Arcticmint values
What matters most to us as part of the travel industry.
Responsible Business
Sustainability is about how we run our business. Transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement are the principles that guide our daily decisions.
Certifications and accountability. Arcticmint holds the Biosphere certification, which is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and assessed through independent audits. We also carry the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label, awarded by Visit Finland to companies that have completed the STF sustainability pathway and demonstrated a concrete commitment to responsible tourism. These certifications require us to set measurable targets, report on our progress annually, and continuously improve.
Guest-centered service. Every stay at Arcticmint is personal. We do not offer mass tourism, we offer one family, one group, one experience at a time. This allows us to truly listen to our guests, adapt to their needs, and ensure that every detail of their stay reflects our values. From dietary needs to accessibility considerations, we work with each guest individually before and during their visit.
Transparent communication. We believe our guests deserve to know what we do and why. If you have questions about our sustainability practices, our certifications, or our inclusion commitments, we are always happy to share openly. Sustainability is not a finished project, for Arcticmint, it is a journey, and we invite you to be part of it.
Sustainability
Arcticmint is a Biosphere-certified and Sustainable Travel Finland -labelled villa in Rovaniemi. We protect Arctic nature, support local communities, and welcome every guest equally - We as Arcticmint are proudly part of the We Speak Gay community.
Arcticmint is a Biosphere-certified private villa on the shore of Lake Norvajärvi, 15 minutes from Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland. We believe that nature belongs to everyone, and so does Arcticmint. Sustainability here is built on three pillars: protecting the Arctic environment through low-impact practices, supporting local communities and culture, and welcoming every guest with equal respect and care. As a Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) labelled company and a proud member of the We Speak Gay community, Arcticmint is committed to responsible, inclusive hospitality where comfort in nature and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
At Arcticmint, sustainability is not a separate programme: it is the way we live. This villa sits on land that has belonged to our family for generations. The forest, the lake, the silence - they are not backdrops to a holiday. They are the reason this place exists.
When we opened our home to guests, we made a promise: that every person who stays here will leave the Arctic exactly as they found it, or better. That promise shapes everything we do, from how we heat the villa to how we greet you at the door.
At Arcticmint, luxury means more than beautiful surroundings. We believe that true luxury is not about excess. It is about feeling safe, respected, and welcome exactly as you are, in a place so carefully tended that you can breathe deeply, sleep soundly, and simply be yourself.
Arctic Nature
The nature around Lake Norvajärvi is not a resource we use, it is a partner we protect. Our lakeside location is surrounded by old forests, clean waters, and Arctic silence. It comes with a responsibility we take seriously every single day.
We live by a Lappish principle: walk on foot, work by hand — take only what you need, never more.
What this means in practice:
Energy and heating: The villa is heated with sustainable energy sources, and we continuously monitor and reduce our energy consumption. Every season, we evaluate our systems and look for ways to do better.
Waste and water: We follow waste sorting and recycling practices. Our water comes from the pristine local source, and we minimise consumption through mindful daily choices — from biodegradable cleaning products to reducing single-use materials.
Leave No Trace principles: Every experience we offer, from snowshoeing through the forest to fishing on the frozen lake, follows Leave No Trace principles. We guide our guests to enjoy the Arctic nature without disturbing it.
Biodiversity. We protect the natural habitat around the villa. The forest, the lakeshore, and the wildlife corridors remain untouched. When we develop new experiences, we always ask: does this serve nature, or only us?
Our Biosphere certification, awarded by the Responsible Tourism Institute under United Nations sustainability criteria, and our Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label are not endpoints. They are frameworks for continuous improvement. We report on our progress annually, undergo independent audits, and hold ourselves accountable to measurable goals.
People – every guest is welcome
People and Culture
Arcticmint does not exist in isolation. We are part of a living community — the people of Rovaniemi, the families of Norvajärvi, the small businesses and artisans of Finnish Lapland. Responsibility towards these people and their culture is at the heart of what we do.
Local partnerships. We work with local experience providers, guides, and artisans rather than large tour operators. When you enjoy a reindeer encounter, a forest ski tour, or a traditional Finnish meal during your stay, the people behind those experiences are our neighbours, families who have called Lapland home for generations. Your visit directly supports their livelihood.
Fair employment. As a small, family-run company, every person who works with Arcticmint is valued and treated fairly. We believe that genuinely warm hospitality can only come from people who feel respected and appreciated in their work.
Accessibility. We believe that genuine hospitality means making people feel welcome both emotionally and physically. The ground floor of the Arcticmint villa is accessible, and an entrance ramp has been built to make arrival easier for guests using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Accessibility is part of Arcticmint’s core philosophy: we want our services and spaces to feel as barrier-free as possible, both physically and emotionally.
Every Guest Is Welcome: Our Commitment to Inclusion
This is perhaps the part of our sustainability work that is closest to our hearts.
We believe that a truly responsible tourism company does not only protect the environment and support the local economy. It also ensures that every person, regardless of their background, identity, gender, or whom they love, feels safe, seen, and celebrated.
This is why we are proud members of the We Speak Gay community. We Speak Gay is a Finnish network of tourism businesses committed to LGBTQ+ inclusive communication and genuine hospitality. As members, we have completed LGBTQ+ awareness training and committed to visible, active inclusion, not just tolerance, but a real welcome.
What this means for you as a guest:
When you arrive at Arcticmint, you arrive as yourself. You do not need to wonder whether your family will be understood, whether your partner will be welcomed, or whether you need to explain who you are. You are home.
We display the We Speak Gay logo not as a marketing gesture, but as a promise. A promise that at Arcticmint, love is love, family is family, and every guest receives the same warmth, attention, and care.
For LGBTQ+ travellers, choosing a holiday destination can carry an emotional weight that many people never have to consider. We understand that holidays should give you energy, not take it. Lapland's vast, peaceful nature is a place where you can truly be yourself, far from judgement, surrounded by people who see you for exactly who you are.
