MEDIA INFORMATION
We look forward to seeing you in Norway
Below please find links to important event information, as well as helpful links from our hosts in Norway.
Photos will be available for media use post-event.
If there is anything else we can provide, including interview requests with event attendees or event hosts post-event, please do not hesitate to contact Jessica Flores
The Event:
In partnership with Innovation Norway and the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) Sustainability is Responsibility (SIR) Event, the Tourism Cares with Norway Meaningful Travel Summit immerses participants in ways to progress their sustainability journeys - through multi-sector collaborations showcasing climate action strategies, learnings from the Sami people, and practical tools for sustainable destination management.
Through the lens of Norway’s “Nordic” method, the Summit examines how more progress can be made on sustainable product development, investments in stakeholder engagement, and adaptation in a changing environment.
Economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainable tourism development must include the interests of all stakeholders including Indigenous people, local communities, visitors, industry, and government, for all to prosper. Each one of us working in every corner of the world has a critical role to play, and the Norway Meaningful Travel Summit takes the theoretical to the practical.
Key Program Goals:
Provide best practices for travel companies and destination managers in the role they play in balancing environmental protection/conservation with the needs of the community
Learn about the collaborative process of creating Indigenous tourism experiences in Norway and connect tour operators with the Sami people, especially those not currently including Indigenous products.
Build on the work started at USTOA’s SIR Conference in 2022 (see below) with concrete examples of successes and failures through case studies for all destinations and tour operators.
Attendee Bios (use PW: Norway2023)
Tourism Cares Spokespeople:
Greg Takehara, CEO
Paula Vlamings, Chief Impact Officer
Malia Asfour, Chair and Director, Jordan Tourism Board North America
Norway Spokespeople:
David DiGregorio, Manager of Travel Trade + Special Projects, Visit Norway
USTOA Spokespeople:
Terry Dale, President, USTOA
Learn more about Tromsø
Learn more about Svalbard
Northern Norway
Other Helpful Resources:
2022 Tourism Cares Impact Summary
Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Summit History
Tourism Cares Turns 20 in 2023
Sami People:
Experience the Sami culture (visitnorway.com)
The rebirth of the joik | Sami culture | Music and traditions (visitnorway.com)
Sustainable Norway:
Outdoor activities in Norway | The great outdoors (visitnorway.com)
Sustainable destination I National labelling scheme (visitnorway.com)
11 cool ways to explore Norway for eco-concious travellers (visitnorway.com)
Travel better | Choose more sustainable adventures in Norway (visitnorway.com)
Friluftsliv: The Norwegian love for the outdoors (visitnorway.com)
The laws of nature | The Norwegian “naturvettregler” (visitnorway.com)
About USTOA:
USTOA’s Sustainability is Responsibility (SIR) Event
In 2022, the United States Tour Operators Association’s (USTOA) Sustainability is Responsibility event, held in Bodø, set the important groundwork for WHY travel leaders must create livable and thriving communities in order to deliver high-quality, authentic experiences for visitors - and the foundation to do that within their organizations. The upcoming Tourism Cares with Norway Meaningful Travel Summit builds upon that, diving into the HOW- through mutual collaborations - showcasing climate action best practices, learnings from indigenous people, and detailing inspirational case studies for sustainable destination management.