We are constantly working towards sustainable tourism

Sustainability in Pyhä-Luosto

Pyhä and Luosto resorts want to offer the possibility to enjoy the space, silence and nature. The heart of these two resorts are the small villages, where all quality services are in walking distance. Untouched nature is just few steps away from your door. Sustainability means preserving these key elements in the future.

In the Pyhä-Luosto region, you can enjoy the beauty of the fells in the care of responsible travel companies. Activities have been developed in the region to ensure that energy, heat and water are sourced and consumed as efficiently as possible and to aid conservation. Regarding waste management, the most important issue is to reduce the overall level of waste produced and continually develop the recycling system.

Welcome to Pyhä-Luosto, where you can enjoy a unique natural landscape for decades to come!

Developing sustainability in Pyhä-Luosto:

2008 - Green Destination Management Net

Since the region of Pyhä-Luosto joined the Green Destination Management Net (Green DMN) program in autumn 2008, a concerted effort has been made to push sustainable tourism and employ greener practices. The entire region of Pyhä-Luosto was involved in the quality development program. The priorities of the environment program were: energy, transport, waste management, construction and conservation

2019 - Visit Finland - Sustainable Travel Finland pilot program

In March 2019, Pyhä-Luosto became one of the pilot destinations for Visit Finland's Sustainable Travel Finland program. The pilot phase of the program concluded on June 1, 2020. Through the program, Pyhä-Luosto, along with other pioneers in sustainable tourism involved in the program, has been working on the development path outlined by the Sustainable Travel Finland program to promote and pursue sustainable tourism, aiming for the STF (Sustainable Travel Finland) certification.

2020– We Are Committed to the STF Programme to Promote a Sustainable Travel Destination

1. We Engage in Fair Collaboration
Visit Pyhä-Luosto offers local tourism operators and municipal representatives the opportunity to participate in joint development and activities. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to recommend and cross-sell each other’s services.

2. We Take Care of Nature
Visit Pyhä-Luosto operators work closely with Metsähallitus. Nature-based tourism companies have valid cooperation agreements and are committed to following the principles of sustainable nature tourism. Visitors are guided to stay on marked trails and follow outdoor etiquette.

3. We Respect Cultural Heritage
The productization, menus, interior design, and storytelling of companies in the Pyhä-Luosto region incorporate local Sámi, Lapland, and Arctic cultural heritage.

4. We Promote Well-being, Human Rights, and Equality
The Pyhä-Luosto tourism area employs local residents and aims to extend the seasons so that businesses are open for 10 months and 80% of companies are committed to year-round operations.

Companies in the region offer internships and familiarization periods for young people and invest in guidance. Twice a year, employees in the area are invited to a shared “Get to Know the Fells” orientation day that strengthens local knowledge and awareness of available services.

Visit Pyhä-Luosto increases awareness of inclusive tourism, aiming to strengthen equality in both customer encounters and workplaces. Inclusive tourism takes into consideration people with various disabilities and access needs, LGBTQ+ individuals, and diverse ethnic backgrounds.

5. We Favour Local Products and Services
Visit Pyhä-Luosto encourages local companies to prioritize local and regional products in their business operations.

6. We Invest in Safety and Quality
Visit Pyhä-Luosto has a safety plan that is updated twice a year. Special situations are communicated on the website. Companies are committed to operating with safety in mind.

7. We Consider Climate Impacts
Visit Pyhä-Luosto increases awareness among local operators about climate impacts and emission reduction. By 2025, the region aims for all companies to use electricity from renewable sources and fossil-free heating energy. Many companies have already transitioned to renewable energy.

Visit Pyhä-Luosto actively participates in joint emission calculation projects coordinated by the Regional Council of Lapland (such as the Välkky project). One outcome of the project is the guide for low-carbon holiday homes: “Increase Revenue, Protect Nature.”

Visitors can reach the destination using public transportation.

8. We Communicate Openly
Visit Pyhä-Luosto is creating a shared model for communicating about responsibility in order to make it easier for operators to share their sustainability actions.
We provide a sustainability pledge, which visitors can evaluate during their stay.

9. We Continuously Develop Our Business Operations
Visit Pyhä-Luosto actively informs local companies about various trainings and actions that support business development.

10. We Commit to the Principles of Sustainable Tourism
We take an active role in promoting sustainable tourism and implementing these principles. We create a sustainable tourism action plan to guide our work in an increasingly systematic way. We commit to these actions and want to continue learning in the future.

You can also take part by signing Visit Finland’s Sustainable Finland Pledge.

2022-2023 Pilot project on Competent Workforce through Community and Partnership Networks

Visit Pyhä-Luosto member companies participated in the 2022 ELY Center's (The Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment) pilot project on Competent Workforce through Community and Partnership Networks. The goal of the project was to identify the key areas for development in the availability of skilled workforce in the Pyhä-Luosto area and to formulate long and short-term regional and community-specific development plans related to this.

2024 We joined the We Speak Gay community to advocate for LGBTQ+ friendly Finland

Visit Pyhä-Luosto has joined the We Speak Gay community, which works to promote safer and more inclusive tourism and society.

In Pyhä-Luosto, everyone is welcome to enjoy the space, silence, and nature. We treat all visitors equally and aim to create a sense of safety and belonging for everyone — because everyone deserves it.
In the future, we aim to communicate clearly and visibly about the safety of LGBTQ+ travellers in Pyhä-Luosto and to warmly welcome rainbow travellers to our region. With the support of the We Speak Gay community, we are increasing our understanding of the importance of social responsibility in our destination and working to further enhance sustainability across the entire tourism area.

Read more https://www.wespeakgay.com/

STF-certified businesses in Pyhä-Luosto

Sustainable Travel Finland - certified companies
Lapland Hotels Luostotunturi
Lapland Ski Resort Luosto
Lapland Safaris
Sunday Morning Resort
Pyhä-Luosto National Park (Metsähallitus)
Lampivaara Amethyst mine
Pyhä Ski Resort
Pyhä Ski-inn Hotels & Apartments

Responsibility-certified businesses
Ravintola Punakettu (Green Key)

Fresh, Local Ingredients in Restaurants

On the restaurant menus, dishes such as fish, mushrooms, berries, game, and reindeer meat are primarily made from local ingredients sourced from nearby areas including Rovaniemi, Sodankylä, Pelkosenniemi, and Kemijärvi. In addition, restaurants in Pyhä-Luosto take responsibility and sustainable development seriously.

Vegetarian options, as well as dietary restrictions and allergies, are carefully considered on the menus.
Minimizing food waste.
Avoiding single-use packaging and disposable tableware whenever possible.
Using environmentally friendly cleaning solutions and detergents.
Using water- and energy-efficient kitchen equipment.
Collecting and recycling biowaste.

Get to know the restaurants

VisitPyhaLuosto_ravintolat_sundaymorningresort

Responsible guided tours in nature

The Arctic nature itself is something we want to preserve for future generations. Here are a few examples of the work companies in Pyhä-Luosto have done to help ensure this happens.

Companies offering nature excursions have signed a cooperation agreement with Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife, committing to the principles of sustainable nature tourism.
The previously used 2-stroke snowmobiles on snowmobile safaris have been replaced with 4-stroke models, and a new generation of electric snowmobiles has been introduced by Sunday Morning Resort (2019–2020) and Lapland Safaris Luosto (2023–2024).
Animal welfare is carefully ensured at reindeer, husky, and horse farms. Lapland Husky Safaris / Lapland Safaris Luosto participates in the Animal Welfare Programme.
We avoid using disposable packaging and single-use tableware during excursions.

Get to know area activities

Public Transport and Accessibility

Pyhä-Luosto offers year‑round public bus connections (except in May) from Rovaniemi’s railway station, bus station, and airport, running via Luosto to Pyhä. There is also a public bus connection from the Kemijärvi railway station to Pyhä.

Bus drivers regularly participate in proactive and economical driving training. Environmental friendliness and cost efficiency are ensured in the vehicles.

Reindeer Husbandry and Sámi Culture

Reindeer herding is one of Lapland’s traditional livelihoods, with knowledge and practices passed down from generation to generation. Both Jaakkola Reindeer Farm and Kopara Reindeer Park include fascinating stories about this traditional way of life in their programmes.
At Jaakkola Reindeer Farm, visitors also learn about Sámi culture and traditions, shared by Anu, the Sámi hostess of the farm.

Visit the local farms

Lighting and the Minimization of Light Pollution and offer possibilities to experience The Northern Lights

One of the most memorable experiences in our region is witnessing the magnificent starry sky and the northern lights. We offer every visitor free access to the Aurora Alert Realtime Pyhä and Luosto northern light alert application! We have also made responsible choices in lighting and in minimizing light pollution.

In Luosto, the lighting system on cross-country ski tracks and walking routes in the village centre has been upgraded to LED lights. This reduces energy consumption by 50% in the long term. In addition, the lighting around the Ahvenlampi outdoor trail has been designed as an aurora zone, with the aim of minimizing light pollution while still ensuring safe movement.

The municipality of Pelkosenniemi upgraded the cross-country ski track lighting in the Pyhä area to new LED lights in autumn 2023. At Pyhä ski Resort, the slope lighting has also been automated to improve energy efficiency.

Year-Round Business Operations and Permanent Jobs

The goal is to develop business activities in Pyhä-Luosto so that the two centres can operate more strongly throughout the year. In the long term, this will increase the number of permanent jobs for people living in the area. As this development progresses, well-being in the resort and surrounding municipalities will also improve.

Tourism employers in the region invest in ensuring that their employees enjoy living in the area, find meaningful leisure activities, and have access to the services they need.

Find open jobs in Pyhä-Luosto

Sustainable Construction That Respects Nature

Companies operating in the area build sustainably, using natural materials and respecting the neighbouring Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Local tourism businesses prefer to use local construction companies for building projects and local property maintenance services.

The Pyhä (Pyhätunturi) resort area is being planned and developed in a way that enhances its comfort and makes it easier to move around between different places on foot and by public transport.

In Luosto, traditional natural building methods using deadwood timber have been carefully preserved, maintaining the authentic character of the area while honouring the region’s long-standing reindeer herding and forestry traditions. The Finnish Heritage Agency has recognised Luosto’s unique deadwood landscape by designating the area as a Nationally Significant Built Cultural Environment.

Considering Biodiversity and Protecting Pyhä-Luosto National Park

Metsähallitus works actively to protect Pyhä-Luosto National Park, safeguard biodiversity and cultural heritage, and collaborate with nature tourism companies in implementing sustainable nature tourism practices. At the end of 2023, Pyhä-Luosto National Park was awarded the STF label for responsible tourism.

In addition, the Ukko-Luosto Scenic Hut was opened by Metsähallitus at the summit of Ukko-Luosto in autumn 2022. It is designed for day hikers and nature tourism companies, offering a place to explore the national park and the area’s Arctic nature.

Trails in Pyhä-Luosto National Park have been improved and renovated. The purpose of these improvements is naturally to enhance the visitor experience and make nature accessible to as many people as possible. At the same time, the aim is to protect the park’s fragile nature from unnecessary wear by guiding visitors to stay on existing, well-maintained routes.

Explore Pyhä-Luosto National Park

Vastuulliset valinnat lomallasi

Pyhä-Luostolla olemme sitoutuneet laajasti kestävään kehitykseen. Huomioimalla seuraavat helpot vinkit vierailusi aikana olet mukana yhteisessä työssä ympäristömme hyväksi.

Kierrätys

Molemmista keskuksista Pyhältä ja Luostolta löytyy kierrätysasemia joissa voidaan kierrättää seuraavat materiaalit:

lasi
metalli
sekajäte
paperi
pahvi
muovi

Biojätettä ei voida tällä hetkellä kierrättää Pyhä-Luostolla, koska alueella ei ole toimijaa, joka voisi hyödyntää biojätteen kierrättämisen tai kuljettaa biojätettä. Biojätteen tehokkain kierrätys alueella on sekajätteen joukossa.

Kierrätyspisteet löydät täältä: https://kierratys.info/

Ympäristöystävälliset majoituskohteet

Pyhä Igloos

Pyhä Igloos tuottaa omilla aurinkopaneeleilla kaiken käytettävän energian keväästä syksyyn. Lisäksi Pyhä Igluissa on maalämpö, aurinkopaneelit ja ilmalämpöpumput jotka tekevät majoituksesta energiatehokkaan. Yritys on Green Key-sertifioitu.

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Pyhä Northern Lights Village

Aurora Suites -huoneistoissa ja Aurora Huteissa on maalämpö ja aurinkopaneelit. Kaikissa majoitusyksiköissä on ilmalämpöpumput.

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Pyhä Ski-inn kohteet

Hotelli Pyhätunturissa, Pyhä Suitesissa ja Pyhälinnan huoneistoissa on hakkeen käyttöön perustuva keskuslämmitys.

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Sunday Morning Resort

Resortti sijaitsee oman metsän ympäröimänä joka toimii hiilinieluna. Rakennusten lämmitysjärjestelmä on täysin automatisoitu. Resortti kierrättää 100 % jätteestä. Biojätteen kompostoidaan ja hyödynnetään omalla kasvimaalla, jossa käytetään vain orgaanisia lannoitteita.

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Kurulas Resort

Kurula’s on suunniteltu ympäristö ja ekologisuus huomioiden. Energiatehokas hirsihotelli sulautuu metsän keskelle järven rantaan ja käyttää lämmitykseen vesistölämpöä.

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Ski-inn Kultakero

Ski-inn Kultakerot on jämerästä kotimaisesta hirrestä. Puu materiaalina sopii Pyhälle, harmaa hirsi on yhtä aikaa sekä tyylikästä että kodikasta. Myös huoneistojen sisustuksessa hyödynnetään puuta sekä muita luonnonmateriaaleja. Huikeat näköalat tunturiin kruunaavat luonnonläheisen tunnelman.

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Santa's Hotel Aurora

Kiinteistöissä käytetään automatisoitua kiinteistötekniikkaan jolla säästetään vettä, sähköä ja lämmitysenergiaa. Santa's Hotel Aurorassa ja Aurora Glass Iglossissa on maalämpö- ja ilmalämpöpumput. Santa's Hotelleja ohjaa kansainvälinen ympäristöstandardi ISO:14001

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Lapland Hotels Luostotunturi

Lapland Hotels Luostotunturi on suorittanut vastuullisen matkailun STF-merkin ja sen laatuvaatimukset vuonna 2022.

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