Sustainable Tourism

The Raseborg of the future is being developed sustainably. We act sensibly based on ecological, economic, and social sustainability. It should be pleasant to visit, live, and do business in the city. Together, we are creating a sustainable future that generations to come can enjoy.

Sustainable Raseborg

The City of Raseborg’s 2022-2025 strategy places a strong emphasis on sustainable development. As a HINKU (Carbon Neutral Municipality) member, Raseborg is dedicated to significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions, with the goal of achieving full climate neutrality by 2030. A climate-neutral city means generating no more emissions than we can bind. In tourism, we take responsibility for how we present the city, collaborate with local businesses, and promote sustainable options. We are fully committed to Glasgow’s Climate Action Plan and Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland programme. Through these efforts, Raseborg aims to become an even more attractive destination to visit, live in, and conduct business in.

In 2018, Visit Finland established sustainable tourism criteria to help businesses adopt sustainable practices. These criteria include the dimensions of ecological, economic and socio-cultural sustainability. Sustainable tourism can be seen in the sorting of waste, the protection of cultural heritage, the promotion of local products and the employment of local labour. Responsible tourism is a shared responsibility of both the tourism industry and visitors.

Awareness of sustainability has increased significantly in recent years, and it has become a crucial factor for the future of tourism destinations and businesses. Visitors are increasingly making decisions driven by their values, and the demands for sustainability from stakeholders are continuously growing. As a result, there is rising pressure on destinations and companies to adapt to these changes by offering responsible and sustainable alternatives.

To achieve success, tourism businesses in Raseborg need to become more active in measuring how their operations impact the economy, environment, and society. How we highlight nature, locally produced products, and culture as strengths of the Raseborg region, we also want to emphasise sustainability as an important part of our identity.

By integrating sustainability into all aspects of our tourism strategy, we can not only meet the growing expectations of visitors but also create a long-term sustainable tourism sector. By collaborating with local businesses, we ensure that Raseborg remains an attractive and responsible destination for future generations.

Raseborg’s Sustainability Measures

• Since 2013, Raseborg has been part of the HINKU network for municipalities focused on climate action. This means that, through a decision by the city council, the city has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from 2007 levels by 2030. Click here to see the city’s changes in greenhouse gas emissions.

• The UNWTO has developed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, aiming to reduce tourism-related emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions as soon as possible, no later than 2050. Visit Raseborg signed the declaration in the spring of 2023. Signatory organisations must submit a climate action plan to UNWTO within 12 months of committing to the declaration and report on their progress annually. The action plans are based on the declaration’s five pathways for emission reduction: Measure, Decarbonise, Regenerate, Collaborate, and Finance.
  

• The City of Raseborg is committed to promoting the Sustainable Travel Finland certificate and supporting businesses in adopting it. This certificate helps tourists identify sustainable tourism companies. Visit Raseborg also aims for Raseborg to become an STF destination. So far, Villa Skeppet and Svartå Manor have been awarded the STF certificate.
  

• Bosse is Raseborg’s public transportation system, developed in 2023, and plays a central role in the city’s sustainability efforts. As the largest city in Uusimaa, with an area of 2,200 km², it is important to offer efficient and more environmentally friendly transportation options to facilitate travel for both residents and visitors.
  

• Raseborg is making significant efforts to develop cycling opportunities in the area. The city has developed a cycling promotion programme for the years 2020–2025, aimed at increasing the amount of cycling, both for daily commuting and cycle tourism. Raseborg is also an active partner in South By Cycle and the Coastal Route. Learn more about cycling in Raseborg here.
  

• Raseborg warmly welcomes all cyclists! To make it easier for cyclists to find bike-friendly services, we have chosen to highlight them through the national Welcome Cyclist label. Businesses can participate in the programme by offering a few bike-friendly services that make cycling a smooth and hassle-free experience.
  

• With Raseborg’s city bikes, both visitors and locals can easily get around in an environmentally friendly, convenient, and affordable way, all while enjoying the beautiful landscapes. From the saddle of a city bike, it’s easy to reach the region’s many attractions. Read more about the city bikes here.
  

• We take pride in all the incredible products and services produced locally in Raseborg. To highlight these local offerings, we have established the Made in Raseborg label, which businesses can use to showcase their locally produced products.
  

• Raseborg is a We Speak Gay partner, working to make the area more inclusive and welcoming to everyone. Staff at our tourist services have received training, and we also collaborate with the Raseborg Pride group and the Raseborg Pride event, which takes place in late summer.

Read more about sustainable Raseborg here (in Swedish).

Sustainable Travel Finland-certified companies in Raseborg

Areas

Billnäs Bromarv Ekenäs Fiskars Karis Pojo Snappertuna Svartå Tenala

Svartå Manor

One of the most precious manor houses in Finland with a history of more than two hundred years.

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Villa Skeppet

Christine and Göran Schildt’s home, the last private residence designed by Alvar Aalto

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