Photo credit: Jostein Vedvik

Sustainable Cruise Tourism in Hardangerfjord

Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord is responsible for three cruise ports: Eidfjord, Ulvik and Rosendal.

In 2010-13 Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord partnered with the EU project “Cruise Gateway – sustainable cruise tourism”. Based on the work there, an upper cap was introduced of 4,000 pax per day and maximum two ships in port. This action enabled control of the flow of tourists in villages with only 1000 inhabitants.

Furthermore, Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord spreads the shore excursions across five municipalities avoiding a mass concentration of people in village centres. By introducing emission-free activities, such as kayaks, bikes and organized hikes, there was zero pollution caused by the cruise visitor excursions.

“The cruise calls to Hardanger have brought prosperity and social life to the fjord villages. By strict control and good cooperation with the cruise lines we have together made an environmentally friendly business, good for the locals and good for our guests!”
Helge Moeller, Managing Director, Cruise Destination Hardangerfjord