National Geographic CSD partners with Hurtigruten in geotourism

National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations (CSD) and the Norwegian coastal liner Hurtigruten have signed a cooperation agreement to enhance Hurtigruten’s destinations along the Norwegian coast.

Geotourism is tourism that sustains or enhances a place’s geographical character. It’s tourism that sustains the destination’s distinctiveness—its nature, culture, history and the well-being of its residents.

When Hurtigruten and National Geographic Society Center for Sustainable destinations (CSD) now enter this cooperation it’s done to safeguard and develop Hurtigruten’s unique destinations along the Norwegian coast – known as some of best destinations in the world.

– Hurtigruten is almost unique in the world. With Hurtigruten you are really a part of Norway, part of a Norwegian tradition. The crew is Norwegian, the food and experience is Norwegian. Hurtigruten is uniquely identified with the country it operates in. That’s not true with conventional cruiseliners, says Jonathan Tourtellot, National Geographic CSD Director.

The cooperation is formalized and established in a Code of good practice with the intention to help Hurtigruten to become even better. Hurtigruten has served the passengers, the ports and the Norwegian coast since 1893 bringing freight and passengers back and forth between 34 daily ports of call. This year round service gives the coastal voyager a dimension beyond a travel product. In some ways Hurtigruten already fulfills the performance of National Geographic geotourism principles. The company wants to enhance this even more.

– National Geographic pinpoint what we understand as a unique character of Hurtigruten. In many ways Hurtigruten have a mission besides presenting the beautiful Norwegian coast to tourists. This mission is exercised in cooperation with our environment- our destinations as our local partners. Hurtigruten supports and depends on strong and sustainable destinations and want to improve our skills and performance on this field. By this we will enhance what makes Hurtigruten unique in the world, Hurtigruten CEO Olav Fjell says.

National Geographic CSD, with their knowledge of sustainable destinations and geotourism, is highly recognized in one of the world`s largest industries – tourism. For Hurigruten this cooperation is important. It`s internally seen as a confirmation of good practice and but also as a possibility to improve skills within a field more and more important for future tourism.

-This cooperation will strengthen and clarify Hurtigruten’s unique position as the original coastal voyager. The Norwegian fjords have already won several prizes as the world`s best travel destinations. This happens partly because Norway as a nation has the wisdom to manage our nature and our culture with sense and in a sustainable way. After almost 120 years in service it’s vital that Hurtigruten operate in accordance with sustainable principles related to both nature and our destinations along the coast, says Christian Bue Nordahl, Global Brand Manager in Hurtigruten ASA.

About geotourism

Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Geotourism incorporates the concept of sustainable tourism—that destinations should remain unspoiled for future generations—while allowing for ways to protect and develop a place’s distinctive character.

About National Geographic CSD

Center for Sustainable Destinations (CSD) is dedicated to protecting the world’s distinctive places through wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship. The core strategy for achieving this mission is geotourism. Working with many allied organizations, both global and local, CSD helps develop and disseminate information for adopting the geotourism approach—by destination communities, by tourism professionals, and by travelers themselves.

About Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten is the original coastal voyager. Since 1893 Hurtigruten has served the passengers, the ports and the Norwegian coast bringing freight and passengers back and forth between daily ports of call. This year round service gives the coastal voyager a dimension beyond a travel product – Hurtigruten is a part of its destination – the Norwegian coast.

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