Balestrand Summit 2009 boasted some 100 participants. The conference, which took place on 25-26 May at Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand, Norway, focussed on the relationship between sustainable tourism and economic yield.

Political advisor Fride Solbakken from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, opended the first the day of conference with the topic "Challenges and opportunities for sustainable tourism". Other key note speakers included representatives from the tourism sector and researchers presenting results from ongoing research projects.

Many participants were particularly interested in the sustainability efforts of Whistler - the famous Canadian skiing destination; Finnair's approach to aviation emissions; and Hilton Hotels' global inititative to reduce the environmental strain associated with the chain's 3000 hotels worldwide. The summit also featured a "best practice" example, Alpine Pearls and the destination Werfenweng in Austria.

Balestrand Summit 2009 was concluded by two Norwegian politicians, Erling Sande (member of the Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment for the Centre Party) and Gunvor Eldegard (Deputy Chairman The Standing Comittee on Business and Industry for the Labour Party).

Presentations from the conference

Picture from the conference

Presseklipp:

NRK Sogn og Fjordane

NRK Sogn og Fjordane

Sogn Avis