From Consumption to Community: nature-based tourism and local businesses
This is a Good Practice article that Green Key did with Hafsrød in April 2024. Hafsrød was first granted the Green Key certificate in 2021, and have since then worked towards our goal of being a sustainable tourist establishment. The Green Key certificate is a standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. More than 5,000 establishments in 60+ countries have been Green Key certified, making it one of the largest international tourism eco-certificates for accommodation. Establishments with the Green Key certificate can be recognised by this logo:
Just a few hours from the busy city life, in Norway, there is a place where you can get deep into the forest and get down to earth. Ingeborg and Andreas welcome their guests to Hafsrød, a place where people and nature have lived alongside for centuries. Staying in the forest cabins and enjoying tailored nature-based experiences, guests can unwind and rediscover their connection with nature.
In this new Good Practice article, Green Key asked Ingeborg and Andreas, hosts of Hafsrød, how they are promoting nature-based tourism while supporting local businesses and re-educating guests to be in nature.
Photographer: Mari Sperre Andreassen
Are guests ready for nature-based tourism?
I&A: We noticed that many of our guests come from places where they do not have access to nature as easily as we can. Therefore, they most of the times lack the proper equipment to enjoy the natural activities Hafsrød offers. As we wanted to ensure the best experience to our guests, we started investigating how we could ensure a full experience to our guests, while keeping the carbon footprint as low as possible. During this process, we started thinking about another important element of the guests’ experience: the local stakeholders. We really wanted to promote the local activities and products, give something more to the area we inhabit. As a result, we launched our Nature kits.
What are “Nature kits” and how did you develop them?
I&A: We started off with a product called; The Forest Box, where the guest collects a box filled with local products for their breakfast and lunch, and a ready-made dinner, prepared by an excellent restaurant here in Halden, called Curtisen. This makes it possible for guest to get a complete meal without having to plan too much, while tasting local food and support the local economy. Later on, we thought to apply the same concept to the equipment needed to enjoy the local activities. This is how we created our “Nature kits” including fishing kit, hiking kit, picking kit (foraging) and stargazing kit. Here at Hafsrød, guests get a taste of local products, and are given all the tools to experience nature at its best. The kits also include tips and tricks for the specific activity promoted. This is to ensure that guests try different things in a more confident and responsible way, as many of them are not costumed with nature-based activities. We are trying to ensure them a good experience, while protecting our natural heritage.
What results did you achieve?
I&A: Our “Forest Box” has been welcomed with very good feedback. Our guests like that they do not need to plan too much what to bring, or buy
expensive products for a one-time activity. We have now launched the complete nature kits, and we expect that this will encourage people to re-
connect with nature and try something new in an easy, low-cost, and low-impact way.
What next?
I&A: We want to continue supporting local business and address other areas of the tourist experience. We are thinking of expanding our offer to bikes or similar products that are of interest for our guests who want to experience nature responsibly and learn how to be more sustainable.
Top tips from Hafsrød
- exchange as much as possible with your guests – see what their needs
are and how they interact with the experience you are offering as a
host. - unlock sustainability for your guests – as a host you know your
territory and have the knowledge an possibility to limit the impact of
your guests’ stay. - Engage – collaboration with local stakeholders can enhance the value
of the product you offer, while contributing to the positive impact of
tourist activities - Have fun, be creative!
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