Visit Finland promotes Finland’s appeal internationally as a sustainable and attractive travel destination and supports the sustainable international growth of tourism companies and regions. The vision – Finland as a leading sustainable travel destination, the number one choice for the conscious traveller – is built, for example, through the Sustainable Travel Finland programme.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre received its first Sustainable Travel Finland recognition in autumn 2020. The label is renewed annually by reviewing the company’s own sustainability path as well as its development and action plan with goals and schedules. The right to use the label also requires a valid environmental certificate. Since 2009, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre has held the ISO 14001 environmental certificate.
“The work done for sustainability makes Finland an internationally unique destination for tourism and events. As Finland’s largest event organiser, we continue long-term efforts among the pioneer companies committed to the Sustainable Travel Finland programme: we share the message of responsible tourism and events with our international partners and audiences,” says Hanne Lindroos, Sustainability Manager at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
Finland has been recognised in several international studies as a country known for sustainable tourism. Helsinki ranked first in the Global Destination Sustainability Index in 2024 and 2025 and is the world’s first major city to receive the Green Destination certificate.
International travellers and event organisers are making increasingly conscious choices
Tourism is a globally growing industry. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism’s share of GDP will grow at an annual rate of 3.7% globally between 2024 and 2034, while the world economy as a whole will grow at 2.4% annually. Shared goals and metrics help the entire industry to participate in measures that support sustainable growth and to act responsibly.
“International travellers and event organisers are making increasingly conscious choices, and responsibility has become a decisive competitive factor. The exemplary work and long-term commitment of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre to the Sustainable Travel Finland programme strengthen Finland’s position among the world’s most responsible event and travel destinations,” comments Liisa Kokkarinen, Sustainable Tourism Specialist at Visit Finland.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre is a climate partner of the City of Helsinki and aims to be 100% carbon neutral by 2030. At the same time, it continues to develop its services to be increasingly responsible and encourages its customers to make environmentally friendly choices.
Discover more about Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre here.
