With the Värmland Tourism Award, which consists of 10,000 kronor, Visit Värmland recognizes a person, company or organization that has significantly contributed to strengthening the Värmland tourism industry. This year, the Värmland Tourism Award went to Västanå Teater with the following justification:

”"Year after year they fill the Storytelling Barn with their musical, artistic and expressive performances. With storytelling tradition and innovative performing arts, they find new ways to collaborate within the tourism industry. They focus on myth, fairy tale and poetry and are a beloved tourist destination and a cultural carrier of rank that you are happy to return to. The storytelling tradition is a very important part of Värmland.".

Klarälvsloppet, Newcomer of the Year

Visit Värmland also awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year. This is to highlight an actor who has distinguished himself in the tourism industry in Värmland through innovative thinking (development of existing operations or new start-ups). The Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 was Klarälvsloppet with the following motivation:

”"The sports event is aimed at a wide audience, from professionals to exercisers, young and old. An environmentally friendly activity that showcases the Värmland nature and is a welcome contribution to the tourism industry with great potential for growth. Almost new and already historic!"”

Connect and share – The shareable destination won Essay of the Year

”"With the essay "Connect and share" - The shareable destination", Sofia Eliasson and Frida Johansson make visible the relationship between Airbnb, landlords and tourism organizations in Karlstad. The essay contributes knowledge about the so-called sharing economy and the students show that Airbnb is both an addition and a challenge to the traditional accommodation market in the hospitality industry such as hotels and hostels. The essay also discusses the large hidden figure regarding how many overnight stays de facto take place through Airbnb in Värmland."”

The award was presented by Gunilla Ingemyr, chairwoman of Sunne City Council. The jury consisted of Visit Värmland's board, which also appointed the three finalists in the two categories:

Värmland Tourism Award 2018 – finalists:

• Klässbols Linen Mill
• Sandground Lars Lerin
• Västanå Theatre

Upstart of the Year 2018 – finalists:

• Artisan Bread
• Culinary rich
• Klarälvsloppet

The prizes go to those who best meet the following criteria:

Värmland Tourism Award

• International elements in the business
• Collaboration and networking
• Spreads knowledge and experience
• Works long-term and sustainably

Upstart of the Year

• New thinking and innovative working methods
• The new contribution to the tourism industry

Nominees for Essay of the Year

• Connect and share – The shareable destination, Sofia Eliasson and Frida Johansson
• The work of tourism organizations with the Chinese market in Sweden – A study of the Chinese market in Värmland, Matilda Andersson & Elin Arnell

All nominees: https://www.visitvarmland.org/sv/nominerade-till-varmlands-turismpris-och-arets-uppstickare-2018