Following Australia’s lead, Sweden was the second country in the world to introduce an eco tourism charter. The Swedish eco certificate Nature's Best will guide you to the best eco tourism experiences and accomodations in our beautiful country.
If you’re want to spot a moose, sleep in a tree hotel or try activities like paddling, dog sledding, climbing, horse riding or fishing, Sweden is the place to go. But with tourism comes responsibility. To make it easier to find eco friendly accommodations and activities, Sweden has developed an eco certificate called Nature's Best. When booking with certified companies, you can be sure that your visit will be sustainable for both nature and people.
Nature’s Best is Europe’s first eco tourism label that verifies ethical, high quality accommodations and tours run by eco certified tourism operators around the country. This means that if you book an accomodation or activity with one of the companies approved by Nature’s Best, you know that they have to adhere to a strict code of conduct, and that you make a positive contribution to the environment where your stay or activity is taking place. Nature's Best was developed in 2002 by travel associations, land owners, nature conservation associations, non-profit organisations, public authorities, tourist companies and institutions.
The eco tours and active holidays of Nature's Best are sustainable ways to responsibly enjoy Sweden’s great outdoors and to benefit the environment you're in. This favours local business, local people and their culture. The range of eco friendly activities on offer is amazing; dog sledding in the Arctic Circle, timber-rafting in Värmland, glamping in the High Coast, whale watching in Skåne, to name a few.
Reindeer encounter with Nutti Sámi Siida
Meet a reindeer and try reindeer sledding with Nutti Sámi Siida, a company approved by Nature's Best. Based in Swedish Lapland, they invite you to learn more about Sámi culture and lifestyle.
Photo: Anna Öhlund/imagebank.sweden.se
Reindeer encounter with Nutti Sámi Siida
Photo: Anna Öhlund/imagebank.sweden.se
Geunja Sámi Eco Lodge, Swedish Lapland
Photo: Swedish Lapland
Dog sledding with Jokkmokksguiderna
Photo: Anna Öhlund/imagebank.sweden.se
Sápmi Nature Camp, Swedish Lapland.
Photo: Lennart Pittja/Sápmi Nature/imagebank.sweden.se
Before booking a hotel in Sweden do yourself and the environment a favour by checking for Nordic Eco labelled hotels first. More than 250 hotels in Sweden meet this leading Nordic Eco label’s stringent requirements and are marked with the Swan label. If you're shopping in a Swedish supermarket or store, keep an eye out for KRAV organically produced foods. Food products bearing the KRAV label have been produced in an environmentally friendly and ethical way. You can read more about The KRAV label here.
And while you're at it, skip the plastic bottled water while you’re here. There’s no ‘hey don’t drink the water’ in Sweden – the tap water is super clean and perfectly drinkable wherever you are. Bring your own bottle, fill it up at the hotel, or wherever you are staying, and enjoy. The good things in life are free.
For the average Swede, few things are more sacred than spending time at one's summer cottage. There we relax, go for a bike ride, take a dip in a lake or the sea, or forage for wild berries and mushrooms in the forest.
Everyone in Sweden can enjoy these and many other nature activities in the countryside because of the Swedish 'Allemansrätten' – a unique right that makes Sweden stand out among other countries in the world. Allemansrätten, the Right of Public Access, or the freedom to roam. This precious law gives you the right to roam the countryside in Sweden in perfect peace and quiet, as long as you leave it the way you found it. This freedom to all nature is one of the main reasons to visit Sweden.
