Questions and Answers: Cooperation Agreement Practices for Tourism Companies

General Information About the Agreements

What types of companies can enter into a tourism cooperation agreement with Metsähallitus?

Metsähallitus, particularly Parks & Wildlife Finland, concludes tourism cooperation agreements with tourism companies that wish to commit to the principles of sustainable tourism and use protected areas managed by Metsähallitus, such as national parks and national hiking areas, in their business operations or marketing.

What types of agreements are available for tourism companies?

There are two types of cooperation agreements:

1. Tourism Cooperation Agreement with Transfer of Rights of Use
   If a company in its business operations uses Metsähallitus hiking infrastructure, such as marked trails, campfire sites, rest areas, toilets, bridges, piers or huts, the company must conclude an agreement with right of use and pay an annual usage fee based on the estimated level of use (see section “Agreement Fees and Payments”).
   The company commits to the principles of sustainable tourism and the Metsähallitus Code of Conduct. The fee is based on decrees concerning Metsähallitus issued by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry under section 8 of the Act on Criteria for Charges Payable to the State (150/1992).
   
2. A cooperation Agreement Without Transfer of Rights of Use i.e. Communicational Cooperation Agreement
   A company that does not use hiking infrastructure maintained by Metsähallitus may conclude a communicational cooperation agreement. The company pays the one-off basic agreement fee but no annual usage fee. The company still commits to the principles of sustainable tourism and the Metsähallitus Code of Conduct. This agreement is suitable, for example, for accommodation, restaurant, and transport service providers.

Read more:

• Principles of Sustainable Tourism in national parks, nature and cultural heritage sites, and World Heritage Sites
• Metsähallitus Code of Conduct.

The usage fee is paid by the company that takes customers to Metsähallitus destinations. For example, a tour operator does not pay the fee if it does not guide customers on site. The subcontractor, such as an activity service provider that guides the customers, pays the fee.

Tour operators may choose to enter into a communicational agreement with Metsähallitus.

What is included in Metsähallitus hiking infrastructure?

Metsähallitus hiking infrastructure includes:

• Marked trails and routes
• Campfire sites
• Toilets
• Campfire huts and lean-to shelters
• Bridges
• Piers and jetties
• Wilderness huts and day-use huts for day visits
• Reservable huts and rental huts for an additional fee.

These structures are located on state-owned lands, including protected areas managed by Parks & Wildlife Finland, such as national parks and wilderness areas, and in state-owned multiple-use forests.

The usage fees are used for the maintenance of trails and hiking infrastructure. Waste removal is not included. Under the agreement, companies must take away the waste and litter generated by their activities.

What benefits does a company receive through a tourism cooperation agreement?

• The right to use the logos of the national parks in which the company operates.
• Access to communication materials, such as photographs and digital materials, and the opportunity to use the national park brand in the company’s operations.
• The possibility to sell official national park logo products
• Guidance on the principles of sustainable tourism and operating in protected areas
• Visibility in Metsähallitus communication channels.
• Membership in the Parks & Wildlife Finland partner network and opportunities to participate in the development of sustainable tourism
• Visibility for the company’s products in the Luontoon.fi service.
• Companies holding a tourism cooperation agreement with transfer of right of use are additionally entitled to use Metsähallitus hiking infrastructure in their business operations.

Agreement Fees and Payments

How much does a tourism cooperation agreement cost?

The cost of a tourism cooperation agreement with transfer of right of use consists of:

• A one-off agreement fee for the entire contract period: €100 + VAT 25.5%
• An annual usage fee according to the pricing categories below.

The fee for using hiking infrastructure is based on the estimated annual number of customers. Annual use must be estimated or calculated per person per day.

Payment categories:

• 0–50 customers/year: €60 + VAT 25.5%
• 51–200 customers/year: €240 + VAT 25.5%
• 201–500 customers/year: €600 + VAT 25.5%
• 501–1,000 customers/year: €1,130 + VAT 25.5%
• 1,001–2,000 customers/year: €2,260 + VAT 25.5%
• 2,001–3,000 customers/year: €3,750 + VAT 25.5%
• More than 3,000 customers/year: negotiated separately.

If a company brings a group to a Metsähallitus destination only occasionally and the activity is not regular or recurring, the company may pay a one-time fee of €75 + VAT through the Eräluvat.fi service. The maximum group size is 50 persons.

For significant commercial events organized in protected areas or hiking areas, where participation or admission fees are charged, Metsähallitus issues an event consent. The fee is €1.25 per participant per day + VAT 25.5%. Read more about organising events.

How are the agreement and usage fee paid

Metsähallitus primarily sends invoices to companies based in Finland as e-invoices. If e-invoicing is not possible, invoices are sent by post.

Please note: Invoices to companies based outside Finland are sent by post. If needed, companies may also request a copy of the invoice by email.

• The agreement fee is charged once and invoiced approximately one month after the agreement is signed.
• The annual fee is invoiced once per year at the time agreed in the contract.
• Larger fees may be paid in instalments.
• The annual fee stated in the agreement is based on the company’s estimate of annual customer numbers.
• If the activity is one-off, the company may pay a one-time visitor facility fee through Eräluvat.fi service instead of entering into an agreement. The company must still comply with Metsähallitus’ Code of Conduct and Principles of Sustainable Tourism.

Amending the Agreement

My business is expanding to a new area. How can I add a new area to my agreement and what does it cost?

Please notify us by email at matkailuyhteistyo@metsa.fi.

New operating areas are added to the cooperation agreement by making an amendment signed by both parties. The company will not be charged for adding or removing operating areas. However, the company should assess whether the expansion of operating areas affects its annual payment category.

I have a communicational agreement but will now start providing guided tours. Can I upgrade my agreement?

Yes. A communication agreement can be changed into a tourism cooperation agreement with transfer of rights of use upon request.

The request can be submitted to your contact person or by e-mail to matkailuyhteistyo@metsa.fi. A new agreement will be prepared and signed by both parties. No new agreement fee is charged, but the company will thereafter pay the annual usage fee according to the payment category.

We want to change our fee category because our customer volume has changed. What should we do?

Changes in the agreement are made with an amendment signed by both parties.

Requests should be submitted to your contact person or by e-mail to matkailuyhteistyo@metsa.fi.

The amendment itself is free of charge.

Changes are normally applied to the following calendar year. If customer numbers increase significantly, the difference can be invoiced already during the current year. If the category decreases, previously paid fees are not refunded.

Examples of Common Questions

Why is the usage fee paid in advance rather than afterwards?

When the usage volume is agreed in advance, companies can focus on serving their customers instead of counting individual visits throughout the year. The system is efficient and reduces administrative work. If usage levels change, the agreement can be amended.

Do we need to pay the usage fee if we operate in a national park without using hiking infrastructure such as marked trails or campfire sites?

No. The fee only applies when a company uses hiking infrastructure maintained by Metsähallitus. A national park or other state-owned area alone does not create an obligation to pay the fee.

National parks are nature reserves, and their valuable natural features must not be damaged. Trails and structures support both a good visitor experience and nature conservation. As a rule, visitors should use marked trails, especially when moving in large numbers or groups.

Companies operating without using hiking infrastructure may choose to enter into a communication agreement instead.

Our company operates throughout Finland. Can we include all national parks and protected areas in the agreement?

The agreement can include several destinations. However, we recommend selecting only those areas where the company actually operates.

Providing accurate operating areas in the agreement helps Metsähallitus plan maintenance resources appropriately and ensures that company information is displayed only on relevant destination pages in Luontoon.fi service.

Additional areas can be added later through an amendment to the agreement.

Is a usage fee charged for events?

If an event uses hiking infrastructure maintained by Metsähallitus, including trails, and an admission or participation fee is charged, the organiser must pay a usage fee based on the estimated number of participants.

The fee is €1.25 per participant per day + VAT 25.5%.

Generally, an event notification should always be submitted in advance so that natural values and customer safety can be considered.

If participation in the event is free of charge, no usage fee is required, but an event notification must be submitted.

We pay the annual fee but often find the campfire sites occupied. What should we do?

The rest areas are intended for shared use and cannot be reserved exclusively for a company’s customers. You should always give space to others and kindly ask the other do so as well.

If guaranteed access is required, the company should book a reservable site such as a reservation hut, rental hut or reservable campfire site. Reservable sites can be found in the Eräluvat and Luontoon services or by contacting national customer service.

Do we need to pay for the use of marked trails at urban recreation areas such as Aulanko?

Yes. The usage fee also applies when marked trails maintained by Metsähallitus are used in business operations, regardless of whether toilets or campfire sites are available.

Do we pay a annual usage fee if we have already booked a shared rental or rental hut?

If a company books paid accommodation or a paid rest facility for its customers, no separate annual usage fee is charged for that facility or for trail access directly associated with reaching it.

From 1 January 2027 onward, if a company uses other hiking infrastructure in addition to a shared rental hut, rental hut or paid rest facility, the use of those additional facilities will be subject to the annual usage fee.

Do we pay the fee when our staff visit Metsähallitus sites for recreation?

No. The fee only applies when customers have paid to participate in an activity or when the activity is included in a paid travel package.

Can we get a refund if we had fewer customers than expected?

No. Fees are not refunded under the agreement terms.

Do we need to pay for using piers or jetties?

No, if the pier is used only to transport customers to a destination, similarly to a bus transfer.

If the company also conducts guided activities using hiking infrastuctures at the destination, the fee must be paid.

How can a company prove in the field that it has paid the annual fee?

The guide or group leader should carry, either electronically or on paper, the first page of the agreement showing the company name and validity period of the agreement.

Will fees be refunded if visitor facilities are removed by Metsähallitus?

If facilities become unavailable due to reasons attributable to Metsähallitus and no replacement location is available, fees may be refunded for the affected customer volume.

We would like to build our own operational base near a recreation area. What should we do?

As a general rule, permits for private company bases are not granted within protected areas.

If a suitable site exists in a nearby state-owned multiple-use forest or another area intended for business activities, permission must be sought from Metsähallitus Real Estate Development.

Our educational institution organises wilderness courses. Do we need a tourism cooperation agreement?

No, provided that the activity is not commercial business.

Educational activities organised by universities, universities of applied sciences, training centres and other educational institutions do not require a tourism cooperation agreement.

However, events and large group camps organised on Metsähallitus lands must be reported to Metsähallitus in advance. Read more about organising events.

We organise snowmobile safaris and use Metsähallitus campfire sites. Do we need both a safari consent and a tourism cooperation agreement?

Yes.

If a company uses Metsähallitus hiking infrastucture in its business operations, it must enter into a tourism cooperation agreement with user rights in addition to obtaining the necessary safari consent. Read more: https://www.eraluvat.fi/en/entrepreneurs/safaris-and-sled-transports

Feedback to Metsähallitus

How can partner companies influence Metsähallitus’ operations?

Companies can participate in stakeholder meetings, provide suggestions through their contact persons, and respond to annual surveys and customer studies.

How can we submit feedback?

Feedback can be submitted through the feedback form on Metsähallitus’ websites metsa.fi and on feedback form on Luontoon.fi Service (luontoon.fi).

Feedback is also welcome during meetings and through the tourism cooperation contact person matkailuyhteistyo@metsa.fi.

Communications

How can our company’s information be displayed on Luontoon.fi?

Luontoon.fi uses Visit Finland’s DataHub product database (datahub.visitfinland.com) to display services and products provided by partner companies.

Detailed instructions are available on the page describing partner company visibility in the Luontoon.fi service.

What other communication benefits do we receive?

• Access to Metsähallitus’ image bank
• Access to Outdoor Etiquette materials
• Opportunity to order products bearing national park and destination logos
• Potential visibility through Metsähallitus social media channels and communications.

A paid parking pilot has been introduced at destinations where we operate. Do we also need to pay parking fees?

Parks & Wildlife Finland has launched a paid parking pilot at selected destinations.

During the pilot period, staff of tourism cooperation partner companies may park free of charge when carrying out work-related duties. Detailed instructions will be provided when the agreement is signed.

Why do companies need to pay an annual usage fee when the facilities are otherwise free for the public?

Hiking infrastructures are generally free for recreational use by all visitors.

However, when facilities are used as part of commercial business operations, the company is granted a right to use hiking infrastructure maintained by the Metsähallitus. Under legislation governing charges payable to Metsähallitus, the commercial use of visitor facilities constitutes a chargeable service.

I often guide school and kindergarten groups in a national park. Do I need to pay an useage fee?

No. The annual usage fee is not charged for school groups or kindergarten groups.

Further information

• Tourism Services in Protected Areas.