Vättern doesn’t divide us – we all share Vättern

– sustainable travel is about meeting in a place text and photos: linda staaf

What do we mean by 'sustainable tourism'? The fact that something is sustainable really means it’s permanent, without change. But what we’re looking for is also an improvement, a development. In essence, what we want to improve is the quality of life of the people in a certain area. So instead of thinking about how we can develop a place more sustainably, we can ask ourselves the question – how can we improve the quality of life in this place? What can we do together, those of us who share an area – those of us who share Vättern?

Beloved Vättern

Those of us who live and work near Vättern get to enjoy the special feeling the lake offers on a daily basis, and we understand why the area attracts so many visitors. Regardless of whether we’re watching the sunrise from the western side or the sunset from the east, the lake invites us to pause for a moment and savour the instant and the place we're in. But the lake also serves various purposes for us – it’s a place for relaxation, a place for play and activity, a source of income, a reservoir of drinking water... a source of life itself.

Worth a visit – worth a life

Whatever the reason we come here, or how long we stay, we all share the place with others who all want to enjoy their time here.

Tourism and travel are encounters, where it should not be about taking up space, but of showing respect to others, of openly and curiously learning about each other and our different stories. Where the hosts try to create opportunities for activities and experiences that gently allow our guests to discover and enjoy what makes our place worth a visit, or even worth a life.

The good life

Vättern has become a natural boundary for the four regions surrounding the lake, but it is also something that brings us together. Instead we are united and gathered around Vättern, with a single question – how can I contribute to helping Vättern and the good life here flourish, both now and in the future?

A holiday for life

The above text isn’t just a tribute to Vättern and the local communities and natural areas surrounding the lake. It also sums up the message about what sustainable development is all about, where ecological, social and economic perspectives all go hand in hand In addition to environmental and climate issues, the well-being of the local population is also of great importance, as is the fact that all of us depend on the flourishing of animal and plant life. To develop and improve this place for future generations, we need to learn from one another – that's why coming together, meeting and travel is so valuable, as long as they involve a desire to improve things.

Here's how, as a host, you can help improve a place:

• Use your resources to improve the environment for everything that lives in the area. Make the place even more precious through the work you do and the life you live.

• Inform visitors about the most suitable places to visit at the current time, and which ones should be avoided with respect for the people, plants and animals that live there today.

• Remember that what we do today affects the lives of everyone and everything that comes after us. Create and improve the conditions for a greater diversity of animal and plant life.

• Many of us collaborate and shop locally – let your guests and customers know by telling them more about your suppliers and partners.

Here's how, as a visitor, you can help improve a place:

• Visit your destination outside the high season.

• Don't geotag locations in nature. If you find a treasure – keep it to yourself!

Perhaps the word life-giving would be better than sustainable in this context? Why not try and run a life-giving business or go on a life-giving holiday?

• Shop from and work with small-scale local businesses to benefit the local economy.

• Show respect for the environment.

• Learn from those who know the place best.

• Take your time; this is the best way to learn about a place, to make a better connection with it and the people who live there.