Guide for responsible tourist

Finland has not been the happiest country in the world for nothing for several years in a row, clean air, safety, and drinkable, tasty and fresh, tap water are taken for granted by Finns. Welcome to the Lappeenranta and Imatra region, check out our list of tips to make your trip in our region a responsible and safe one.

Travelling and enjoying nature responsibly

Keeping

• There are often no bins in the wild, so what you bring to the nature, you take with you when you leave.

• Stay on the marked routes and use the prepared rest stops. Always choose the right route for the activity: there are specific routes for skiing, sledging, snowshoeing, walking, and cycling.

• Respect the nature of the Saimaa region: do not cut down or damage trees. Do not damage or destroy trees, leave moss and lichen on the ground, and do not build piles of stones.

• Let’s make fire only in official fireplaces.

• Fire should not be started during forest and grass fire warnings. Always ensure that the fire is fully extinguished when leaving the site.

• Keep dogs tethered when out in the wild.

• If you want to fish or hunt, remember that you need to apply for a permit.

• In Finland we have everyman’s rights, so if you pick berries or mushrooms in autumn, remember to be responsible: stay far enough away from settlements and keep your dogs tied up. Keep nature tidy and the berries will grow again next year.

the nature and environment of the Saimaa region clean.

Responsible spotting of the endangered Saimaa ringed seal

The Saimaa ringed seal is a rare endangered species living only in Lake Saimaa. If you are on a boat and see a Saimaa ringed seal

• Immediately switch off the engine and watch it quietly and from a distance, for example with a telescope.

• If the seal is on a rock, the aim is that it stays on the rock and doesn’t run away in fright into the water.

• Do not approach a seal on a bunk. If it dips its head and whiskers in the water, it has already spotted you.

• Don’t share your sightings on social media.

• If you meet a seal; you’re in luck. Don’t ruin a unique moment by making noise or getting too close, just breathe, calm down and stay within spotting distance.

Source: Saimaan Risteilyt Ltd, M/S Saimaa Margareta.

Favour the local and enjoy the delicacies of the region

Discover local products. Products, crafts, art, food, and drink from local producers in our region are the best idea to take home. When doing so, you’re supporting the local and helping to ensure that it continues for generations to come.

Strengthening the vitality and diversity of local production together.

Consuming local products benefits everyone. A vibrant and diversified production sector enables new and better products to be made.

Recommending of locally produced ingredients.

Our region has great local food, and consuming it helps sustain local production and supply. Local food producers do their work with love, which shows in both the quality and taste of their food. Local food is always a responsible choice.

The Karelia à la carte -label identifies a company whose values are localism, hospitality, and nature. If you see this label, you will find authentic local Karelian food.

Moving responsibly and saving energy

Whenever possible, favor lowemission and public transport such as train, bus, cycling or walking. When driving, you will reduce emissions by pre-heating your car in winter frosts and avoiding idling. Also remember to choose the right tires.

• Please turn off any unnecessary lights when you leave the site.

• Always turn off the water in the shower while shampooing.

• Please avoid unnecessary disposable containers and remember to sort your waste.

• Don’t leave food behind - just take what you can eat.

• If you get cold after a day outdoors, warm up with local wool products, a hot drink, and a blanket - you don’t always need a hot shower.

Lähde: Saimaan Risteilyt Oy, M/S Saimaa Margareta.

Respecting the local, making room for harmony

Treat people as you’d like to be treated.

• Please give the locals some domestic peace. Private yards are for residents’ use only.

• Don’t camp too close to settlements or open fire on other people’s land.

• Please also respect private events that are part of the local culture, and do not disturb or film events such as weddings or funerals without a permission.

• If you want to photograph people or private property, ask the locals for permission. Children can be photographed only with parental permission.

• To preserve our cultural history, please make sure your visit is respectful and untraceable. Please do not engrave your name on buildings or monuments.

• Please consider your neighbors. Keep the volume down and take your rubbish to the designated place.

Avoid injuries when travelling

Safety ensures a risk-free, sustainable, and therefore successful travel experience. Safety is part of corporate social responsibility, and a responsible tour operator will prioritize safety in its preparations.

Assess your resources and equip yourself properly in relation to the objectives of your trip. Find out all the details of the trip in advance and check that you are properly equipped, considering the strenuous nature of the journey. Be prepared for any surprises that extend the duration of the trip or change the way it is planned. The better prepared you are for these surprises, the better you will be able to cope when challenges arise.

• Keep your phone with you and your battery full. It’s a good idea to have a backup power supply. Keeping phone in a warm place, close to your body, you’ll increase your battery life in the cold. Download 112 Finland (112 Suomi) -mobile app on your phone to help you get help faster in an emergency. If you are in an emergency, call 112.

• Good hand hygiene reduces your risk of getting sick and the risk of others getting sick while travelling. If you do get sick, avoid shaking hands and places where there are lots of people. Cough into your handkerchief or sleeve if necessary. Wear a face mask if you have symptoms.

• When driving, only stop at rest areas and remember to keep your car lights on in the dark so that other road users can see you.

• Prefer bigger roads, as these are often lit, and services are closer. Smaller roads may be unploughed of snow or otherwise in poor condition in winter.

• Ensure your safety by taking advantage of the professionalism of a guide who knows the local area and regional knowledge.

• When on foot, always use pavements wherever possible. Use a reflector or torch so you can be seen when walking in the dark.

• Take extra care when walking on the ice, as streams, especially in autumn and spring, are unpredictable and even life-threatening.

Dare to comment

Positive feedback directly to the company helps it to assess its success, but negative feedback is also important to help it improve. Choose your feedback channel correctly. Share the responsible solutions you notice on social media too.

The national Sustainable Travel Finland label recognizes responsible tourism businesses and is granted by Visit Finland.

Read more about sustainability in Lappeenranta and Imatra region at www.gosaimaa.com/sustainability

@gosaimaa

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The guide has been prepared in consultation with the local authorities.