STF guidelines
Here are the STF guidelines on tourism, outdoor recreation, nature and cultural heritage. These guidelines were adopted at the Annual General Meeting in 2020.
Summary of the guidelines
STF works to promote sustainable development, taking into account economic, social and environmental perspectives. At the same time, STF represents the interests of its members in matters where different objectives may come into conflict.
The Board of STF has identified four key areas where it is particularly important to further develop the organisation’s positions. The guidelines are intended to serve as a compass for members and employees, outlining the values that the association seeks to uphold.
A brief overview is presented on this page. For a full account, please refer to the full document: Guidelines for the Swedish Tourist Association on tourism, outdoor recreation, nature and cultural heritage.
1. Sustainable tourism
STF works to promote sustainable tourism and to offer destinations, accommodation, activities and other products that minimise negative impact on the surrounding environment. This means that STF strives to ensure that tourism development in Sweden contributes positively to natural and cultural environments, as well as to local communities.
STF places particular emphasis on the importance of sustainable transport and good accessibility, efficient energy use, and locally produced food.
2. Outdoor life for all
STF works to promote outdoor recreation that is attractive and accessible to a wide range of groups in society. This includes providing good opportunities for nature experiences, well-being, social connection and increased knowledge of nature and cultural heritage, regardless of financial, physical or other circumstances.
It is therefore important that people have good access to nearby areas for recreation where they live. STF also highlights the importance of a quiet, unspoilt natural environment in connection with outdoor activities.
3. Accessible nature and cultural heritage
Access to the landscape is of great importance for members’ opportunities to experience nature and cultural tourism. STF therefore works to safeguard the Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten) and to promote well-balanced shoreline protection that takes into account the interests of outdoor recreation.
STF is positive towards the development of high-quality trails for various activities. Information and guidance are also important for accessibility and contribute to increased safety.
4. Protection of valuable natural and cultural environments
STF considers it essential that valuable natural and cultural environments are identified, preserved and made accessible. When establishing national parks, nature reserves and other forms of protection, careful consideration should be given to the needs of outdoor recreation, both in terms of appropriate facilities and the opportunity to experience unspoilt nature.
Roles and responsibilities within STF
Many of the issues covered by these guidelines require collaboration between STF’s different forms of engagement, the Board and the national office. This is described in more detail at the end of STF’s Guidelines on tourism, outdoor recreation, nature and cultural heritage.
Purpose and structure of the guidelines
STF considers it an important responsibility to monitor and take part in the development of tourism, outdoor recreation, and the accessibility and protection of natural and cultural environments, ensuring that these issues are prioritised in societal planning for the benefit of its members. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide members and employees with a compass, outlining the values the association seeks to promote.
The guidelines are structured around four areas:
- Sustainable tourism
- Outdoor lite for alla
- Accessible nature and cultural heritage
- Protection of valuable natural and cultural environments
The final section outlines the distribution of roles between the association’s different actors (local branches, the Board, the national office, member representatives, etc.).
STF’s operations are guided by these guidelines, as further specified in STF’s operational direction and internal governance documents. These include areas such as procurement, waste management, energy systems and the use of motor vehicles, all with the aim of minimising environmental impact and promoting more sustainable operations.
The guidelines were originally adopted at the Annual General Meeting in 2006 and revised in 2012 with additions related to tourism and energy issues. A more comprehensive revision was carried out ahead of the 2020 Annual General Meeting.
Starting points
The Swedish Tourist Association (STF) aims to promote its members’ interest in, and opportunities for, nature and cultural tourism in Sweden (§1 Purpose and Activities). STF does this by: promoting and developing outdoor recreation and tourism based on experiences of nature and culture; safeguarding and providing information about Sweden’s natural environment, cultural heritage, and environment from a tourism perspective; advocating for and spreading knowledge about sustainable tourism; offering members affordable accommodation and enriching activities; and otherwise representing members’ interests within our areas of operation.
STF is one of Sweden’s largest non-profit organizations. Since 1885, we have made it possible for more people to discover Sweden’s nature and culture. To continue doing so in the future, it will require, among other things, better opportunities for sustainable tourism, high-quality accommodation across the country, the protection of natural and cultural landscape values, accessibility through the Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten), and not least providing inspiration and guidance for new adventures and experiences. It is also important that STF shapes public opinion on issues of great importance to its operations and to the interests of its members.
As more and more people travel, STF operates within a growing and increasingly competitive tourism industry. This creates many opportunities, both socially and economically, but can also pose challenges for the environment and local communities. In the long term, more sustainable tourism is a crucial issue, both for the industry and for people’s ability to travel and experience new places. Here, STF, and not least its members, can contribute positively to development in several ways.
A fundamental principle for all STF activities is therefore to promote more sustainable development in line with the Global Goals and Agenda 2030. This includes taking economic, social, and environmental perspectives into account. At the same time, it is important that STF represents its members’ interests in situations where different objectives may come into conflict. The STF Board has therefore identified four areas where it is particularly important to further develop STF’s positions, as outlined in the guidelines below.
The boundary between tourism and outdoor recreation is rarely clear. Outdoor recreation refers to time spent outdoors in natural or cultural landscapes for well-being and nature experiences, without the requirement of competition. Many STF members engage in outdoor recreation, both through local chapters at home and, perhaps most importantly, as nature and cultural tourists when visiting STF facilities. Outdoor recreation encompasses many different activities, in both summer and winter, and takes place in various environments. It can contribute to regional development through nature-based tourism, improved public health, well-being, and increased knowledge of nature and cultural heritage. It is therefore important for STF to monitor the conditions that enable its members to engage in outdoor recreation. An important foundation in this regard is the ten national objectives for outdoor recreation adopted by the Swedish Parliament www.naturvardsverket.se/en (opens in new tab).
Both tourism and outdoor recreation depend on good access to high-quality natural and cultural environments. Many people, especially among STF’s members, believe that nature and cultural experiences improve quality of life. Access to nature and culture encourages activities that also promote health. Attractive environments and nature and cultural experiences should therefore be available not only in distant destinations that people visit during holidays, but also in the immediate surroundings of their homes. The Swedish Parliament has adopted 16 environmental quality objectives www.sverigesmiljomal.se (in Swedish and opens in new tab), eight of which include targets related to outdoor recreation. STF supports these environmental objectives, as functioning ecosystems, biodiversity, and the sustainable management of natural resources are fundamental prerequisites for the type of tourism that STF represents.
1. Sustainable tourism
STF shall generally promote sustainable tourism and offer destinations, accommodation, activities, and other products that have the least possible negative impact on the surrounding environment. This means that STF shall work to ensure that tourism development in Sweden contributes positively to natural and cultural environments as well as to local communities. STF shall also work to further develop and apply criteria and principles for sustainable tourism, both within STF and among other stakeholders in the Swedish tourism industry, public organizations, and civil society. To achieve this, it is important that STF is an active participant in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and development efforts initiated by political leadership (at all levels), the tourism industry, and organizations within the outdoor recreation, nature, and cultural sectors.
Sustainable transport and good accessibility
Tourism is based on people traveling to and from different places. In line with the sustainable development of tourism in Sweden, STF emphasizes the importance of sustainable transport and good accessibility to attractive natural and cultural areas across the country. STF shall work to increase and improve public transport options to accommodation and attractions. Other forms of infrastructure, such as trails for hiking, skiing, cycling, paddling, etc., as well as location-based information, serve an important function in making nature and culture accessible and enabling experiences, while also helping to protect against unwanted impact. A well-developed digital infrastructure throughout Sweden also supports more sustainable tourism in the future. STF believes that society, together with the tourism industry and outdoor recreation stakeholders, has an important responsibility to provide infrastructure and information that contribute to more sustainable tourism and improve accessibility for people with different needs and interests.
Efficient energy use
Sustainable nature and cultural tourism is closely linked to the energy challenges facing society today, not least the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Tourism itself involves energy consumption, as it requires transportation to and from destinations, heating of accommodation, and so on. At the same time, part of the appeal of tourism lies in experiencing new places that foster encounters between people. In its own operations, STF shall strive as far as possible to use environmentally friendly transport, minimize energy consumption, and rely on renewable energy sources.
Different energy systems also affect recreational landscapes in various ways, not least visually, for example through hydropower and the establishment of wind farms. STF supports renewable energy sources but also believes that significant consideration must be given to outdoor recreation and tourism interests when new developments are planned.
Locally produced food
Food is an important part of the tourism experience, and large quantities of food are handled at STF facilities, including in remote areas without road access. It is therefore particularly important that food handling is as sustainable as possible at every stage where STF can have an influence. There are also significant goal conflicts in this area. For example, the production of animal-based foods contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, while grazing animals play an important role in maintaining open landscapes and can create local employment. Local and regional considerations are therefore crucial in this matter. Food handled by STF should, as far as possible, be locally produced. In STF’s own operations, alternatives to animal-based products should have a prominent place and be presented in an attractive way.
2. Outdoor recreation for all
STF promotes its members’ interest in and opportunities for nature and cultural tourism, among other things by advocating for outdoor recreation that is attractive and accessible to a wide range of groups in society. This means ensuring good opportunities for nature experiences, well-being, social interaction, and increased knowledge of nature and culture, regardless of economic, physical, or other circumstances. STF aims to promote greater diversity within outdoor recreation that reflects developments in society as a whole. An important prerequisite for this is that people have good access to recreational areas close to where they live. STF also seeks to highlight the importance of a quiet, noise-free and clean natural environment in connection with outdoor recreation.
Local areas for recreation
For people’s health and well-being, it is important that the local environment encourages physical activity and other experiences outside the home. Outdoor recreation in nearby areas also reduces the need for long and energy-intensive travel. It is therefore important that land and water close to urban areas remain accessible for outdoor recreation, that the social values of forests are taken into account, and that there are open landscapes in the form of rich and accessible agricultural land. Cities, towns, and other built environments should provide a good and healthy living environment for people. Green spaces should be preserved and developed, which is particularly important in regions experiencing strong urbanization. Municipalities have a special responsibility in this regard, not least through the Planning and Building Act.
STF emphasizes that preserving and creating more local recreational areas is an important task for national, regional, and municipal spatial planning. There needs to be good access to well-prepared areas so that people with limited outdoor experience can also access nature in an inspiring and safe way. STF believes that nature reserves may need to be established to meet these needs, including marked trails, hiking and cycling paths, rest areas, and similar facilities, as well as parking areas. Currently, Sweden has only one national urban park, the Royal National City Park (Ekoparken) north of central Stockholm. STF believes that more should be established.
Noise-free and clean nature
Simply put, noise can be described as unwanted sound. Noise can arise in many different situations depending on various factors beyond the actual sound level. STF maintains that the fundamental principle should be people’s right to experience quiet, undisturbed, and clean natural environments. This means that STF’s own transport and other activities that generate noise should be limited and, as far as possible, concentrated to specific places and/or times where they cause the least disturbance. It also means that STF should not organize activities where environmentally disruptive motorized vehicles are the main form of transport or experience. In the following areas, STF considers it particularly important to work towards a noise-free environment:
The expansion of urban areas often leads to increased noise levels. STF therefore believes that spatial planning should place greater emphasis on protecting recreational areas within and near urban environments where people can experience a relaxing, quiet, and clean natural setting. In some areas, people should also have the opportunity to challenge themselves by navigating nature on its own terms.
- The expansion of urban areas often results in increased noise levels. STF therefore believes that spatial planning should place greater emphasis on protecting recreational areas within and near urban environments, where people can access relaxing, quiet, and clean natural settings. In some areas, people should also have the opportunity to challenge themselves by navigating nature on its own terms.
- Snowmobiles are a source of noise, particularly in the more open mountain landscapes. Exhaust fumes from snowmobiles are also often perceived as disturbing. Although snowmobile use is not covered by the Right of Public Access, it is generally permitted on snow-covered ground under the Off-Road Driving Act, provided that vegetation and land are not damaged. However, varying degrees of restrictions apply in regulated areas. Snowmobiles can be an important means of transport in northern regions, both for utility and recreational purposes. STF believes that snowmobile use should take place in a way that minimizes disturbance to other outdoor recreation users. This means that off-trail driving should only be permitted in designated areas, and that snowmobile and ski trails should be separated where possible. STF further emphasizes the importance of maintaining large, continuous natural and recreational areas that are completely free from motorized recreational traffic. When exemptions are granted for necessary transport by snowmobile or tracked vehicles in areas where driving is otherwise prohibited (for example, for goods or passenger transport to a facility), STF believes that such exemptions should be designed to minimize disturbance as much as possible.
- Motorized travel on water can also generate noise. This is particularly relevant given the increase in the number of personal watercraft (jet skis), which also raises the risk of accidents involving other outdoor recreation users. High speeds pose a danger to both people and wildlife, and lead to increased noise and pollution. STF believes that access and speed should be regulated in especially sensitive areas so that motorized water traffic does not cause unwanted noise or disturbance to others. Regarding jet skis, STF believes that County Administrative Boards, which decide on exemptions from the general ban outside designated waterways, should apply restrictive permitting practices with consideration for other outdoor recreation users.
- Air traffic of various kinds, especially at low altitudes, can be a significant source of noise. Overflights and landings, particularly by helicopter, are often perceived as disturbing. A growing issue is helicopter tourism in mountain areas that are otherwise protected from noise and where many visitors highly value undisturbed natural experiences. STF believes that all low-altitude air traffic should be conducted in a way that minimizes noise and other disturbances to wildlife and outdoor recreation users. In areas where motorized traffic on land or water is restricted, similar routing, or in some cases restrictions, should be applied to overflights and landings. When air traffic is routed, flight paths and altitudes should be chosen to minimize disturbance along hiking and ski trails.
3. Accessible nature and culture
The accessibility of natural and cultural landscapes is of great importance to STF and to its members’ opportunities for nature and cultural tourism in Sweden. This is ensured, among other things, through the Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten), shoreline protection, and access to well-maintained trails. Information and other forms of guidance are also important for accessibility and contribute to increased safety.
Safeguarding the Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten)
STF considers the Right of Public Access to be a cornerstone of Nordic, non-motorized outdoor recreation and an important aspect to safeguard for its members’ ability to spend time in nature. The Right of Public Access grants the freedom to move freely and without charge across someone else’s land or water and to collect certain natural products such as mushrooms, berries, and flowers, as long as this does not violate any laws (for example, regarding privacy, damage, littering, or protected species). STF therefore promotes a considerate and sustainable use of the Right of Public Access, an “everyman’s responsibility.” This includes, among other things, respecting ongoing land use and maintaining good dialogue with landowners where practically possible.
The Right of Public Access is also of great importance for nature and cultural tourism in Sweden, not least for the ability of organizations and companies to arrange tours on privately owned land. It can also be exercised collectively in organized forms, according to the Swedish Supreme Court ruling on river rafting from 1996. However, its use must not cause significant damage or inconvenience to property owners or others with specific rights to the land. This limitation is often summarized as “do not disturb, do not destroy.” STF believes that good dialogue between tourism organizers and landowners should always be encouraged to enable cooperation and avoid unnecessary disturbance.
Fit-for-purpose shorelineprotection
Shoreline protection plays a crucial role in enabling access to and from water, allowing people to spend time along shorelines, swim, and land boats. STF therefore considers it important to safeguard shoreline protection in order to preserve members’ opportunities for nature and cultural experiences. Shoreline protection has two main purposes: to ensure long-term public access to shore areas under the Right of Public Access, and to preserve good living conditions for plant and animal life both on land and in water. STF supports a differentiated approach to shoreline protection, with more restrictive exemptions in areas under high development pressure, and increased possibilities for exemptions to promote rural development in areas with lower pressure. To prevent gradual loss of shoreline access, STF believes that exemptions outside already developed land should be granted very restrictively in areas of high importance for outdoor recreation.
High-quality trails
STF supports the establishment of trails for various activities (such as skiing, hiking, cycling, and canoeing) and believes that public actors (the state and municipalities) have a major responsibility for maintaining trails that are used under the Right of Public Access. At the same time, STF welcomes collaboration with organizations within outdoor recreation and the tourism industry where appropriate.
Sweden has a large number of trails used for outdoor recreation and nature tourism. The national trail system in the mountains comprises more than 5,000 kilometers of trails for hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling. Outside the mountain regions, there are an additional approximately 15,000–20,000 kilometers of long-distance trails. Trails make nature more accessible, particularly for people with limited outdoor experience. By establishing trails in suitable terrain, it is also possible to reduce damage to the ground during snow-free periods, for example from mountain biking.
STF also believes that trails play an important role in informing visitors about the location, its nature, and cultural heritage. Trails should therefore be equipped with signage or, alternatively, use digital technology to convey information about interesting natural and cultural features. Trails are also important for improving safety, particularly in mountain areas, something STF actively works to promote.
4. Protection of valuable natural and cultural environments
The boundary between natural and cultural values is rarely distinct. Many urban recreational environments are characterized by high cultural values, but mountains, coastal areas, and forest landscapes also typically represent a combination of valuable natural and cultural environments. From a tourism perspective, the interaction between nature and culture is অত্যremely important. STF believes it is essential, particularly to promote sustainable tourism, that valuable natural and cultural environments are identified, preserved, and made visible. Fundamentally, this is a responsibility of the public sector, but through its activities, STF should contribute to ensuring that Sweden’s natural and cultural environments are known, visited, and preserved. When establishing national parks and nature reserves, significant consideration should be given to the needs of outdoor recreation, both in terms of infrastructure and the opportunity to experience untouched nature. When areas are designated as being of national interest, consideration should also be given to the interests of people who do not live locally.
STF is positive toward the establishment of nature reserves, both to secure access to valuable natural environments for outdoor recreation and tourism, and to protect nature from excessive wear or other negative impacts through regulations.
STF considers national parks to be an effective form of management for preserving valuable natural environments and promoting outdoor recreation and tourism. More areas should therefore be designated as national parks, particularly in mountain and coastal regions. STF believes that the requirement for state ownership may hinder the expansion and creation of national parks and should therefore be reconsidered.
STF believes that existing World Heritage Sites should be safeguarded and made accessible for sustainable nature and cultural tourism. Most of Sweden’s World Heritage Sites are wholly or partly based on cultural values, but some, such as Laponia, represent a valuable “mixed heritage” where nature and culture interact. STF believes these values deserve particular attention.
Cultural assets can be protected by designation as cultural reserves, listed buildings, ecclesiastical heritage sites, or ancient monuments, and may also be included in national urban parks. STF believes these forms of protection should be used more extensively, both to strengthen protection and to draw attention to these destinations.
Protecting valuable natural and cultural environments often involves a higher degree of infrastructure, such as visitor centers (naturum), shelters, trails, bridges, signage, and similar facilities. STF views this positively. This type of visitor service should be developed in dialogue or cooperation with local stakeholders in the tourism industry. At the same time, STF believes it is important to maintain attractive natural and outdoor areas that are not developed or adapted, allowing visitors to experience nature entirely on its own terms. Such areas should exist not only in remote regions but also within reach of good transport connections.
