In our previous news, we have discussed different aspects of responsibility based on the Helsinki Declaration that we recently signed. In the declaration, we committed to maintaining and developing our responsible operating practices. As the last of the three areas, we now focus on ecological responsibility.
The Helsinki Declaration highlights, among other things, the following points:
➢ protecting and, where possible, improving biodiversity, endangered species, land and water ecosystems, and landscape values
➢ responsible use of natural resources, reducing consumption, and promoting the circular economy
These may sound like big ideas, but in practice they are quite simple. For example, we buy refurbished computers to support the circular economy, print only when necessary, and otherwise work digitally using environmentally friendly electricity. We also raise awareness during our guided tours among visitors from different parts of the world.
During guided tours at the Turku Region Wastewater Treatment Plant, we talk about protecting aquatic ecosystems and about the practical steps people in the Turku region can take to help. Our international visitors are also interested in how Turku supports the circular economy, so we take them to Ekotori and talk about topics such as textile recycling. We can also highlight the importance of biodiversity, for example along the nature trail in Tuorla.
A great deal of valuable work is being done in the Turku region to promote ecological responsibility, which means there is no shortage of meaningful places and initiatives to showcase.
See more about Helsinki Declaration for travel trade from their website, and don’t forget to check our other posts about sustainable tourism.