The Multidimensional Tourism Institute of University of Lapland has formulated a draft proposal for certification criteria, which helps to identify holistically sustainable and responsible Sámi tourism businesses operating in Finland. The project has been funded by the Lapland ELY Centre and conducted in cooperation with the Sámi Parliament in Finland.
Sámi culture, reindeer, Northern Lights and Arctic nature are amongst the most important attractions in the Sámi homeland and widely in Finnish Lapland. Tourists and tour operators arriving in Lapland are interested in the authenticity, responsibility, and sustainability of the services they use during their visit.
"The purpose of the long-term work the Sámi Parliament is carrying out towards the certification of Sámi tourism businesses helps tourists and tour operators make responsible choices in the future", University of Lapland senior lecturer Monika Lüthje and project planner, Inarisámi Kaisu Nikula, who has also made a long career in tourism, point out.
The certification criteria support the vitality of Sámi cultures and the development of Sámi cultures on Sámi terms. At the same time, the criteria will improve the accessibility and competitivity of the certified businesses.
The certification criteria are based on work done by the Sámi Parliament
The Sámi Parliament in Finland has already worked for a long period for responsible and ethically sustainable Sámi tourism. The certification criteria draft proposal will be a vital part of the Sámi Parliament’s certification work, building on work done previously. The criteria have been compiled utilising “Ethical Guidelines for Sámi Tourism”, “Responsible Visitors’ Guide to World of Sámi Culture and Sámi Homeland in Finland”, and “Sustainability Programme of the Sámi Parliament”, which have been approved by the Sámi Parliament. The Sámi tourism operators have also been involved in the project by giving their views on the needed criteria.
Additionally, information on existing and earlier indigenous tourism certificates and other important responsible and sustainable tourism certificates have been utilised in the compilation of the criteria.
ITAC’s, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada’s Original Original certificate is the only currently operational certification programme for indigenous tourism in the world. Previously, there was a certification programme for Sámi tourism businesses operating in Sweden, the Sápmi Experience, but it was discontinued due to lack of funding after a promising start.
The certification criteria draft proposal will be handed to the Sámi Parliament in the beginning of October, after which the criteria will be finalised.
The project has also begun to build an online platform needed for the certification programme. The execution of the certification programme still requires the development of auditing and approval systems, development of indicators and piloting.
Alternatives for securing funding for this is currently being sought together with the Sámi Parliament.
About the data collecting project for planning certification for holistically sustainable Sámi tourism businesses
The operation time of the project is 15.11.2022 - 13.10.2023. The total costs are 115 366 Euros, of which Lapland ELY Centre’s funding percentage is 90 % i.e. 103 829,40 Euros. The financing has been granted from the fund for Nature, Food, Fishing and Hunting Tourism Projects in Rural Areas.
Additional information:
Project Leader Monika Lüthje
University of Lapland, The Multidimensional Tourism Institute
firstname.surname(at)ulapland.com
040 484 4198
Project Planner Kaisu Nikula
University of Lapland, The Multidimensional Tourism Institute
firstname.surname(at)ulapland.com
040 352 1407 (until 6.10.2023)
Planner Kirsi Suomi
Sámi Parliament in Finland
firstname.surname(at)samediggi.fi
040 594 5492