The nature tourism companies, together with the regional destination organization Swedish Lapland Visitors Board and the e-learning company Learnify, have developed an online-based business development tool for companies that want to begin their sustainability journey.

Content, method and structure are based on many years of experience and proven tools taken from the Swedish Nature Tourism Companies' sustainability label for ecotourism companies - Nature's Best Sweden.

When the County Administrative Board in Norrbotten announced targeted funds to work concretely with Agenda 2030, the Nature Tourism Companies decided to apply for funding for a completely new distance-independent and adapted online course for the sustainable business development of nature tourism companies.

”"The life of a nature tourism entrepreneur is sometimes quite hectic, taking care of guests and showing our fantastic nature is just the tip of the iceberg of tasks that need to be carried out. Unfortunately, it is easy for the company's own development to be deprioritized when courses and training are usually offered in another location on fixed dates," says Pär Innala at Naturturismföretagen and continues:

”"With this tool that works on both mobile and computer, you can choose to work on your own development towards a more sustainable business, when it suits you and wherever you want."”

Project manager Stina Almqvist, who planned and built the content and educational concept, sees many advantages with the new digital service: "My experience is that nature tourism companies want to do good and right, but don't really know how or what to focus on. Now many companies have access to knowledge, inspiration and concrete tools and can begin a long-term development process."”

She also believes that an important starting point has been to use proven tools and methods. "Therefore, the content of the online course is based on the Swedish Nature Tourism Companies' sustainability label for ecotourism companies - Nature's Best Sweden.".

The work that the company does in the tool can later be used in various contexts, such as in the application to quality label their company through Nature's Best Sweden.

”There is a great demand globally and nationally from guests who want to experience the Arctic nature and natural culture of the destination Swedish Lapland,” says Erica Mattsson, CEO of the Swedish Lapland Visitors Board. ”In order to meet the demand and welcome more guests to the region, it is important that our destination has a sustainable focus. With this initiative, we want to make it easier for companies to share knowledge for adaptation to both Agenda 2030 and the growing target group of responsible travelers.”.

The new digital business development tool has been tested by a number of pilots during the autumn. Now this spring the online course is being opened up to a number of companies, primarily within the Swedish Lapland destination, and will be available for use until the end of June 2019.

”"We will shortly send out an invitation to companies in the Swedish Lapland destination," concludes Erica Mattsson.

During the latter part of 2019, the goal for the Nature Tourism Companies is to further develop a more full-scale digital tool that will be available to even more people throughout Sweden.