New Aurora Guide to support responsible and compliant tour operations

A new aurora guide has been developed to make it easier for tour operators offering northern lights safaris and fjord tours to understand applicable regulations, while also taking local communities and the environment into account.

Through the Tromsø Region Towards 2050 project, Tromsø Municipality and the A-crime Centre in Troms and Finnmark have gathered input from municipalities, the Police, NAV, the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Troms County Council, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Rissa Citizen Science, the Tromsø Guide Association and Visit Tromsø-Region. Together, they have developed a guide for tour operators.

The Tromsø region includes the municipalities of Balsfjord, Karlsøy, Lyngen, Storfjord and Tromsø.

Clear expectations

The new guide has been developed as part of the visitor management component of the Tromsø Region Towards 2050 project, which is funded by Troms County Council through the Arctic 2030 programme.

Higher standards expected during the winter high season

Aurora tourism in the Tromsø region continues to grow, and many tours are carried out using minibuses and larger vehicles in demanding winter conditions. The guide therefore places particular emphasis on: 

• Applicable laws and regulations from the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, the Tax Administration, the Police, NAV, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and Troms County Council
• Requirements for safe travel, winter driving and parking
• Showing consideration for residents, especially during evening and night-time hours
• Tidiness, waste management and leaving no trace
• Responsible use of fire and compliance with fire bans
• Respectful behaviour towards local communities and visitors

- “We have uncovered several breaches of regulations within the tourism industry and see a clear need for guidance to ensure a serious and safe working environment with fair competition,” says Stine Marie Knudsen, Head of the A-crime Centre in Troms and Finnmark.

- “At the same time, we want to safeguard local communities and nature, which in turn will provide positive experiences for visitors. This guide gives tour operators clear frameworks and expectations,” says Helga Bårdsdatter Kristiansen, Project Manager for Tromsø Region Towards 2050 at Tromsø Municipality.

Available to all operators

The guide is available digitally in both Norwegian and English and will be made accessible to all operators offering tours related to northern lights, fjords and nature-based experiences in the region.

The guide can be downloaded from Tromsø Municipality’s website: tromso.kommune.no/naringsutviklingitromso

Contact information – Tromsø Municipality

Name: Helga Bårdsdatter Kristiansen
Title: Sustainability Adviser
Phone: +47 989 01 539
Email: [email protected]

Contact information – A-crime Centre

Name: Stine Marie Knudsen
Title: Head of the A-crime Centre, Troms and Finnmark
Phone: +47 957 03 497
Email: [email protected]