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  • Siw Sandvik

    Leader PR and Communication


    0047 94793075
  • Rigmor Myhre

    Communication Manager B2C


    0047 95855320

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    We never wanted to build a traditional hotel. We wanted to create a place where culture, nature and people come together. A foundation for a good life, he explains.
    Mats Alfsen
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    Northern Norway Earns Its First Michelin Star

    Northern Norway has received its first-ever Michelin star, marking a milestone for the region's growing reputation as a destination for Arctic gastronomy[20 (1).png] At the MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries ceremony in Copenhagen on Monday, Kvitnes Gård in Vesterålen was awarded one Michelin star. The recognition marks a historic first for Northern Norway and highlights a broader shift taking place across the Arctic region, where chefs, producers and local communities are redefining what fine dining looks like in the far north.  – We would like to warmly congratulate Halvar Ellingsen and

    The Story Behind Lofoten: How Cod Shaped the Communities of One of the World’s Most Iconic Destinations

    When people think of the Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway, they often envision dramatic mountains, traditional fishermen’s cabins and Arctic landscapes. Yet behind these iconic scenes lies another story, one of cod, fishing traditions and the communities that shaped Lofoten itself.[Newsroom image template.png] For centuries, life in Lofoten revolved around one annual event: the arrival of skrei, the migratory Arctic cod that travels from the Barents Sea to the waters around the islands every winter to spawn. Fishermen travelled from all along the coast of Norway to participate in the

    Exploring the Heart of Helgeland: Island Hopping and Authentic Local Experiences

    There is a saying that a destination is defined by the people who inhabit it. This is especially true for Helgeland, a region where the warmth and friendliness of its residents complement the slow living and raw nature, creating a unique atmosphere. Helgeland isn't just a place to see; it's a feeling, a state of mind that words like "magical" and "breathtaking" fail to fully capture.[Træna, Coast of Helgeland] As echoed in the famous Norwegian folk song "Vi skal ikkje sova bort sumarnatta," which roughly translates to "we shall not sleep away the summer night," the essence of island

    Northern Norway Records Strong Tourism Growth in 2025 as Winter Demand Strengthens

    Northern Norway and Svalbard saw continued tourism growth in 2025, driven by rising international travel and a particularly strong winter season.[3.png] New accommodation figures show that commercial overnight stays across the region increased by 6 percent compared to 2024, confirming Northern Norway’s growing position as one of Europe’s leading Arctic destinations. Foreign guest nights rose by 16 percent, underlining the strength of the international rebound. The strongest momentum came from key markets including the United Kingdom and Italy, which recorded the largest percentage

    Arctic Winter Roads: Northern Norway Shares Key Driving Advice for Visitors

    For many European travellers, winter in Northern Norway feels like stepping into a dream: snow-covered mountains, icy fjords, and the magic of the Northern Lights. But with the beauty of the Arctic season also comes a reality that many visitors may not be used to: winter roads in the far North require preparation, caution and local awareness.[2.png] In Arctic Norway, weather can change quickly. Roads may look calm one moment and become icy, snowy or low-visibility the next. For travellers without experience of Nordic winter driving, it is easy to underestimate how different these

    Northern Norway Showcases Arctic Food and Travel Experiences at Grüne Woche 2026

    Northern Norway will be prominently represented at Internationale Grüne Woche 2026, one of the world’s leading consumer fairs for food, agriculture and tourism, taking place in Berlin from 16–25 January.[1.png] Invited by the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food, a delegation of 29 food and tourism businesses from Northern Norway will come together to present the region as an emerging Arctic culinary and travel destination. The delegation represents the northern counties of Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, as well as Svalbard. Throughout the ten-day fair, visitors will be invited

    Noctourism: Why Northern Norway Is Becoming the World’s Ultimate After-Dark Destination

    When the sun slips below the horizon in Northern Norway, the landscape transforms into one of the darkest and most intriguing playgrounds for travellers seeking wonder after dusk. This growing travel trend even has a name: noctourism.[5.png] What is noctourism?Noctourism (or night tourism) is travel driven by what can only be experienced after dark. It is the search for darkness, star-filled skies, moonlit landscapes and natural phenomena that vanish when daylight takes over. The trend is closely connected to the rise of global astrotourism, where travellers actively seek destinations

    New informational film aims to improve traffic safety for winter tourists

    The Northern Norway Tourist Board is launching a new animated film designed to help ensure safer travel on Norwegian winter roads. Developed in collaboration with Trygg Trafikk and car rental companies, the film aims to provide international visitors with essential information about driving in challenging winter conditions.[Drive Safely.png] This is a concrete and targeted initiative to reduce the number of traffic accidents involving foreign tourists, while also improving safety for all road users.– Many of our visitors have never experienced winter driving before. That’s why we must

    Northern Norway Sets New Tourism Record

    Northern Norway has once again broken visitor records, marking a new milestone for Arctic tourism. Between June and August 2025, the region recorded 2.37 million overnight stays, up 3.1 percent  from last summer and 12.5 percent higher than 2023, according to new figures from Statistics Norway (SSB).[Summer in Å, Lofoten, .png] Strong international demandThe growth was driven by a surge in international visitors, who accounted for 1.29 million overnight stays, up 13.4 percent from last year, the highest number ever recorded for Northern Norway. Demand was particularly strong from

    New direct flight from Frankfurt to Alta brings the Arctic closer for European winter travellers

    Starting this winter, travellers from central Europe will have a new, convenient way to explore the Arctic. From December 2025 to April 2026, Discover Airlines (part of the Lufthansa Group) will offer a direct route from Frankfurt to Alta, operating twice a week. This new connection brings visitors to the heart of Norway's Arctic in just 3.5 hours, marking the first direct flight from Germany to Finnmark.[AltaKommune .jpg] Situated above the Arctic Circle, Alta is one of the northernmost communities in the world and a gateway to some of the most iconic Arctic experiences. From northern

    Stories from the Far North

    Travelling through Finnmark is less about ticking sights than following a thread of history and landscape across Norway’s far north-east. The road curves past remote fishing villages, seabird cliffs and war memorials, each place carrying stories of endurance and change. Yet what lingers most is not the scale of the Arctic, but the welcome of its people: straightforward, generous, and ready to fold visitors into the routines of daily life. This guide spans five days, beginning in Kirkenes before sailing west with Hurtigruten to Vardø. From there, the road follows the Varanger coast

    Finnair strengthens Arctic connectivity with new direct routes to Northern Norway

    Finnair and the Northern Norway Tourist Board gathered in Helsinki on September 30 to highlight the airline’s growing network of direct connections from Helsinki to Arctic Norway. The new and expanded routes will improve year-round access to the region from key international markets in Europe and Asia.[Helsinki event.png] Finnair is strengthening its role as a key carrier to Arctic destinations with a strong commitment to Northern Norway. The airline has long operated a year-round connection between Helsinki and Tromsø. In addition, direct summer flights from Helsinki to Bodø were

    Volunteer Tourism in Træna: A New Chapter in Sustainable Travel

    Off the Helgeland coast, the island community of Træna is testing a new approach to sustainable travel: volunteer tourism. Visitors from around the world are invited to contribute to the place they visit—while enjoying experiences close to nature, culture, and local life.[Dugnadsturisme Photo Elan Blumberg.jpg] From September 4–8, the international volunteer tourism week took place. Over 100 people applied, and 12 participants from the USA, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, and Norway – aged 25–60 – were selected. Together with local enthusiasts, they worked on nature

    A New Arctic Landmark Breaks Ground in Northern Norway

    On the island of Andøya in Vesterålen, just north of the Arctic Circle, construction has officially begun on one of the region’s most anticipated new visitor attractions. The Whale, located in the coastal town of Andenes, is set to open to the public on 3 June 2027, offering year-round insight into whales, ocean science, art, and Arctic nature.[the_whale_1.jpg] Internationally recognised as one of the best places in the world to see whales in the wild, Andenes provides a natural setting for an attraction designed to connect visitors with the marine world. The Whale will combine

    Race the Arctic: Top Running Adventures in Northern Norway

    Summer in Northern Norway offers a one-of-a-kind setting for runners. Whether you’re racing under the midnight sun in the middle of the night, along dramatic coastlines or beneath mountain peaks, these events combine nature with friendly, local atmospheres. From city streets to rugged trails, runners of all levels can find their perfect challenge.[3.jpg]   With southern Europe experiencing increasingly frequent summer heatwaves, more travellers are looking north for their summer adventures. According to data from Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and the European Travel Commission (ETC),

    All Routes Lead North: Bodø’s Rising Role in Summer Travel

    With new international routes now operating from Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Munich, Bodø is steadily cementing its role as the gateway to some of northern Norway’s most stunning summer destinations. The city's spotlight as the European Capital of Culture in 2024 contributed to a remarkable 59% increase in international tourism last year, and travellers are quickly discovering that Bodø offers far more than just urban culture and coastal views.Now more accessible than ever for European visitors, it’s the ideal launching point for exploring the wild beauty of Helgeland, Vesterålen, and

    Remarkable International Impact as European Capital of Culture

    [Bodø2024/Dan Mariner.png] Bodø and the Nordland region have made history as the first area north of the Arctic Circle to be designated a European Capital of Culture in 2024. A new analysis reveals that the Bodø2024 initiative has generated over 4,500 international media features, with an estimated advertising value of NOK 599 million. This confirms the project’s substantial global visibility and how the designation has strengthened the region’s position as both a travel destination and cultural hub.  – The extensive international media coverage shows that we have succeeded in

    Stone Stacking Threatens Arctic Norway’s Fragile Landscapes

    [stone cairns.png] Crossing the Arctic Circle or standing at the windswept cliffs of North Cape, visitors to Northern Norway often seek a way to mark the moment. Increasingly, they’re turning to stone stacking near iconic landmarks , a trend that’s quietly damaging the very wilderness they came to admire. What may seem like a harmless or even artistic gesture, often inspired by social media challenges like #stonestacking and #stonebalancing, is causing real ecological problems. While the trend may look Zen in your Instagram reel, these stone piles are creating unintended consequences

    Midnight Sun and Big Dreams: The Making of Trevarefabrikken in Henningsvær

    A cool breeze moves through Henningsvær this morning. The sun breaks gently through the clouds as I stand outside a large, mustard-yellow building in the centre of town. A dog darts past me, nose to the ground, before its owner, Mats Alfsen, appears, a wool hat pulled down over his ears and his cheeks pink from the cold. We exchange greetings and step into the warmth of Trevarefabrikken. Inside, the smell of fresh coffee and newly baked bread greets me. Large windows open the room to the vast sea outside. Guests gather around breakfast tables, some preparing for a hike, others simply

    Lofoten Ranks Among the Top Food Destinations for 2025

    The Northern Norway Tourism Board takes great pride in seeing Lofoten globally recognised as one of The Best Places to Eat in 2025 by Condé Nast. This prestigious mention highlights the region’s world-class culinary scene where sustainable, locally sourced ingredients meet wild landscapes, together defining a one of a kind dining experience. Among the standout restaurants featured in Condé Nast’s list is Landhandleriet Café in Nusfjord, Børsen Spiseri in Svolvær, and Villa Lofoten in Kvalnes to name a few, which are part of putting Lofoten on the global culinary map. Adding to this

    A Landmark Investment: An Ambitious Hotel to Redefine Arctic Hospitality on the Coast of Helgeland

    [Ytri, Norway’s outermost luxury boutique hotel] Norway’s outermost luxury boutique hotel, Ytri, will open in spring 2026 on Træna. One of the most remote island communities along the Helgeland coast. What began as a vision for a unique hotel has evolved into a landmark project that will be part of transforming Træna’s tourism, infrastructure, and development. Ytri comes from an Old Norse word that means "outermost," which fits because it's located at the edge of the horizon, on the Arctic Circle. The ambitious project was first initiated in 2016 through a community-lead development

    Showcasing Norwegian Food Culture in Germany

    The regions of Northern Norway and Vestland are representing Norway at the international food and tourism fair Grüne Woche (IGW) in Berlin 17. -26. January 2025. From Northern Norway, we are bringing a wide range of food, drink, and tourism businesses from all three counties and Svalbard - a total of 34 companies, 4 chefs, and 8 students. Around 30,000 samples will be made and sold in Berlin. It is with great pride that a selection of the best from the fjord, land, and plains in the north will soon be introduced to the German market. The schools represented are Hadsel Upper Secondary

    Kvitnes Gård Honoured with Multiple Awards, Elevating Vesterålen’s Culinary Scene

    [Kvitnes Gård] Kvitnes Gård, a renowned farm-to-table restaurant in Vesterålen, has been recognised with several prestigious awards in 2024, confirming its place as one of Nordic's top food destinations. These include Matprisen's “Kitchen of the Year”, Norges Vel Founder Award for “Circular Food Entrepreneur”, as well as a spot among the top three most sustainable restaurants in Norway by the international 360 Eat Guide. Dedicated to sustainability and exceptional cuisine, Kvitnes Gård prides itself in offering world-class dishes that showcase the connection between local harvesting

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