Tavinsulka offers many activities on Central Finland’s waterways in both summer and winter. The company cherishes Finland’s waterways:
“Finland’s waterways are an internationally unique environment, and experiencing them is a unique experience for international customers,” says Béla Pavelka, owner of Tavinsulka.
Tavinsulka was granted the Sustainable Travel Finland certificate at the end of 2022.
The company was founded in 1989 when the journey began with three Canadian canoes. Through its activities, the company brought a third star to the Jyväskylä campsite. Over the years, the amount of equipment and services has gradually increased. Nowadays, Tavinsulka offers its customers sports on open water and water tourism. In winter, there is ice and snow sailing, snowshoeing and ski treks.
Béla Pavelka, who has owned Tavinsulka since 2008, started his career as a farmhand for the previous owner, Seppo. In the beginning, Béla guided visitors on the water. His job description also included developing canoeing activities by himself. His development ideas were reflected everywhere. For example, a new canoe club was born, as was the topic for a doctoral dissertation.
Tavinsulka uses a “leave nothing behind” approach to reduce its ecological footprint. The equipment that the company uses is top-quality and durable. When the canoes, kayaks and SUP boards reach the end of their life cycle in commercial use, they are passed on for further use by private individuals.
Since its establishment, Tavinsulka has been a pioneer in sustainable and responsible development. Quality, responsibility and sustainability are evident in the company’s daily operations. The belief at Tavinsulka is that quality is a process, not a state. Tavinsulka uses a “leave nothing behind” approach to reduce its ecological footprint. The equipment is top-quality and durable. When the canoes, kayaks and SUP boards reach the end of their life cycle in commercial use, they are passed on for further use by private individuals.
Nature- and water activities designed for specific groups are driven by the desire to increase equality and inclusiveness in tourism. Social responsibility is visible in Tavinsulka’s cooperation with different organisations and societies. Whenever possible, Tavinsulka favours local partners and employees.
In addition to its own activities, Tavinsulka expects its customers do things in a safe and environmentally friendly way. This concerns equipment maintenance, safety and respect for sustainable nature tourism.
Tavinsulka strongly believes in “every man’s obligations” rather than “every man’s rights”. Nature tourism cannot be mass tourism, as nature has only a limited carrying capacity.
So what does the future hold for sustainable tourism at Tavinsulka? At least a sustainably increasing number of international customers on Finland’s waterways. Tavinsulka strongly believes in “every man’s obligations” rather than “every man’s rights”. Nature tourism cannot be mass tourism, as nature has only a limited carrying capacity. The objective of the strategic development of operations is to create several service points along the Keitele-Päijänne channel (about 500 km), which would work in close cooperation. That is an aim that would also bring financial sustainability to the water tourism of Central Finland.
