Sustainable Destination

A unique national labelling scheme

“A good place to live is a good place to visit.”

Visit one or more of the 50+ destinations in Norway that have the Sustainable Destination label.

The label does not mean that the destinations are sustainable in every way, but it indicates that they are working systematically to develop sustainable tourism, and are required to document substantial improvement every 3 years.

Did you know that the label requires not only environmental improvements, but also improvements in terms of the impact on the local community and the preservation of cultural heritage?

“We live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. We have a great responsibility to keep it that way.”

Line Renate Samuelsen

CEO of Destination Lofoten

Is your travel worthy of your values? When you visit a destination that is a part of the national labelling scheme Sustainable Destination, you are supporting a place that is committed to sustainable tourism development.

There are many positive sides to tourism, but the industry is also facing challenges. If you’re eager to experience a unique destination that can give you memories for life, visit places in Norway that are labelled by the Sustainable Destination scheme. These destinations have committed to work systematically towards developing more sustainable tourism, while preserving local communities and cultural heritage, and reducing the environmental impact of tourism.

Please keep in mind, though, that although the destinations are not yet completely sustainable, they have embarked on a process of continuous improvement.

From nature to culture

If you are seeking unforgettable cultural experiences, you can travel to cosy small towns and villages with rich local traditions, such as Setesdal, Arendal, and Røros.

Or take in some of Norway’s most breathtaking landscapes, by the Lysefjord, the Sognefjord or in the Geirangerfjord area. The deep blue fjord is surrounded by majestic, snow-covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls, and lush vegetation, and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for good reason. And don't miss the wild islands of Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja, or urban havens like Bergen, Kristiansand and Tromsø, to name a few.

With their unique stories and local culinary specialities, these destinations will provide you with a lovely combination of culture, activities, and tasty dining.

See all labelled destinations

10 principles for the label Sustainable Destination

These are the 10 main principles of the national labelling scheme Sustainable Destination.

Conservation of Nature, Culture, and Environment

Cultural identity: Respect, further develop, and highlight the local community's historical cultural heritage, authentic culture, traditions, and distinctiveness.
Biodiversity: Support the conservation of natural areas, wildlife, and habitats, and minimise their destruction.
Climate emissions and climate adaptation: Minimise the climate emissions of tourism and tourists, and adapt tourism to a changing climate.
Clean environment and resource efficiency: Minimise pollution of air, water, and land (including noise) by tourism businesses and tourists, and reduce waste and consumption of scarce and non-renewable resources.

Strengthening of Social Values

Quality of life and social Values: Preserve and enhance the quality of life in the community, including social structures, access to resources, facilities, and common goods for all, while avoiding any form of social degradation and exploitation.
Local control and engagement: Engage and empower local communities and local stakeholders regarding planning, decision-making, management, and development of local tourism.
Job quality for tourism employees: Enhance the quality of tourism jobs (direct and indirect), including wage levels and working conditions without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, disabilities, or other factors.
Guest satisfaction, safety, and quality of experiences: Ensure safe, satisfying, and enriching experiences for all tourists regardless of gender, race, disabilities, or other factors.

Economic Viability

Economically viable and competitive tourism destinations through local value creation: Ensure the viability and competitiveness of tourism destinations in the long term, through maximising tourism's value creation in the community, including the value visitors spend locally.
Economically viable and competitive tourism businesses: Ensure the viability and competitiveness of tourism businesses in a long-term perspective.

So, what's in it for you, as a visitor?

You can travel to a place where they make a big effort to minimise tourism's impact on nature, wildlife, and the environment.

A destination in balance...

You'll visit destinations that are committed to making local people happy.

...and giving the locals the opportunity to learn, thrive and work, and start up new businesses based on more sustainable principles.

How Lofoten's Mymint became one of Norway's leading chefs

...where you can taste the surroundings.

Enjoy local specialities and world-class seafood.

...and enjoy nature without harming it.

Choose electric or low emission transport whenever you can.

Add some extraordinary culture.

And make some lasting memories.

Discover your next destination

Check out Norway’s certified destinations.

These destinations are also labelled:

Stranda in Sunnmøre
Sauda in Ryfylke
The National Park Kingdom including Dovre, Dovrefjell, Jotunheimen, Rondane, Breheimen, and Reinheimen
Åfjord with Stokkøya in Trøndelag
The Elverum region, including Våler and Elverum in Eastern Norway
Kautokeino in Finnmark

… and more are in the pipeline

Becoming a certified destination takes years of effort, with the whole local community working together. These destinations are set to be certified in the near future.

Travel better

How you travel matters. A lot.

Let the eco-labels guide you

Green travel logo

Every time you see this Green Travel symbol on our website, you know that the associated products and offers are a part of an official environmental labelling scheme. The Green Travel symbol is a common navigation to all qualified environmental schemes used by tourism enterprises in Norway. The symbol helps you find eco-certified alternatives.

The certifications below fall under Green Travel. These certifications indicate that providers follow strict rules relating to the production and management of waste, energy, transport, use of chemicals, and rules for subcontractors. These measures go beyond what the Norwegian law requires.

The following certifications fall under Green Travel

Ecotourism Norway

This national certification is awarded to businesses and operators that hold a high international level in ecotourism. Over 100 strict criteria on environmental performance, host-role, local community integration, and purchasing must be met and often improved. The certificate is renewed every three years.

The ecolabel Nordic Swan

More than 5000 products in Norway are certified with Nordic Swan, which indicates that they satisfy strict demands within energy efficiency, materials, and chemicals, all the way from raw materials to end product and waste management.

Eco-Lighthouse

Eco-Lighthouse enterprises work towards satisfying requirements and implementing environmental measures on a systematic and ongoing basis in order to create more environmentally friendly operations and safer work environments. Enterprises are certified subject to independent assessment and must undergo a recertification process every three years.

Green Key

Global ecolabel, recognized by GSTC, for hotels, small accommodations, campsites, and attractions. Certified businesses must meet strict criteria for waste, energy, water, procurement, green areas, CSR, and staff involvement. High standards are maintained through annual certificate renewal, rigorous application process, documentation, and frequent audits.

ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is given to enterprises that have a high-quality environmental managing system for organizational performance.

Blue Flag

Global, prestigious award based on a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access related criteria to be met and maintained, aimed at beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators. More than 4100 sites in 46 countries are awarded with Blue Flag.