Sustainable tourism Kymenmatkat
Responsible tourism Kymenmatkat relies on quality and local services.
We have found our own path through the recession and the covid, and with this latest threat, our narrowed operating environment of war, we have designed a new path that complements the journey.
Commitment to work and a love of tourism takes you forward and provides a good foundation for working in tourism. We have the task of taking Finns as tourism ambassadors to the world’s seas and continents, from the Nordic countries and Europe to Asia, America and Oceania.
Tourism, art and culture have traditionally been ambassadors for peace in the world, we have been involved in this activity for 28 years, increasing the encounters of cultures between people. We want to take this unifying message of tourism to a practical level around the world.
We continue to build good relationships, take aid to destinations for tourism, use local services and local partners, and make sure our partners are responsible players in the tourism industry.
This year, Kymenmatka celebrated 28 years of tourism by land, sea and air, both at home and abroad, so we can happily wish you: Enjoy life – Enjoy the journey!
Come along. Life is here and now! That’s what we do.
We look forward to hearing from you so we can serve you!
Sustainable tourism
In order to promote the sustainable development of tourism, Kymenmatkat strives to operate in a way that fulfills the economic, social and environmental responsibility of sustainable development. Kymenmatkat sustainable development policy is applied in all business areas of travel business and in our office. Kymenmatkat brings travelers to the Kotkan-Hamina region and organizes trips around the world.
For us, quality is one of the cornerstones of responsible tourism. Kymenmatkat only use reliable partners so that the end result is the best possible for the customer. Thanks to long working partnerships, we know our partners well and we know that we have the same world of values and the practice of producing travel services. As an example, we can say that when traveling, it is preferable to use hotels where ecology has been taken into account – even if the towels are not automatically washed every day. We are happy to arrange transports as joint transports and we always use services provided by locals.
Since our staff knows the services we offer like the back of our hands, it is easy for us to tailor travel packages to different needs. For example, it is possible to build accessible travel packages from Kymenmatkat selection. Although the travel agency’s services also include trips to foreign countries, all of us at Kymenmatkat enjoy at least as much the fact that we get to build travel packages for our own region and we get to give tourists the opportunity to get to know the best destinations in Kymenlaakso. Our staff knows the area and its services with decades of experience, so it is easy to meet the needs of every customer.
Our social responsibility in Finland means that we are a reliable employer and partner.
Kymenmatkat employs people directly and indirectly. We do things systematically and regularly measure the results of our work. We take care of the well-being and development of our staff. Kymenmatkat is a profitable company that generates tax revenue for the Kymenlaakso area.
Trips to Kymenlaakso
Supporting local businesses and increasing the region’s vitality are the basic principles of Kymenmatkat.
The purpose of the travel agency is to cooperate and support tourism service providers operating in the area. Group tourism to the region has a significant impact on employment in our region. Although a lot is already being done for responsible tourism, there is always room for further development. Kymenmatkat uses the Sustainable Travel Finland program to help here, and our travel agency is well on its way towards the Sustainable Travel Finland mark, which certifies sustainable tourism.
Among other things, the development process is looking for even more ecological ways to travel. We are a Finnish travel agency and we cooperate with responsible and sustainable tourism operators in Finland and abroad.
Travel and tourism employ the most people in the world. It is important that tourism destinations promote sustainable development that has an impact on the environment and climate, and it is important that human rights are protected in all areas of tourism. In the target countries, we support local companies and organizations, using their services, thus wanting to ensure that the local culture is preserved for future generations. The financial return immediately benefits the local society. Especially in developing countries, tourism, when carried out responsibly and sustainably, is one of the most significant sources of economic and social resources. Kymenmatkat takes its customers to get to know local life and culture. We enable cultural encounters that improve understanding between different cultures. We encourage our local partners to pay attention to ecological, nature-saving activities in the implementation of tourism services. This means more efficient use of energy and water, more efficient treatment of waste water and waste, reuse, avoidance of single-use products, rational planning of transport and utilization of ecological alternatives.
When traveling, we use hotels where ecology has been taken into account.
When staying for several nights, the customer’s bed linen is only changed as needed and towels are not automatically changed every day. We are happy to arrange transports as shared transports and use services provided by locals. Our staff knows the services we offer, this promotes the customization of travel packages in the most ecological way possible. Garbage generated on the way is handled appropriately and collected in places where there are no appropriate collection containers for garbage.
Accessible travel packages can be built from Kymenmatkat selection. When planning air travel, we always look for the lowest emission solution to make the trip possible. We always prefer direct flights. As far as possible, we offer our customers a train trip, when it is possible. In travel destinations, excursions are made on foot or by bike, in which case the majority of local transport is very low-emission. When choosing accommodation and places to eat, the priority is always locality, naturalness, ecology and the smallest possible carbon footprint, e.g. avoiding single-use products, waste recycling, efficient water use increase environmental friendliness and reduce the carbon footprint.
Kymenmatkat mission
The purpose of Kymenmatkot is to produce experiential private and group trips both in Finland and abroad. To support a sustainable society and sustainable tourism by supporting all stakeholders towards a better awareness of responsibility. This is done by minimizing and mitigating negative effects on the environment and by being active in the activities of our local community and society.
Responsibility in a nutshell
We operate as a responsible tour operator, we have consumer protection set by the Finnish Kuluttajavirasto. Kymenmatkat Oy is a member of the Finnish Travel Agency Association (SMAL 18595) and the Consumer Agency’s guarantee fund (KUVI 3254/00/MjMv).
We reduce the carbon footprint caused by our operations both in the office and on our travels.
We prefer direct flights to destinations.
We offer customers low-emission travel methods for connecting transport.
We are on call 24/7.
We signed the joint declaration of the tourism industry, the Helsinki Declaration, to promote responsible tourism
Tips for sustainable tourism
When flying on vacation, use direct flights whenever possible.
Pack lightly, because the less your bag weighs, the less fuel is used and climate emissions are created when flying.
Choose an ecological or environmentally certified hotel.
Turn off the lights in your room and turn off the air conditioning when you are not in the room.
Inform the cleaner at the hotel that you use the same towel and sleep in the same sheets for several nights.
Buy locally produced goods and services.
In buffet dining, take only as much food as you can eat to reduce food waste.
Sort and recycle garbage where possible.
Take part in animal tours, only if the tour meets international requirements for the treatment of animals.
If you suspect child abuse, contact your local police or the international ECPAT organization.
Use low-emission modes of transport as much as possible.
When making a reservation, think about whether you could make the trip by ship or train, or whether you could use public transport or rent a bike on the spot.
You can also do a city tour by walking, which allows you to see the sights up close.
Protection of children
If during your trip you suspect that a child is at risk of being abused, report it to the tour guide or the local police.
Do not buy products or services from children.
Buying products or services from a child favors the use of child labor and reduces children’s chances of going to school.
Animal protection
Avoid unethical wildlife tours that promise close encounters with animals.
If there is an opportunity to touch, hug or ride wild animals, the trip should not be supported.
Instead, look for tours that don’t disturb the wildlife and make sure you’re a certain distance away from them.
Conservation of nature Always recycle garbage as much as possible, keep a bag with you when you move, in which you put your own garbage and put the garbage in the appropriate garbage container.
When moving in nature, remember not to interfere with ecosystems, disturb wild animals or destroy vegetation.
When snorkeling or diving, be careful not to damage the delicate coral growth as it damages the fragile ecosystem.
Protection of cultural heritage
The goal of sustainable cultural tourism is to ensure that cultural sites are properly protected, their authenticity, preservation and the local economy are supported.
Guided tours tell about the destinations, see valuable cultural heritage sites, guarantee that the area remains unchanged and only use local services and sell local products.
Our partners
Kymenmatkat prefers partners and organizations that have a written sustainable development statement as an integral part of their business policy and that have a clear responsibility policy. Kymenmatkat recommends that its partners comply with GSTC-accredited certificates. We also recommend our partners to adopt sensible environmental practices and minimize their carbon footprint. We hope that you will regularly inform us of the development of your sustainability requirements so that the practices are consistent with our company practices.
Key sustainability clauses are included in contracts with inbound / receptive partners e.g. child labour, anti-corruption and bribery, waste management and protection of biodiversity.
Kymenmatkat Ltd achieve Travelife Partner level
Amsterdam, July 13th, 2023. The Travelife Partner level award was received today by Kymenmatkat Ltd (Finland). The award recognizes the long-term efforts of Kymenmatkat Ltd regarding sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Kymenmatkat Ltd complies with more than 100 criteria, related to an operator’s office management, product range, international business partners and customer information. The Travelife Partner level standard is covering the ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility themes, including environment, biodiversity, human rights, and labour relation.
Kymenmatkat Ltd participates in the EU-funded SUSTOUR project that runs from 2020 – 2023 and aims to promote sustainability among the European tour operator sector through a business led approach. The project supports over 600 small and medium-sized enterprises from 35 European countries in improving their sustainability performance through training, coaching and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
Mr. Naut Kusters, manager of Travelife for Tour Operators, “I am delighted to see that sustainability in the tour operator sector is obtaining momentum. The Partner award of Kymenmatkat Ltd will inspire other companies in Europe to follow the same path’.
Travelife is the leading international sustainability certification for the travel sector. More than 35 national travel associations are promoting the scheme to their members including, SMAL, APAVT, UHPA, ANVR, ABTA, PATA and more.
