Restaurants Ravintola Nallikari & Bistoria Patio are on their way towards GreenKey certification.
ProDine Oy, responsible for the operations of Ravintola Nallikari and Bistro Patio, has taken significant steps in promoting sustainability and is on its way towards GreenKey certification. The goal is to continue offering high-quality food produced locally and responsibly while collaborating with other local tourism entrepreneurs to develop Nallikari into an even more sustainable travel destination.
GreenKey is an international eco-label awarded to tourism operators who meet strict criteria for sustainability and environmental friendliness. ProDine Oy, responsible for the operations of Bistoria Iso-Syöte, Ravintola Nallikari, and Bistoria Patio, is committed to developing sustainable tourism and is now on its way towards certifying Ravintola Nallikari and Bistro Patio. The certification for Bistoria Iso-Syöte was successfully obtained in 2023.”
“Our journey towards obtaining the GreenKey certification began in spring 2023 in collaboration with local tourism entrepreneurs in the Syöte region when we started developing more sustainable tourism at Bistoria Iso-Syöte. We believe that sustainability is the key to ensuring that everyone can enjoy Finland’s pristine nature in a responsible way,” says Janne Gehör, CEO of ProDine Oy.
Concrete actions for the environment
Achieving the GreenKey certification has required concrete measures, many of which have been implemented directly in the Nallikari restaurants as well. At Iso-Syöte, all detergents and soaps in Bistoria have been replaced with 100% biodegradable products, and water usage has been optimized by adjusting the water tap pressure, which has reduced water consumption by up to 60%. Additionally, recycling has been improved, and staff have been trained to operate according to the principles of sustainable tourism.
At Ravintola Nallikari, we have operated according to sustainable development principles from the beginning, and Bistro Patio has been designed entirely in accordance with GreenKey certification criteria. For us, sustainability is not just a goal; it is already an ingrained way of operating,” says Gehör.
Certification as a competitive advantage for domestic and international markets
The process of applying for the GreenKey certification has progressed smoothly, and the audit for both Nallikari restaurants is scheduled for the end of November. According to Gehör, the biggest ‘aha moments’ during the application process have been the feelings of success in realizing how many things were already well managed. The most significant task has been documenting these existing practices in the manner required by the certification. Gehör also sees the certification as a valuable competitive advantage and a prerequisite for the domestic and international tourism industry and trade.
“We consider the certification to be a very important competitive advantage. More and more customers are choosing their travel destinations and restaurants based on their own values and want to support sustainable development,” says Gehör. “Environmental certifications like GreenKey serve as strong indicators of trust and credibility for international customers and travel agencies. The certification clearly demonstrates that our operations are transparent, responsible, and in line with sustainable development,” Gehör continues.
Strength through collaboration
Tourism operators in the Nallikari area have collaborated with BusinessOulu and VisitOulu as part of the Smart and Transformative Oulu Region (STORe) project to create a sustainable tourism development plan. The developed tourism plan spans several years and aims to advance the tourism area sustainably as a strong and cohesive entity.
“The sustainable tourism development plan created in collaboration with tourism operators in the Nallikari area reinforces actions and goals aligned with our common objectives. We plan to hold joint meetings at least twice a year, where all operators in the area can update their sustainability efforts. This way, we can ensure that development continues to be strong and cohesive in the future,” comments Gehör.
