Eco-tourism Norway

Eco-tourism is about how one runs a tour company, and how one travles as a tourist.

The United Nations designated the year 2002 as the "Year of Eco-Tourism". This marked the start of a new era for eco-toursim around the globe. Quality standards and other conditions for companies were put on the global agenda, culminating with the Québec Declaration and the UN Principles for Eco-tourism. It was no longer sufficient to offer merely nature-based activities to be concidered as an eco-tourism company. New eco-tourism associations were established to ensure that companies adhere to high quality standards through solid certification systems. In Norway we have also recently seen more emphasis being put on eco-toursim nationally as the Label "Ecotourism Norway" was founded.

An eco-tourism company is a company that:

• offers nature-based experiences,
• contributes actively towards the conservations of nature and cultural heritage,
• pays heed to local cultures and traditions,
• serves the local community,
• offers experiences that include learning opportunities, through which the guests acquire knowledge of nature, environment and local culture,
• always ensures that it is impacts on nature, culture, and local environment are limited.

Within this international framework for eco-tourism, a range of conditions and criteria are now being developed, adapted, and specified for the Norwgian national eco-tourism project. 

Because we are a Sertified Eco-Tourism Company we also have made promises to Klimaløftet that is the national public awareness climate campaign in Norway. Klimaløftet means to do a joint effort in order to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses. www.klimaloftet.no