Dalarna has a rich and varied offering of both nature and cultural experiences with many entrepreneurs in the tourism sector. The focus on sustainability can be felt at every level and is broadly linked to the cultural heritage and the connection with nature that can be found there.
In March 2021, it was announced that Sweden is the world's most sustainable tourist destination. The global company Euromonitor International compared 99 countries and their sustainability. According to the survey, Sweden ended up at the top of the world ranking. Dalarna, a province in the heart of Sweden, follows the criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The focus on sustainability is a key factor at the municipal and regional level and for local businesses.
"Sustainability work is part of our business idea, it provides a structured approach that gives customers, employees and the company a profile that everyone can understand the benefits of"
Sustainability is central
Sustainable tourism involves more than just the current and future environmental impact. Social and economic factors must also be taken into account. The Swedish Office for Economic and Regional Growth, Dalarna Region and Visit Dalarna work together to provide a more sustainable tourist destination. The overall goal is to develop the tourism industry in Dalarna by increasing competence in all aspects of sustainability. The participants in the project receive concrete advice to improve their company in terms of sustainability factors.
An example is Grand Hotel Elektra in Ludvika, which has been awarded the coveted Nordic Swan Ecolabel. To achieve this, the hotel met all the requirements to reduce its impact on the environment, but that's not all. The hotel also focuses on hiring locally, using local products and getting involved with the local community.
"After the analysis, it became clear to us that sustainability encompasses all parts of the company, not just the Swan Ecolabel. It concerns everything we do. Employees, HR, business concept, finance, investments, social media, sales, everything! thinking about goals and plans from a new perspective "
Cultural heritage
Other examples are the World Heritage Sites of Falun Mine and Carl Larsson-gården in Sundborn. Their mission is to preserve the cultural heritage for posterity and to welcome visitors to authentic environments. They have a strong local involvement in a variety of issues, both in the local village communities and at the destination level. They are part of strong regional networks, such as the Culture Route that takes visitors on a cultural journey through Dalarna. Both also make use of local guides and suppliers as much as possible.
Euromonitor International's survey found that 66 percent of the world's consumers want to act more sustainably when it comes to travel. That makes Dalarna an excellent option and the region's blue mountains and lush forests are just around the corner.
Source: Visit Dalarna AB
