Press release: Western Norway's fjord landscape on a study trip to Glacier Bay in Alaska.
The World Heritage Council works to ensure that the overall management of the World Heritage fjords becomes more holistic, promotes climate and environmentally friendly development, and strengthens long-term science creation.
On Friday, June 24, a broad delegation from the West Norwegian Fjord Landscape will travel on a 10-day study trip to the world heritage fjord area of Glacier Bay, Alaska. A total of 9 people participated, divided into 4 from the Geirangerfjord area and 5 from the Nærøyfjord area. In addition, a representative from Cruise Norway and 1 representative from the Norwegian Maritime Directorate participated – see attached overview.
The trip is a follow-up to a similar visit from Glacier Bay in August 2015 and is being carried out as part of an initial phase with the goal of establishing a permanent and mutually beneficial collaboration between two World Heritage fjord areas with several common challenges and possible development paths.
The purpose is, in addition to learning about the fjord landscape, to exchange experiences and conduct discussions on current cooperation topics such as:
Hans Erik Ringkjøb, mayor of Voss municipality and head of the World Heritage Council.
Management of the World Heritage fjords - with particular focus on management of cruise activity ( the Alaska model ), financing through environmental contributions, research and monitoring, etc.
Communication and information - organization and implementation of activities aimed at guests and schools as well as through information centers.
Local social and economic development – status and possible strategies.
Hans Erik Ringkjøb – Chairman of the World Heritage Council and Mayor of Voss Municipality has the following comment:
"It is important that we gain good knowledge of how our World Heritage sites can be managed. In a time of increasing tourism, it is our task to point out good solutions that ensure that we can safeguard the World Heritage and facilitate good development without jeopardizing the World Heritage status."
Press contact:
Hans Erik Ringkjøb, mayor of Voss municipality and head of the World Heritage Council, tel: 971 38 720.
Jan Ove Tryggestad, mayor of Stranda municipality and deputy chairman of the World Heritage Council, tel: 464 11 001.
Contact information World Heritage Secretariat:
Secretariat World Heritage Council for the Western Norwegian Fjord Landscape/ Secretariat Nærøyfjord Area:
Erling Oppheim, Tel: 95 17 25 95, Email: erling@naroyfjorden.no
Secretariat Geirangerfjord area:
Katrin Blomvik, Tel: 95 42 73 90, Email: katrin@verdsarvfjord.no