Sustainable travel in Häme – travel experiences on nature’s terms

Häme is an ideal destination for sustainable travel. The region offers a diverse range of activities and is easily accessible from Finland’s major cities by public transport.

Many businesses in Häme are committed to sustainability. One notable example is Eerikkilä Sport & Outdoor Resort, where sustainability shapes daily operations—from energy consumption to the overall guest experience.

According to Marketing Manager Laura Sirén and Director of Finance, Administration and HR Tia Kymäläinen, Eerikkilä’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond words; it is embedded in practical, everyday actions.

– At Eerikkilä, we are constantly working to reduce our environmental impact. We carefully consider, for instance, our energy sources and how we heat our facilities and sports fields. Environmental responsibility guides our everyday decisions and actions, Sirén explains.

Eerikkilä has been awarded the Green Key certification, which plays a key role in guiding its operations.

– Green Key is an internationally recognised eco-label for the tourism industry that we have held for years. It supports our efforts and helps us continuously develop our operations, says Sirén.

At Eerikkilä, sustainable travel means easy access to nature combined with a genuine commitment to protecting it. The resort’s operations are strongly shaped by its natural surroundings. Sirén notes that guests are often amazed by the proximity of the outdoors.

– The Ruostejärvi recreation area begins right at our doorstep, offering a variety of hiking trails. The lake provides opportunities for swimming, ice swimming, canoeing, and other activities. Two national parks, Torronsuo and Liesjärvi, are also located nearby, says Sirén.

Activities in nature are carried out in a responsible way.

– We always follow marked trails and avoid creating new ones. We guide our groups in responsible outdoor practices: leaving no litter behind, respecting the nesting peace of birds, and preserving the natural environment, Sirén explains.

With numerous buildings and sports facilities, Eerikkilä’s energy consumption is significant, making it a key focus area.

– We use electricity generated entirely from wind power. This is one of the most significant recent measures we have taken to reduce our climate impact and carbon footprint. In addition, we have operated our own solar power plant with over 1,400 panels since 2020, says Tia Kymäläinen.

Alongside large-scale initiatives, many small everyday actions are also taken to support sustainability, and customers are actively involved in this work. Guests are encouraged to use water and food responsibly, and practices such as waste sorting and reducing food waste are embedded in daily operations.

– The introduction of smart food waste tracking systems in our restaurant in spring 2025 has already reduced plate waste by more than 50 per cent, Kymäläinen notes.

Moreover, customers contribute to sustainability simply by choosing Eerikkilä. As a non-profit foundation, all revenue is reinvested into its activities, particularly in the development of football, floorball, and futsal.

At Eerikkilä, sustainability extends beyond environmental responsibility. It also includes promoting the wellbeing of staff and guests, ensuring a safe operating environment, fostering cooperation, and strengthening a sense of community.

People and wellbeing are at the core of Eerikkilä’s sustainability programme, and this is clearly reflected in its services.

– Our services are fundamentally designed to support people’s wellbeing. We provide opportunities for healthy nutrition, recovery, and active leisure, Sirén explains.

Supporting the local community is also an important aspect of sustainability.

– We aim to strengthen regional vitality by using local services and offering locally sourced food in our restaurant. This is something that individual consumers also value, says Sirén.

Safety at Eerikkilä covers both physical and psychological aspects, with clearly defined procedures in place. Everyone is treated with respect, equality, and fairness, and the goal is to make every guest feel welcome, regardless of their background.

– Eerikkilä provides a safe environment for sports, exercise, learning, and leisure. Here, everyone is able to feel secure and accepted as they are, Sirén affirms.

Sustainable tourism does not happen by chance; it requires systematic development, monitoring, and long-term commitment. To support this work, Visit Finland has developed the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) programme.

The STF label indicates that a tourism company has integrated ecological, social, cultural, and economic sustainability into its operations. Eerikkilä was awarded the label in 2021.

Many other operators in Häme have committed to the same principles. Certified destinations in the region include Urpolan Kartano, Seastar Events, Scandic Aulanko, Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Mood of Finland, Iloranta, and Active Holiday Finland.

The article was written as part of the Elämykset esiin project, funded by the Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.