In April 2025, Sunila Kantola in Kotka was awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label, a recognition of its ongoing commitment to developing more sustainable tourism and business practices. The STF label and programme are administered by Visit Finland and provide a structured pathway for tourism operators to improve and monitor their sustainability efforts according to internationally recognized standards.
The STF programme includes a seven-step development path that organizations must complete before applying for the label. Once achieved, the label must be renewed regularly to ensure continued commitment to sustainable practices. Sunila Kantola had previously received the Good Travel Seal certification in summer 2023, which the STF label is also tied to. Both certifications are scheduled for renewal between August and October 2025.
Sunila Kantola is a site of major cultural and industrial heritage, reflecting the rich history of the forest industry in Kotka and the broader Kymenlaakso region. Designed by Aino and Alvar Aalto, the Sunila complex was originally created to serve the needs of a 20th-century factory community, offering high-quality living conditions for its time. Today, these historical and architectural values continue to guide Sunila Kantola’s operations, with a strong emphasis on preserving local identity and heritage.
In addition to honoring its industrial past, Sunila Kantola is committed to advancing sustainable Aalto tourism, working together with other Aalto sites to preserve and promote the legacy of Aino, Elissa, and Alvar Aalto. The goal is to offer increasingly responsible experiences for both domestic and international visitors.
Sunila Kantola is a proud part of the European Alvar Aalto Route – 20th Century Architecture and Design, currently engaged in a project titled “Strength from Sustainability – The Alvar Aalto Route as a Forerunner of Sustainable Cultural Tourism”.
You can read more about the sustainability project here: https://visit.alvaraalto.fi/en/news/alvar-aalto-route-strengthens-sustainability-a-new-project-takes-sustainable-tourism-to-the-next-level/ (link opens in a new window).
To explore Sunila Kantola’s sustainability practices in more detail, visit: https://www.sunilakantola.fi/sustainability
Source: Sunilan Kantola Oy
