Our values

• Commitment: We are committed to long-term operations, respecting environmental values and ensuring economic sustainability.
• Community and Cooperation: We build strong partnerships and promote a sense of community in all that we do.
• High-Quality and Personalized Customer Service: We aim to offer unforgettable experiences tailored to each guest.
• Joy in Our Work: We approach our work with positivity, and our enthusiasm is visible in everything we do.
• Innovation: We continuously seek new ways to improve our operations and adapt our services to meet the changing needs of travelers.

Working Together Towards More Sustainable Tourism

Tourism services in Oravi are provided through close cooperation between several local companies. The companies operate independently, but some also share common owners. We are united by our shared location, our love for Lake Saimaa’s nature and the local community, and our commitment to developing Oravi as a travel destination.

Tourism services in Oravi are provided by:

• Saimaan Eräpalvelu Oravi Oy/ SaimaaHoliday Oravi – outdoor activities, guided tours, equipment rentals, Linnansaari ecohostel, web shop and booking services
• Oravi Lake Center Oy – village shop, café and restaurant
• Oravin Kyläkauppa Oy – owner of the shop, restaurant and harbour buildings
• PV Group Oy – owner of Oravi Apartments hotel
• Loma-Oravi Oy – owner of Oravi holiday villas
• Kanava Resort (YL-Kapital Oy) – accommodation services at Kanava Resort

Environmental Responsibility Is Our Shared Goal

Saimaan Eräpalvelu has been awarded the Ecocompass environmental certificate, and its environmental initiatives also extend to the restaurant and hotel operations in Oravi. Kanava Resort has its own environmental management system and holds the Good Travel Seal certification.

We work together to reduce our environmental impact and promote sustainable tourism. Through cooperation, we can share knowledge, make efficient use of shared resources, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Oravi as a travel destination.

Environmental Responsibility

Respect for the environment is at the heart of our operations. We are committed to conserving natural resources and reducing our carbon footprint. Some of our concrete actions include:

• We built our own waste sorting station, available for use by the entire village.
• We prefer wooden construction and keep the surroundings of the rental villas in their natural state.
• Most of our buildings are heated with geothermal or air-source heat pumps.
• In 2021, we installed solar panels on the main harbor building and all rental villas.
• We have our own environmental programme, which guides us in continuously improving our operations to make them more environmentally friendly. As recognition of our commitment to environmental responsibility, Saimaan Eräpalvelu been awarded the Ecocompass environmental certificate.
• We regularly maintain and repair our equipment to extend its lifespan. Rather than buying new equipment, we prioritise repairing and making the most of what we already have.
• Our Linnansaari EcoHostel operates without electricity, heating, or running water, and we maintain traditional landscapes through seasonal mowing. We also organize volunteer workdays.

Protection of the Saimaa Ringed Seal & Responsible Tourism

We share our home waters with the endangered Saimaa ringed seal, and we’ve developed seal-friendly activities accordingly.

We follow best practices for seal-safe tourism and share information about the seal, sustainable fishing, and responsible hiking. We’ve also created a Guide to Responsible Paddling.

In winter, we maintain marked winter trails on Lake Haukivesi to minimize disturbance to seals. We also arrange volunteer work making snowdrifts for the seals.

Sustainable Mobility

We promote environmentally friendly transportation:

• We encourage human-powered travel like cycling and paddling.
• We offer shared transport via safari bus and boat.
• We provide a wide range of rental gear suitable for responsible summer and winter adventures.
• Read more about our services for cyclists here

Food Culture & Local Sourcing

In our restaurants, we prioritize locally sourced ingredients, especially seasonal lake fish and moose meat, which we buy directly from local fishermen and hunters and process ourselves.
We support the use of lake fish, as recommended by WWF Finland – check out their sustainable fish guide!

We’re also committed to supporting local culture and community vitality:

• We collaborate with local businesses and associations, including first aid training with the volunteer fire department.
• We organize events such as fish festivals, nature church services, and camps together with the local community
• Our village shop and café serve as year-round gathering places for locals.

Accessibility

We want our services to be accessible to everyone. We are committed to improving physical accessibility and enhancing the inclusiveness of our services and facilities. Read more about our accessible services here.

Diversity and Equality

Everyone is welcome here, regardless of background, gender, age, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, or political beliefs. We respect all individuals who, in turn, respect us, the local community, and nature.

Sustainable Tourism & Certifications

We are committed to promoting sustainable tourism and have signed on to the 10 Principles of Sustainable Tourism.

We continuously develop our operations:

• SaimaaHoliday Oravi participated in responsibility training and completed the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) development path.
• Saimaan Eräpalvelu, the hotel and restaurant develop our practices through the Ekokompassi environmental program.
• Oravi Harbor has been awarded the Roopesatama environmental label.
• SaimaaHoliday Oravi took part in the Ce4rt Regenerative Tourism Training Program (2023–2024).
• We are a Metsähallitus partner company and pay an annual fee to Metsähallitus for the use of hiking trails, rest areas and other recreational facilities in the national parks.

SaimaaHoliday Oravi Environmental Promise

Our operations are located in the heart of Lake Saimaa’s pristine nature, and we are committed to keeping this environment and its ecosystems clean and thriving.
Nature is vital to both our business and to the residents and visitors of Oravi. We aim to lead by example in demonstrating how business and biodiversity can coexist.

We have adopted the Ekokompassi environmental management system, which provides us with concrete tools for minimizing environmental impact and helps us focus on what truly matters.
We follow local and global sustainability and responsible tourism guidelines, as well as environmental laws and best practices to the best of our knowledge and ability.

Looking ahead, we plan to place greater emphasis on educating visitors on sustainable practices and training our staff to lead by example. We are committed to continuous improvement in environmental matters and will continue to seek innovative ways to conserve natural resources and stay ahead of the curve.

Our Key Development Priorities for 2026–2027

• Reducing our carbon footprint: We are improving how we monitor emissions from our operations and exploring ways to reduce fuel consumption, particularly in boat and vehicle transport. We have not yet calculated the carbon footprint of our entire operations.
• Saving energy: We monitor energy consumption at our different locations and identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption.
• Responsible purchasing: We continue to maintain and repair our equipment regularly to extend its lifespan. We are also developing our purchasing practices to place greater emphasis on product durability and repairability.
• Strengthening cooperation: We are working to strengthen environmental cooperation between tourism businesses in Oravi and to develop more consistent sustainable practices.

We monitor our progress as part of our Sustainable Tourism Development Plan and EcoCompass environmental programme. We are committed to communicating openly about both our achievements and the areas where we still have room for improvement.

How You Can Make a Difference

Every guest can help preserve the unique nature of Lake Saimaa for future generations. Small actions make a big difference.

In Nature

• Read our Responsible Paddler’s Guide before heading out on the water.
• Follow the Outdoor Etiquette guidelines and respect marked routes and protected areas.
• Respect the endangered Saimaa ringed seal and other wildlife by keeping a safe distance and avoiding unnecessary noise.
• Take all your litter with you and leave every campsite and rest area as clean—or cleaner—than you found it.
• Use only designated campfire sites and always follow local fire safety regulations.

During Your Stay

• Use water wisely and avoid unnecessary consumption.
• Turn off lights and electrical appliances when leaving your room or when they are not needed.
• Choose environmentally certified detergents and personal care products whenever possible.
• Sort your waste according to our recycling instructions.
• Reuse your towels whenever possible to help reduce water and energy consumption.

Let’s Take Care of Our Equipment Together

Please treat our rental equipment with care. By doing so, you help extend its lifespan and reduce the need to purchase new equipment.

Travel Responsibly

• Whenever possible, choose walking, cycling, paddling, or other low-impact ways of getting around.
• Use shared transportation or other low-emission travel options whenever available.
• How to get to Oravi with public transport

Support the Local Community

• Choose local products, restaurants, and services.
• Treat local residents, cottage owners, and fellow visitors with kindness and respect.
• Appreciate the local culture, traditions, and the peaceful way of life that make this region so special.

Sustainable Travelling in Finland

Tips about making mindful choices while travelling in Finland you find on the Visit Finland site

Please also have a look at the principles of seal friendly tourism and the outdoor etiquette below.

Thank you for helping us protect the unique nature and culture of Lake Saimaa. Together, we can ensure that this extraordinary place remains beautiful and vibrant for generations to come.