What is sustainable tourism?

Sustainable tourism is essential if we are to preserve the “raw materials” of travel experiences based on nature, culture, and climate. It is a concept through which efforts are made to ensure low impact on the environment and local culture, whilst aiming for growth and positive outcomes for local communities, destination companies, and visitors. Visit Lillehammer is working towards a sustainable destination accreditation in line with the standard set by Innovation Norway. Norway is the first country in the world to introduce a national scheme for sustainable destinations.

Improved sustainability with all-year-round experiences

The Lillehammer & Gudbrandsdalen region is Norway’s largest, most spectacular winter resort, with five large alpine centres and excellent cross-country skiing. It plays host to some of the country's largest winter sports and cultural events, such as world cup races, the Birken races, and the Peer Gynt Festival. Furthermore, it is an attractive summer destination with family parks and a wide range of cultural attractions, including Maihaugen, Lillehammer Art Museum, and Skibladner.

The region attracts visitors all year round, and this supports the local economy by generating stable employment opportunities and increased profitability for local businesses. There is, however, potential for further development in terms of spring and autumn to ensure that visitor numbers are more evenly distributed throughout the year.

Improved sustainability through culture, history, and traditions 

Most of the region’s attractions form part our cultural heritage and local history; the Winter Olympics, the Birkebeiners, Peer Gynt, the Nobel Laureates Sigrid Undset and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Maihaugen, the unique traditions of Gudbrandsdalen, the Pilgrims' Trail, Norwegian folk tales and trolls at Hunderfossen Family Park, and the outdoor and skiing traditions kept alive by our many mountain lodges – to mention but a few.

We would like the experiences on offer to be authentic, something that in turn will help create value and a sense of pride locally. The most viable destinations in the long term will be the local communities that are also considered attractive places to live and work. This is why we have to ensure sustainability together – destination companies, municipalities, and the tourism industry.