NCE Tourism – Fjord Norway Region Joins GSTC
May 2018 – NCE Tourism – Fjord Norway in Western Norway, has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a destination member.
NCE Tourism – Fjord Norway is a tourism cluster with a focus on adventure travel. The cluster unites adventure companies (tour operators, destinations, transportation and accommodation providers) with research and education institutes as well as public policymakers. Its vision for this particular work method, cluster, is to develop the Fjord Norway region in Western Norway into a place of world-leading sustainable adventure tourism.
“We are very pleased to welcome NCE Tourism – Fjord Norway to GSTC,” says Randy Durband. “Becoming a GSTC member involves taking a pledge to adhere to the GSTC Criteria — which is not a form of certification, but an entry point to follow universal sustainability principles in the management and development of their tourism. We are glad that NCE Tourism, that was involved in Fjord Norway Early Adoption of the GSTC Destination Criteria, continues to apply the GSTC Criteria and engage with GSTC.”
“NCE Tourism – Fjord Norway is very pleased to be back as a member with GSTC,” says Dag Jarle Aksnes, CEO of NCE Tourism. “Last year NCE Tourism Fjord Norway together with 10 other major organizations made a roadmap for sustainable tourism development in Norway 2050. Our vision is to be in a world-leading position with GSTC and other organizations pursuing sustainability practices in development and management of tourism.”
The Norwegian fjords have a tourism history dating back to 1850. The area is known for its pristine natural beauty and its stunning fjords and has won many accolades. In 2006, two of its fjords were named among the world’s best-cared-for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in 2009 the region was rated the world’s most iconic travel destination by National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine. Along with support from the Norwegian government, Fjord Norway has come far in sustainable practices. They have developed a regional “white book” establishing criteria for sustainable thinking within the adventure travel trade industry and have a 10-year project in place, to develop the region as a leading adventure travel destination with a focus on sustainability. NCE Tourism has taken a leading position in the Norwegian tourism sector to protect and commit to the unspoiled natural landscape of Western Norway. Together with research partners, public authorities, and collaborative organizations, NCE Tourism has initiated a R&D project to identify action gaps and approach weaknesses in the current practice of nature degradation. By increasing awareness both within the tourism industry and within public authorities the goal is to emphasize and protect the unspoiled ecosystemservices for current and future adventure experiences.
GSTC encourages destinations pursuing sustainability practices in development and management of tourism, to join as GSTC members and apply the GSTC Destination Criteria, which eventually can lead to being certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
