Suldal as a "Sustainable Destination"

In March 2013, Innovation Norway launched a national labeling scheme called "Sustainable Destination," which is approved by the international organization Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). This labeling scheme serves as a tool for destinations that aim to systematically address sustainability in their tourism practices by assessing various criteria focusing on environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

The standard covers five areas: municipal anchoring, tourism industry anchoring, preservation of nature, culture and environment, enhancement of social values, and economic viability. The goal is to ensure long-term work towards a more sustainable tourism industry that meets the needs of present-day residents without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The process of obtaining the label is locally or regionally owned by a destination or destination management company, and Suldal municipality received the label in 2020. Being designated as a sustainable destination does not mean that the place is entirely sustainable, but rather that it prioritizes the goal of increased sustainability and can demonstrate improvements over time.

10 Principles for a More Sustainable Tourism

The standard for sustainable destinations is built upon ten principles for sustainable tourism, which encompass various criteria and indicators to be met. The standard was developed through a process involving input from destinations, Innovation Norway's expert council for the labeling scheme, and the international accreditation body, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Several of the United Nations' sustainable development goals are also incorporated into the standard:

1. Cultural richness
2. Physical and visual integrity of the landscape
3. Biodiversity
4. Clean environment and resource efficiency
5. Local quality of life and social values
6. Local control and engagement
7. Job quality for tourism employees
8. Guest satisfaction, safety, and quality of experience
9. Economically viable and competitive tourism destinations through local value creation
10. Economically viable and competitive tourism businesses

You can read more about the standard here.

How does this designation make Suldal a more sustainable destination?

To receive the label, Suldal, like other destinations, has gone through an extensive two-year process to document a total of 104 indicators. Through this work, the destination has focused on, specified, and initiated new processes that facilitate sustainable development. Additionally, the destination gains access to a database and tools that can be utilized in their sustainability efforts. Every year, the destination must submit an annual report on their sustainability work. Re-certification takes place every three years, and as part of this process, concrete results and improvements in sustainability efforts must be demonstrated by the destination.

Which destinations have been labeled?

You can find more information about the various destinations and locations that have been labeled as sustainable destinations on Visit Norway's website.

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