Event
Enhancing Responsible Tourism in the Nordic Countries
This three-day webinar, held on 11–13 November 2025, presents best practices in responsible tourism from both industry and academic perspectives. The webinar is aimed at professionals, students, researchers, entrepreneurs, developers, specialists, and anyone interested in responsible tourism.
This year’s focus is on three key themes: diversity and inclusion, tourism research, and responsible tourism development.
English
Together Towards Better Places to Live and Visit
As the Nordic countries, we are united by a shared commitment to environmental conservation, social equity, and economic sustainability. These common values are reflected in our policies and practices, which aim to minimize the ecological footprint of tourism while maximizing its benefits for local communities.
By working together, the Nordic countries can leverage their collective expertise and experiences to develop innovative solutions that address shared challenges in the tourism sector.
Enhancing Responsible Tourism in the Nordic Countries – Best Practices from Industry and Academia is a webinar organized through Nordic cooperation. It brings together professionals, researchers, and students to exchange knowledge and inspire action toward more responsible tourism.
11 Nov
12 Nov
13 Nov
Call for Abstracts: Responsible and Regenerative Tourism
Research topics and case studies will be presented on 12 November 2025, and we warmly invite tourism researchers operating in the Nordic countries to submit abstracts (maximum 300 words) exploring themes of responsible and regenerative tourism.
Read more in the Open Call invitation and send your abstract to Minna Tunkkari-Eskelinen ([email protected]) and Katja Pasanen ([email protected]). Deadline: 31 August 2025.
Programme
Tuesday 11th November
The programme on Tuesday will focus on Diversity and Inclusion.
- Introduction of the webinar and the day
- Diversity and inclusion in tourism and hospitality - concept and definitions
- Company case: Emilia Sarkia, HR Manager / Learning & Development, Scandic Hotels
- Panel discussion: Creating inclusive destinations
The full programme will be published later.
Wednesday 12th November
The programme on Wednesday will focus on Tourism Research.
You can find the Open call invitation above. We kindly invite you to submit your abstract by 31st August, 2025.
The full programme will be published later.
Thursday 13th November
The programme on Thursday will focus on Responsible Tourism Development.
- Introduction of the day
- ICRT Global & ICRT Europe, Harold Goodwin, the Founder of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism Network
- Responsible tourism development and local communities, Ágúst Bogason, Senior Research Advisor, Nordregio
- Panel discussion: Tourism Tomorrow
- Harold Goodwin, ICRT Global
- Jukka Punamäki, City of Helsinki
- Ágúst Bogason, Nordregio
The full programme will be published later.
Programme subject to change.
Speaker Biographies
Emilia Sarkia, Scandic Hotels
Emilia Sarkia is an experienced HR professional in the hospitality industry, specializing in employee experience development, organizational culture and competence management, as well as leading customer experience through people strategy. She has long experience in facilitating workshops and training programs on topics such as leadership, change management, employee engagement, team building, onboarding, and recruitment.
Jukka Punamäki, City of Helsinki
Jukka Punamäki works as a Senior Advisor for Tourism at the City of Helsinki’s Tourism and Destination Management Unit, with a special focus on sustainable tourism development. He has extensive experience in the tourism sector and specializes in regional development, data-driven decision-making, and stakeholder collaboration.
Punamäki has played a key role in shaping Helsinki’s tourism strategy, particularly in the city’s ambition to become the most sustainable travel destination in the world by 2026. Under his leadership, Helsinki ranked first in the Global Destination Sustainability Index in 2024 and became the first major city in the world to receive the Green Destinations GSTC certification in 2025.
Previously, Punamäki has held several leadership positions, including CEO of Visit South Coast Finland and Executive Director of Posio Tourism Association in Lapland.
He studied Tourism Development at the University of Gothenburg. His expertise and commitment to sustainable tourism have made him a respected professional both in Finland and internationally.
The webinar is organized in cooperation with
Keywords
More information
Petra Blinnikka
Minna Tunkkari-Eskelinen
