The award was presented by Industry Minister Monica Mæland during the North in the South conference in Oslo today.
In the past, the tourism industry in Northern Norway has been characterized by high and low seasons. When winter darkness descended over northern Norway, it meant a quiet season for the tourism industry. But that was before.
Now we see that polar nights and northern lights are also drawing more and more people to the northern part of Norway.
According to Reiseliv i Nord, the following justification is given for the price:
This year’s winner of the North Norwegian Marketing Award has great ambitions for his tourism business and for Northern Norwegian tourism. Thon Hotel Lofoten is located in the heart of one of the region’s most important travel destinations. Together with the owners of the company, he has managed to create a beacon in northern Norwegian tourism in just a few years.
– The winner knows that success is created through good planning, lots of commitment and being able to offer exciting experiences. Everything with the guest at the centre. Together with the local community and other tourism companies, the winner has facilitated experiences, food and transport in new and exciting ways and high standards of quality.
Thon Hotel Lofoten has shown creativity, professionalism and the ability to build a corporate culture. This has produced a natural result – satisfied guests.
Ever since the start, Erik Taraldsen and Thon Hotel Lofoten have collaborated with local adventure companies and food producers. The result is growth in the local tourism market, and growth in the overall value creation at the destination.
Fremtidens reiseliv må være bærekraftig. Det er derfor ikke tilfeldig at vinneren har valgt å bruke havet til energiforsyning, og at lokale matprodusenter leverer råvarer til restauranten. Med Lofoten som arena og tema har vår vinner brukt sitt talent og sitt engasjement til å markedsføre Nord-Norge.
Erik Taraldsen’s efforts have helped to strengthen Lofoten’s profile far beyond Norway’s borders! The Nordnorsk Marketing Award for 2017 goes well-deservedly to director Erik Taraldsen and Thon Lofoten Hotell.
In addition, Thon Hotel Lofoten received the awards:
Food Pleasure Company of the Year in 2016 and Northern Norway’s best hotel in 2016 by Nettavisen Reisetips.
Criteria for the Marketing Award:
The award must go to a person, company or organization that has:
- meant a lot for the marketing of Northern Norway
- Been a strong contributor to marketing Northern Norway at home and abroad from a tourism perspective
- Had a positive influence and impact on the development of the region
- Be a positive ambassador for Northern Norway
The prize is awarded by the Regional Association NHO Reiseliv Northern Norway. Jury is the board of the Regional Association NHO Reiseliv Northern Norway.
