Sustainability actions
Environment & Ecological Sustainability
Preserve the wilderness
As we are fortunate enough to operate in one of the few unspoilt areas of the world, close to the great Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park and in the almost untouched reindeer herding areas, we consider it our obligation to raise awareness of our surroundings and natural resources.
We do this in thousands of small ways but the main adaptations and contributions we have made are as below:
- Our three resorts Harriniva Adventure Resort, Jeris Lakeside Resort and Torassieppi Eco Reindeer Resort all exclusively use geothermal heating since 2015-16. This reduces the consumption of oil used for heating by 200, 000 litres every single year.
- We use 100% renewable electricity.
- All of the waste from our Arctic Sled Dog Centre is composted. We’re doing research in partnership with the Muonio municipality in a bioenergy project that studies the options of turning this organic waste into energy.
- We have electric car charging point in Harriniva Adventure Resort and we are researching the potential benefits of introducing them to all of our properties.
- We recycle and reduce waste in all our hotels and wilderness cabins.
- We never use paper or plastic disposable dishes. On our safaris and outdoor dining we use washable cups and plates from Kupilka, which are 50% wood and 50% recycled plastic.
- We minimize towel changes in our accommodation which directly translates to less water consumption and pollution.
- We only use unleaded gasoline in our snowmobile safaris which has completely removed this heavy pollutant. It does damage not only to the environment but also to the people exposed to it. 95% of our snowmobiles now operate a 4-stroke engine which is quieter, faster and cleaner – it offers smoke-free riding to protect the environment.
- We work hard to raise awareness of changes to the environment among our guests and how their actions at home can directly impact locations such as ours.
- Our activity programs all operate with environmental consideration, for example our safaris only follow marked trails to protect the flora and fauna.
Economic & Social Sustainability
Sell global, act local
Harriniva Hotels & Safaris is an internationally recognized tourism operator; 95% of our guests come from outside Finland. Annually we have guests from over 40 different countries.
We are a significant employer in this remote region both directly and indirectly and we work hard to invest as much as possible into other local businesses.
We do this the following ways:
- We have a strong cooperation with local partners, smaller entrepreneurs, and the national park.
- We use both locally and organically produced food.
- We contribute to a local youth and children charity.
- We attend and support demonstrations and lobby the government against large scale logging in Muonio.
Economic & Social Sustainability
Promote traditions and welfare
As a family company based in the Muonio, Lapland region for many generations, our aim is to inform our guests of authentic Lappish lifestyle.
All services are kept close to our nature, respecting the Lappish traditions, Sami culture, and animal welfare.
These are the values we keep in mind when designing the best travel experience we can.
- We preserve Lappish traditions by respectful planning of programs and services.
- We raise environmental and cultural awareness among our guests. These include reindeer herding as well as Lappish and Sámi cultural heritage presented in a genuine and authentic way.
- We promote animal welfare on our husky and reindeer tours and maintain excellent living conditions for our animals to keep them happy and healthy. We are founding members of the “Animal welfare in tourism” service, a project that cooperates with the University of Lapland.
- We keep our family values at the heart of all our operations.
