Oy Aurinkomatkat Suntours has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
Aurinkomatkat is Finland’s biggest tour operator that provides solutions for Finnish leisure travelers’ needs since 1963. Aurinkomatkat offers traditional package beach holidays and city breaks to various destinations worldwide, including different travel-related ancillaries such as excursions and activities, and is part of the Finnair Group.
Sustainability Commitment
Over the past few years, Aurinkomatkat has demonstrated its commitment to responsible tourism with initiatives that include, for example, updated comprehensive responsible tourism training for all employees and DMC partners. Additionally, the company has enhanced the accessibility of services on its website, expanding its offerings to include a greater number of hotels with accessible rooms and providing detailed accessibility information of its excursion products.
According to Aurinkomatkat, its approach to sustainable and responsible tourism centers on establishing long-term partnerships and supporting local communities and entrepreneurs. The company also provides customers with access to detailed sustainability information about their vacation destinations through its app, both before and during their trips. All Aurinkomatkat flights to vacation destinations are operated by Finnair.
Aurinkomatkat is part of The Finnair Group, which has set its goal to fly carbon neutral by the end of 2045. The Group’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions includes various tools such as reducing the weight of aircraft, developing fuel-efficient flight methods, using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), utilizing evolving carbon markets, and engaging customers in addressing aviation emissions.
“We are excited to become a more integrated part of the international sustainable tourism community. We look forward to receiving good support for our efforts to promote sustainable tourism in destinations together with our partners,” says Annika Rusanen, Sustainability Manager at Aurinkomatkat.
GSTC Welcomes Aurinkomatkat
“We extend a warm welcome to Aurinkomatkat as a new member of GSTC and value their commitment in supporting our mission. We wish them every success on their journey towards sustainability,” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.
About Aurinkomatkat
Aurinkomatkat offers inspirational package tours to Finns who are quality-conscious and value convenience. Oy Aurinkomatkat – Suntours Ltd was established in 1963. As a part of the Finnair Group, and as one of the biggest and most trusted Finnish tour operators, it wants to serve its customers with solutions to all holiday traveling needs.
More information here: https://www.aurinkomatkat.fi/yritysinfo/company-profile
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are three sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, Industry Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators, and MICE Criteria for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides accreditation to those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.
Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
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Statements expressed in this announcement are presented for informational purposes only and should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation by GSTC, unless clearly stated.
