Green Destinations 2023: Championing Sustainable Tourism in Tallinn

I recently had the privilege of speaking at the Green Destinations 2023 Conference, which took place from October 8-10, 2023, in Tallinn, Estonia. As one of the speakers, it was inspiring to engage with industry leaders and experts from around the world who are all dedicated to shaping the future of sustainable tourism.

Hosted in the European Green Capital of 2023, Tallinn, the event gathered over 260 participants from more than 40 countries, all focused on finding sustainable solutions to preserve and protect the natural and cultural heritage of travel destinations. The conference brought together a wealth of knowledge, with 55+ speakers sharing best practices on everything from eco-friendly travel initiatives to sustainable destination management.

During my presentation, I emphasized the need for destinations to balance tourism growth with social and environmental sustainability, using examples from my work in Oulu and along the Pohjola Route. One of the key takeaways from the event was the power of collaboration—bringing together local governments, tourism boards, and businesses to create travel experiences that not only attract visitors but also protect and benefit the local environment and communities.

As part of the event, I also had the opportunity to connect with fellow sustainability advocates and exchange ideas on how we can push sustainable tourism forward. It was clear that the future of tourism lies in creating responsible travel practices that promote long-term environmental stewardship.