Nordic Coastal Tourism: Sustainability, Trends, Practices, and Opportunities

This book explores sustainable tourism development and examines the development strategies of different coastal regions in the Nordic region.

In recent decades, tourism research has been topical among researchers in the Nordic region and in international tourism literature. Especially important in this is research on coastal tourism, which is both a linear and area-based activity. An increased interest in coastal tourism has been determined by the fact that around 40 percent of the world’s population lives on the coast or within the coastal zone, and these communities are dependent on coastal tourism besides their other professions, such as fisheries, agriculture, and commercial port activities.

Nordic coasts combine a rich maritime heritage and tradition with an unrivalled diversity of landscapes and natural refuges. Its oceans and seas are known for their biological richness and great beauty. Coastal and maritime tourism constitutes one of the Nordic countries’ most important touristic thematic sub-sectors. With further perspectives for growth in the coming years, coastal and maritime tourism’s full potential is yet to be unveiled. Guaranteeing the conditions for sustainable coastal and maritime tourism development may significantly contribute to Nordic’s economic growth and employment. It can also support the sustainable development of the more remote coastal regions, bringing the Nordics closer together and endowing coastal communities with sustainable solutions for the future.

Christian Dragin-Jensen is an Associate Professor and Senior Research Specialist. Research interests lie in place branding, event management, tourism development, and locals in tourism. Christian has almost a decade of experience from the hospitality sector, having worked across the globe in both operational and managerial positions for renowned hotel brands such as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Sir Rocco Forte Hotels. Christian also has experience as a conference manager (and continues to plan, develop, and host them) and has hosted a variety of conferences within the tourism and experience economy sector--both for academics and industry professionals alike. Christian has also served as the head of program for the service, tourism, and hospitality management program at the Business Academy Southwest, with managerial experience coming to the forefront not only at the academy but also as a representative at national tourism and education networks.

Grzegorz Kwiatkowski is an associate professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. He holds Ph.D. in Business Economics from the University of Southern Denmark. His research concentrates on regional development, tourism, and events. Kwiatkowski is a published author in internationally recognized scientific journals (e.g., European Planning Studies; Journal of Rural Studies; Current Issues in Tourism; Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism; Event Management) and monographs (e.g., Routledge; Springer; Peter Lang). His publications were cited over 600 times.

Ove Oklevik is an associate professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. He holds Ph.D. in Marketing from the Norwegian School of Economics. His research concentrates on branding, sustainable tourism, and events. Ove has long experience in consultant activities toward the tourism industry in Norway and in externally funded project together with the tourism industry in Norway.