We care about the future of our destinations. We are committed to sustainable tourism development through projects, workshops and presentations in Finland, Sweden, Iceland, and Norway. Only by bringing together different tourism stakeholders, we can find joint solutions to the challenges of our time.
Skåne in Southern Sweden
Skåne offers lively towns, fertile expanses near the sea and inland, outdoor activities in national parks as well as authentic and fresh gastronomy. Skåne is considered the breadbasket of Sweden and has a wide variety of organically produced food — from vegetables to meat all the way to wine. The destination development project builds on these strengths.
In partnership with the organisation Tourism in Skåne, Kontiki has set itself the goal of extending the tourist season from April to October and sustainably improving the quality of life for guests and the local population alike. The aim is to organise travel in such a way that it has a positive impact on nature, culture, the local population, and local economic value creation. Thanks to collaboration along the entire value chain, the involvement of new players as well as grassroots development, this project is setting new standards.
Development of new offers in Malmö, Hässleholm and Trelleborg
The regions around the cities of Hässleholm, Trelleborg and Malmö are currently the focus of the destination development. These regions each utilise their own network, from the municipality to the boat hire company through to the shop owner. This ensures that the needs and wishes of the local people are heard and that together, solutions and unforgettable experiences are created.
Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden and one of the country's cultural centres. In future, this multicultural diversity is to be reflected in the tourism product and for example make the hitherto largely unknown outer neighbourhoods accessible to tourists. With the involvement of various local non-profit organisations and a bicycle rental company, three prototype offers are being developed for authentic gastronomy, hidden treasures in the field of art, e.g. street art, as well as urban ecology, when visiting an «urban farm» or one of the completely plant-covered houses. By means of encounters between travelling guests and residents — e.g. through food or art — the locals become more visible.
Public transport in Hässleholm is to be improved for guests and the local population. There is currently no connection between the hinterland and the public transport network, which is why Kontiki is working with the municipality and the service provider to develop themed bus loops for those interested in culture and activities, which in future will create petal-like patterns around Hässleholm. This gives locals and guests the opportunity to discover the activities, attractions, and swimming lakes in the surrounding area in an ecological and uncomplicated way.
With its lighthouse at the harbour, Trelleborg in the very south of Sweden has become a popular selfie spot over the years. But the region has much more to offer - fishing and farming are practised, ceramics are produced, and the region offers countless stories about the legendary Vikings. In line with the motto «Come as you are, experience as we are», the aim of the development in conjunction with the local players is for guests to feel the heartbeat of the destination, be it by accompanying a fisherman on his fishing trip, visiting a craft workshop, or taking part in cultural life.
Continuous dialogue and involvement of customers
The regions around the cities of Hässleholm, Trelleborg and Malmö are developing so-called prototypes of sustainable experiences, which are then further developed in a dialogue between Tourism in Skåne and Kontiki. The first prototypes were tested on an agents' trip in September 2022. The regions then adapted their prototypes according to the feedback and prepared for the next round of testing as part of a client trip in May 2023. The aim of such close feedback loops is to ensure that we can learn quickly to fulfil and hopefully even exceed the needs and wishes of the local population and guests with sustainable experiences.
Video of Visit Skåne by Kontiki Reisen
Take a look behind the scenes of the project and watch us and our partners develop the experiences.
The video is also available in full length:
Interested in travelling to Southern Sweden?
ENGAGE North Iceland — our commitment in the Arctic Circle
North Iceland fascinates with its impressive natural wonders and secluded fishing villages, both in summer and winter. These include Akureyri, the capital of the North, Húsavík, known for its whale safaris, and the region around Lake Mývatn. Here you will encounter fascinating pseudo-craters, solfataras and bizarre lava formations. A stop at Dettifoss, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the northern hemisphere, and the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi gorge are also a must on your journey through North Iceland. Along the Arctic Coast Way — which almost reaches the Arctic Circle — you will experience authentic Icelandic life with all its tranquillity and beauty.
In order to maintain these values for the long term, Kontiki is committed to sustainable development in North Iceland and is actively involved in shaping tourism. To this end, we have initiated a sustainable tourism development project together with Visit North Iceland. The project focuses on climate protection, nature and animal conservation as well as the promotion of year-round tourism — all with the involvement of the local population.
The aim is for North Iceland to become the most sustainable region in Iceland. To this end, a joint vision for sustainable development has been developed, building on the national tourism strategy. To bring this local vision to life, we conducted focus group interviews with over 30 North Islanders: From accommodation, museums, transport companies, policymakers, associations, academia and activity providers to local fishermen and restaurants — everyone was involved, everyone is engaged. We wanted to better understand what commitment already exists locally and how we can create synergies and strengthen cooperation between all stakeholders — because sustainable development can only be achieved by working together.
After talking to various tourism stakeholders individually during the interviews, we brought them all together at the ENGAGE Forum in May 2022 in the Hof at Akureyri. Together with around 50 North Icelanders, we developed a mission and values statement and derived concrete steps for action. From charging stations for electric cars, visitor guidelines and responsible treatment of animals and nature to better networking and coordination of tourist highlights — the forum has set numerous things in motion.
Further commitments
Kontiki utilises opportunities to advocate for sustainable tourism development at workshops, conferences and in the parliaments of the destinations.
Finnish Lapland
Kontiki's longest-standing collaboration is with Luosto in Finnish Lapland. In recent years, we have succeeded in ensuring that the Luosto holiday region has opted for high-quality and sustainable tourism — and that we are therefore able to enhance the customer experience in the long term. The measures include, for example, minimising light emissions from street lighting, ensuring that buildings are not built higher than the trees and that the trails for the various activities are coordinated. Today, Pyhä-Luosto is a pilot destination for the national «Sustainable Travel Finland Label».
Northern Norway
In 2021, Lofoten as a destination and Kontiki hosted a virtual Lofoten workshop. The aim was to promote new collaborations for sustainable product development.
In 2016, Kontiki organised the first «Kontiki Sustainable Tourism Forum» in Tromsø, Norway. The aim was to find partners and politicians who were on the same page and focussed on quality rather than quantity. In order to maintain the high standards in the long term, a lively exchange between all partners is of great importance. This exchange takes place on study and business trips.
Iceland
At the end of 2017, Bruno Bisig, Managing Director of Kontiki Reisen, gave a keynote speech at the «Harvest» sustainability festival for sustainable tourism in Iceland. This was at the invitation of Ketill B. Magnússon, Director of CSR Iceland. The event was opened by the Icelandic Minister of Business and Tourism, Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir.
