having achieved a leading position as a sustainable travel destination and event city, as evidenced by various indices and certificates, we aim to continue our ambitious sustainability work. We are investing in climate work and inclusivity, in particular. At the same time, we are taking steps towards regenerative tourism and maximising the positive impacts of events.”

Measuring Sustainability in Helsinki

Key indicators related to tourism sustainability have been consolidated onto a Power BI platform(Link leads to external service). The platform was established in the fall of 2024 and is continuously being developed.

Helsinki's Tourism Climate Work

• The climate work of Helsinki is guided by the Climate Action Plan for Tourism 2023–2026 (pdf) and the supplementary Climate Change Preparedness and Adaptation Plan 2024 for Tourism and Events in Helsinki .
• The Climate Action plan was preceded by the estimation of Helsinki's tourism emissions (pdf, in Finnish). The calculation was carried out by the Carbon Neutral Experience project together with 14 other municipalities in Uusimaa. Read the final report of the calculation (pdf). The second calculation (pdf, in Finnish) was carried out in spring 2025, with the aim of further developing the calculation model used previously. Calculating emissions for a tourism destination is exceptionally challenging, and both calculations involve considerable uncertainties. The results of the 2025 study, in particular, should be interpreted with great caution. Both calculations were conducted by Sitowise.(Link leads to external service)
• Helsinki has carried out a scenario analysis on the impacts of climate change in collaboration with the Urban Climate Leaders in Tourism group. The work was completed in January 2025.

Circular economy programme for tourism and events

In Helsinki’s Action Plan for the Circular and Sharing Economy (pdf, in Finnish), measure 23 includes a circular economy programme for tourism and events, consisting of seven components.

Helsinki Visitor Pressure

Helsinki aims to be the most sustainable tourism destination in the world. At the same time, the goal is to increase the number of visitors significantly. These dual objectives can be achieved by developing sustainable tourism holistically with the entire tourism ecosystem. One of the key factors in achieving this balance is controlling visitor volumes, both on a citywide scale and in specific areas experiencing pressure. Helsinki Visitor Pressure - Analysis and Management Plan 2024–2026

The Management of social tourism pressure in Helsinki 2025 situation analysis provides a timely picture of the social pressure created by tourism in Helsinki. A social pressure management model has been developed in the background, compiling around 40 indicators for the period 2019–2024. Explore the analysis of social tourism pressure during the 2025 summer season in the form of a blog post(Link leads to external service) (in Finnish).

Resident Involvement in Tourism Development

• According to the Development Programme for Helsinki Tourism and Events 2026–2029, city residents are encouraged to be more closely engaged in the development of tourism and events. This ensures that tourism and event development moves in a shared direction, that social acceptance remains high, and that the people of Helsinki act as proud ambassadors of their home city.
• Helsinki has an action plan for engaging residents for the years 2025–2027 (pdf, in Finnish).
• The Helsinki Tourism and Destination Management Unit conducts research every two years to gather residents' views on the impacts of tourism on the city, with the most recent study conducted in 2025 (see also prior research from years 2023, 2021(Link leads to external service) and 2019, in Finnish). Additionally, Helsinki seeks development ideas through surveys directed to locals.
• The city also organizes public hearings and actively communicates the current state of tourism and upcoming projects. The yearly resident involvement report describes the results from various studies and surveys, as well as the resulting actions: see the reports from 2026, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (in Finnish). See also the recording of the 2026 resident involvement event(Link leads to external service) and the recording of the 2024 resident involvement event(Link leads to external service) (in Finnish).

Inclusivity in Tourism and Events

According to the Development Programme for Helsinki Tourism and Events 2026–2029, efforts to promote sustainability in tourism will focus on inclusivity, in particular. The 2026–2029 action plan for inclusive tourism and events (Inklusiivisen matkailun ja tapahtumien toimintasuunnitelma 2026–2029, PDF in Finnish) will guide the development of inclusivity in Helsinki over the coming years.

Helsinki has implemented a guide for the sale of Sami products in the tourism sector (pdf, in Finnish) in 2024. The Sami are the only indigenous people in Europe, and their culture and traditions are a significant part of Finland's identity. It is important that the Sami culture is respected and that there is no cultural appropriation in tourism.

Certifications and Indices

Promoting sustainable tourism should be credible, measurable, and comparable. Opportunities for greenwashing should actively be reduced, and Helsinki aims to set an example.

• In 2024, 2025 and 2026, Helsinki was ranked number one on the international Global Destination Sustainability Index(Link leads to external service) that measures the overall sustainability of destinations.
• In March 2025, Helsinki was granted the Green Destinations GSTC certificate(Link leads to external service), being the first big city (over half a million residents) to do so. See the certificate.
• In 2026, Helsinki was awarded Visit Finland’s national Sustainable Travel Finland label.
• In May 2026, the Helsinki City Executive Office (which the Tourism and Destination Management Unit is also a part of) was awarded the EcoCompass Certificate for managing and developing environmental matters in accordance with the Finnish EcoCompass environmental management system.
• The office building of the Helsinki Tourism and Destination Management Unit at Kansakoulukatu 3 was issued a LEED Gold certificate in November 2022 (rating tool LEED v 4 Core& Shell). In addition to this, Kansakoulukatu 3 aims for responsible energy use: the building electricity, district heating and district cooling are all CO2-free. Certificate of the source of the heating (in Finnish).

Feedback regarding the implementation and/or content of the certifications can be given by using this form(Link leads to external service).

Sustainability reporting

Helsinki tourism sustainability report for 2024. The report follows the VSME standard and is complemented by several tourism-specific sustainability indicators based on the SF‑MST, ETIS and GSTC frameworks.

Helsinki’s action plan for regenerative tourism 2025–2027

When it comes to regenerative tourism, Helsinki strives to make tourism benefit the entire city – its people, culture and nature. Tourism is becoming increasingly important for the city as a whole.

Helsinki’s action plan for regenerative tourism 2025–2027