Tourism networks and projects

Helsinki is actively involved in many Finnish and foreign networks and projects that you can also join.

Helsinki's tourism promotion collaboration groups

Helsinki Tourism Advisory Board

The Helsinki Tourism Advisory Board makes the voice of businesses heard in the promotion and development of tourism. The board was set up for 2024–2025, and its members include the most important operators in the tourism industry, including the transport, catering, accommodation, experience and event sectors, and members from universities. The strength of the members lies in their expertise in the priority areas of tourism development, such as digitalisation and sustainability. The main tasks of the Helsinki Tourism Advisory Board are to identify and prioritise measures to promote the competitiveness and growth of Helsinki’s tourism and give suggestions for the city. Managing Director Laura Tarkka from Scandic Hotels Finland serves as the chairperson of the board. See all members of the group (in Finnish).

Urban Climate Leaders in Tourism

Leading travel companies from Helsinki and Tampere collaborate with City of Helsinki and Visit Tampere to pursue a trailblazing role in climate action for tourism. Eleven companies, including Finland's largest hotel chains and most attractive travel attractions, have established the Urban Climate Leaders in Tourism cooperation group. The members of the group are committed to common goals and actions to accelerate the transition towards a climate-neutral tourism industry.

More information about the group's activities and members

City Group’s Tourism Cooperation Group

The goal of the City Group’s Tourism Cooperation Group, set up for 2022–2025, is to agilely and sustainably promote the competitiveness, renewal and growth of Helsinki’s tourism. The members include central tourism operators from the City Group’s Communications Department, the Strategy Department’s international and safety teams, the Urban Environment Division, the Culture and Leisure Division as well as representatives from the Port of Helsinki, Helsinki Events Foundation, Helsinki City Premises and Helsinki Partners. The main tasks of the City Group’s Tourism Cooperation Group are to cooperate in indentifying and promoting the competitiveness and growth of tourism in Helsinki. City of Helsinki's Tourism Director Nina Vesterinen serves as the chairperson of the board.

Sustainability action group for the tourism and event sectors

The city’s internal group consisting of specialists in fields such as climate, equality, accessibility and inclusion.

Helsinki forum for sustainable tourism

A group of operators from outside the city organisation, including Visit Finland, Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki Pride, Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities, Finnish Paralympic Committee, University of Helsinki, Association of Finnish Travel Industry, Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa and Finnish event industry association Tapahtumateollisuus ry.

Management team for safety in tourism

A group consisting of representatives of the city, security authorities and companies.

Ongoing tourism promotion and development projects

Carbon Neutral Experience 2.0 (in Finnish)
Carbon Neutral Experience (CNE) has been prolonged and Uusimaa tourism sector's efforts towards carbon neutrality continue. The project lasts from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2025.
Food Waste Ecosystem (in Finnish)
The project creates a new network and process in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area for reducing food waste and utilising it more efficiently.
KOKEMO - Conference and Business Events as Drivers of Innovation and Sustainability in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area project
The project offers meeting and conference tourism companies in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area with training to certify corporate responsibility, calculate and reduce carbon footprints and create a shared sustainable story for Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
VivaCITY Challenge 2024–2026
In a three-year project, Helsinki will be developed as a future-proof destination and serves an international example in collaboration with experts. The core projects will focus on Helsinki's identity, regenerative tourism, and transformative data.

Finished tourism promotion and development projects

Carbon Neutral Experience (in Finnsh)
The purpose of this project was to speed up businesses’ recovery and new economic growth as well as to strengthen innovation and new ecosystems.
Digi+Carbonless
The Digi+Carbonless project offered support for SMEs to start and implement development projects providing a broader view of various solution models offered by green transition and digitalization.
DigiStar
The DigiStar project promoted the digitalisation of tourism and restaurant sector SMEs and strengthens their digital competence. DigiStar provides SME with means to revive business during the COVID-19 crisis and especially after it.
Sustainable Growth for Tourism: Southern Finland project
The City of Helsinki coordinated the The Sustainable Growth for Tourism: Southern Finland project, which supported the recovery and competitiveness of tourism industry SMEs by developing new tourism products for the international market.
Mission Positive Handprint (in Finnish)
The goal of the project was to support the ability of restaurant sector SMEs to adapt as the importance of sustainable development increases in society and in the customers’ values.
Mission Zero Foodprint
Mission Zero Foodprint project promoted carbon neutrality of small restaurants by developing a model and smart solutions, and by making the change visible for consumers.
South Coast Bikepacking Trail (in Finnish)
The project linked nature and tourist destinations of Uusimaa and Kymenlaakso as well as the most interesting gravel roads and easy-to-ride trails into a trail network suitable for bikepacking and accessible by public transport.
Sustainable Growth for Tourism: Southern Finland Project
Helsinki coordinated the Sustainable Growth for Tourism: Southern Finland Project that supported the recovery of SMEs in the tourism, restaurant and event sectors from the corona pandemic by developing new tourism products for international target groups.
6Aika: Carbon Neutral Tourism (in Finnish)
In the 6Aika: Carbon Neutral Tourism project, the cities of Helsinki, Turku and Tampere and various tourism operators implemented a new operating model using data and digital tools to promote carbon neutrality and better energy efficiency in tourism.

Finnish cooperation networks

Congress Network Finland ry - CNF
CNF is a Finnish organisation within the meeting, congress and event industry to advance and improve its members’ professional knowledge, widen their network possibilities, develop research within the industry, share information and act as a lobbyist.
Association of Tourism Organisations in Finland – Suoma ry (in Finnish)
Suoma is a cooperative body and lobbying organisation for regional tourism and tourism centre organisations and ‘I-kilpi’ tourist information offices in Finland.
Business Finland's Visit Finland (in Finnish)
Helsinki participates actively in several Visit Finland working groups to promote and develop tourism in Finland.
Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council
Helsinki participates in the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council’s tourism committee.
Tapahtumateollisuus ry (in Finnish)
The task of the central association of event industries Tapahtumateollisuus ry is to promote the business activities of the entire event industry and its value to Finnish society.

Foreign cooperation networks

Global Destination Sustainability Movement - GDS
The GDS-Movement unites and enables destination management professionals to create flourishing and resilient places to visit, meet and live in.
European Capital of Smart Tourism
The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative, managed by the European Commission, annually recognises outstanding achievements by European cities in the field of smart tourism development. Helsinki was the 2019 European Capital of Smart Tourism.
City Destinations Alliance
The City DNA organisation promotes the competitiveness and performance of the leading cities of Europe by providing the possibility for tourism and city marketing professionals to exchange knowledge and best practices.
Cruise Baltic
The B2B network Cruise Baltic consists of 32 partner ports and destinations in the Baltic region.
European Tourism Association – ETOA
ETOA is the trade association for better tourism in Europe with a community of more than 1,100 organisations ranging from global brands to small businesses, DMOs, industry partners and technical experts.
International Congress and Convention Association — ICCA
ICCA is the global association leader for the international meetings industry specialised in the international association meetings sector, offering unrivalled data, education, communication channels and business development and networking opportunities.
World Tourism Cities Federation - WTCF
WTCF is the world’s first international tourism organisation focusing on cities.
Delice Network
Delice Network is the most significant global tool for cities that consider food and gastronomy as a boost for urban economic development and city attractiveness.
UIA - Union of International Associations
UIA maintains comprehensive, up-to-date and reliable information on international associations. UIA also supports and facilitates the work of international associations through training and networking opportunities.
MPI - Meeting professionals international
MPI, the biggest meeting and event industry organisation globally, offers innovative training in the field and networking opportunities while also promoting the industry and its growth.