The City of Tampere’s Experience Economy Development Programme has awarded the 2025 Sustainable Experience Economy Prize to Restaurant Kajo. The prize, worth €2,500, is given to a Tampere-based tourism, restaurant, or event industry operator who has advanced sustainability in a long-term and verifiable way. The recipient was selected by a panel of experts from the City of Tampere and Visit Tampere.
According to the panel, Kajo stood out for its comprehensive commitment to promoting sustainability. The restaurant has embedded responsible practices throughout its entire service chain. Sustainability principles are reflected in the restaurant’s identity, values, and cuisine, as well as in the way Kajo both respects and renews Tampere’s food culture. The panel also highlighted how Kajo has successfully woven sustainability into its storytelling and overall service experience. The restaurant has gained international recognition for its work and has been identified as a leader in responsible dining in the 360° Eat Guide, which names Kajo as one of Tampere’s most compelling sustainability-driven restaurants.
- We are extremely honoured and delighted by this recognition. Sustainability has been a fundamental value for us from the beginning, so receiving acknowledgment specifically in this area is truly wonderful. Sustainable and responsible practices must be part of every community’s and individual’s daily life and operations, and we are proud to highlight their importance, says restaurateur Marko Simunaniemi, Kajo & Villit ja Viinit.
Sustainability and the development of the experience economy are key elements of Tampere’s strategy.
- The Sustainable Experience Economy Prize is our way of showing support for tourism, restaurant, and event industry operators in the region who advance sustainable practices. Congratulations and thank you to Kajo for its exemplary work, says Anna-Kaisa Heinämäki, Director of Competitiveness for the City of Tampere.
The Sustainable Experience Economy Prize was awarded as part of the Visit Tampere Festival, organised by Visit Tampere. During the event, Visit Tampere also presented the Visit Tampere Award to Uumen Hotels. In addition, Visit Tampere recognised two new tourism companies—Rotval Tours and Pirkka Lines—with the Visit Tampere Start Up Award, and Pyynikki Observation Tower won the Audience Choice Award.
- The City of Tampere recently won the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2026 title, and sustainability and responsibility are major, timely themes for us. We work closely with Visit Tampere to develop and support a responsible experience economy and tourism, Heinämäki adds.
