Meet Ålesund's viral phenomenon!

This is Norway, and this is Yvonne – the fabulous 58-year-old from Ålesund eager to guide you to the top spots! With millions and millions of views on social media, she has become a tourist attraction all on her own, and people just can't seem to get enough of her charm!

You’ve likely seen Yvonne Haagensen on your TikTok or other social media feeds, laughing that infectious laugh, showing you the top things to experience in the Ålesund and Sunnmøre region, or another part of Norway!

Now, everyone’s obsessed with her fun and highly entertaining content, thanks to the viral "This is" trend, where you introduce fun and interesting things with, well, "this is"!

Instagram and TikTok:

@ThisisYvonne1

This is Yvonne

"People just love it! They want to be my friend, I've seen Yvonne for president comments and they've requested that I lead the Eurovision Song Contest. I'm even being stopped in the street. It's so fascinating, because I'm just being myself", exclaims Yvonne.

It all started when she became responsible for Thon Hotel Ålesund's social media at the age of 55.

"I had previous experience from a career in marketing, but I had no idea what was trendy amongst the youth of today".

With a gentle push and a bit of help from her children, nieces and nephews, she decided to put herself out there and post content on both Thon's channels and her own.

Her video ideas came from a mix of tips from her colleagues and inspiration from other creators and trends around the world.

Yvonne's Thon Hotel Ålesund video caught the interest of Visit Ålesund and Sunnmøre, who then collaborated on a video for the whole region, which has received about 3 million views and likes!

"Usually the second and third films are worse than the first, but the response from people has been overwhelming. I had to turn my notifications off at one point because my phone couldn't handle it".

This is how it's done

"Most of it is done in one take, except for at the Atlanterhavsparken aquarium, as the fish never swam past when I was ready. At one point, I ended up crawling on the floor, calling out for them", laughs Yvonne.

She even went on a trip to Thon Hotel Lofoten to make a video for them. Family and friends aren't surprised by the attention, as she's always been a vibrant and outgoing character.

"At first, I was a bit nervous about how people would react, and I didn’t want to be the first to read the comments. But it's been absolutely incredible, and I love it! People even come into the hotel just to take selfies with me."

She's even planning to get a life-size cutout of herself for when she's not at work, so people can still take a photo with "her".

This is what Yvonne really likes

Yvonne loves Ålesund and the Sunnmøre region just as much in real life as she does in the videos. She has given us her top tips for what you should see and do, and who knows, maybe you'll even meet her yourself?

1. This is… nature activities

"Strandafjellet is truly magical for the whole family, and the same goes for Fjellsætra and Overøye. These three ski resorts are absolutely fantastic. And if you're not the best skier, like me, they’re also amazing hiking spots," explains Yvonne.

She recommends hiking there once the snow has melted around Easter and all the way through to September. There is no shortage of hiking opportunities for all levels right from Ålesund. Whether you feel like conquering mountaintops 1,000 metres above sea level, or taking a walk along the coast or through the woods.

"Just get outside. Spending time in nature means a lot to me, and I love packing a backpack with some tasty bread or a boiled egg, then finding a rock where I can relax and admire the sea view."

Get outside!

Immerse yourself in nature in Ålesund and Sunnmøre.

2. This is… a lively cultural scene

The cultural scene in Ålesund is blooming, and more and more venues have popped up in recent years.

"There are stages in town for everything from theatre to intimate concerts, shows and huge international artists!", exclaims Yvonne.

Find fun events at Terminalen, Fabrikken Kulturscene, Parken Kulturhus and Løvenvold Theatre.

3. This is… a museum

"We have a museum for everything!", informs Yvonne.

She recommends setting aside some time to learn more about the history of Ålesund and thanks to the sheer amount of museums, there should be something for everyone. How about learning more about the famous Art Nouveau architecture at the Art Nouveau Centre or on a guided walk through the city?

If architecture isn't your thing, then there's also the Art Museum KUBE, the Fisheries Museum, and the open-air Sunnmøre Museum.

Go back in time!

Learn more about the town throughout history.

4. This is… world-class restaurants

Ålesund has an abundance of great restaurants that offer everything from breakfast to lunch and dinner. You won't struggle to satisfy your appetite here.

Yvonne loves going out for a meal with friends, family or her husband.

"Whatever you fancy, you can find it in Ålesund. We have a wide range of cuisines available. Everyone is welcome and can find a great place to eat, no matter your preferences or food allergies," explains Yvonne.

Feeling hungry?

Indulge in all the amazing food that Ålesund has to offer.

5. And of course, this is… where you should stay!

"Naturally, you have to stay at Thon Hotel, and if you decide to stay somewhere else, you simply must come and try our breakfast, because we have Norway's best hotel breakfast," exclaims Yvonne happily.

The hotel is located right by the waterfront, with a wonderful view of Ålesund Harbour. Find a cosy spot and watch the ships and boats pass by.

The hotel staff can also help you find plenty of fun excursions and activities.

"What don't we have? How about going on a kayak, canoe, or SUP trip on the beautiful Brosundet canal with Uteguiden? Or how about coasteering at Tuneset? It's so much fun! And not to mention all the great shopping opportunities just outside our door!" says Yvonne.