Tuesday, April 21, 2020
The Norwegian Government’s national development bank and state-based company, Innovation Norway, recently allocated NOK 178 million to support the country’s internal tourism industry. The decision has been made as an effort to provide help to Norway’s domestic tourism industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was confirmed by the Norwegian Business Ministry this week.
As a response to the coronavirus outbreak, Norway continues to avoid unnecessary travel as non-essential travel ban is still in force. The Norwegian government has constantly urged its citizens to maintain social distancing and self-quarantine to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
The Minister of Trade and Industry has already asked Innovation Norway to make its marketing the new spotlight. In a time when global travel is restricted and the travel and tourism industry is facing the biggest challenge ever, the Norway Ministry is hopeful that the citizens will choose their closest holiday country or internal tourism for the summer vacations under Government approval.
Iselin Nybø, Minister of Trade and Industry, Norway said in a recent press statement that the key aim of the latest action is to promote Norwegian tourism to Norwegians and that the COVID-19 crisis goes well beyond Norwegian tourism. She mentioned that the ministry is aware that irrespective of several crisis packages issued by the government for the benefit tourism companies, many individuals are uneasy, uncertain and fearful about the future.
She informed that an important step for the industry is that it is now opening the way for Innovation Norway to direct market measures to the Norwegian tourism market. She shared that the country has amazing scenery and a multitude of exciting attractions and experiences to boost domestic tourism. She mentioned that it is important at present to manage and care about all the small and large players around the country.
She said that the tourism industry has shown an increasing graph over the years and has helped the creation of new start-ups and in the development of the tourism industry. She urged Norwegians to vacation in their own country once the disease control measures are eased and people are allowed to travel again.
Bente Bratland, Director of Tourism, Innovation Norway further added that with regard to the development of tourism he believes that more knowledge of what Norway as a destination has to offer will inspire more people to embark on new adventures in their own country this summer.
Tags: Covid-19, Innovation Norway, norway, Norwegian Tourism
