politics
Asks Norwegian Government to Withdraw Svalbard Hearings
Businesses in Svalbard demand the government withdraw hearings with “invasive regulation proposals”. “When one is to shape proposals for such invasive measures for an entire community, we expect to be involved and listened to”, says General Manager Terje Aunevik of Svalbard Business Association.
Published
Modified
In September, the then-Solberg government sent out hearings with proposals for new regulations applicable to Svalbard.
Now, Visit Svalbard in collaboration with the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and Svalbard Business Association demand that the [new] government withdraw the hearing about field safety and the one about the Svalbard environment (see fact boxes below).
“We request the new government withdraw the invasive regulation proposals from the previous government. The proposals appear rushed, create insecurity about framework conditions for tourism and other business, employment and investments in the entire Svalbard community”, General Manager Ronny Brunvoll of Visit Svalbard writes in a press statement.
Major changes
He stresses that both Visit Svalbard, AECO, and Svalbard Business Association fully support the purpose of the proposals, which is to preserve a vulnerable nature environment, protect cultural heritage, and maintain security for people in the field.
Ronny Brunvoll says the many different regulation proposals involve major changes for tourism as well as the local community. Proposed changes include a new certification scheme for all guides, a ban on cruise vessels with more than 200 passengers, and – with some exceptions – a general ban on travel in protected areas for cruise tourists.
Everyone who does not live in Svalbard will also have to apply four weeks in advance for a formal permission to move outside the plan areas.
Thirty years of local experience in tourism have not been heard.
Against professional advice
A unified business sector in Svalbard argues that the process leading up to the proposals being sent on hearing has been poor, and that the proposals are not supported by empirical background and analysis.
Brunvoll argues that several of the proposals contradict professional advice from a.o. the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research (NINA) and the Norwegian Polar Institute, and that the proposals are based on a precautionary principle even where actual knowledge exists or could have been produced.
“Thirty years of local experience in tourism has not been heard, while existing knowledge and tools have been ignored”, says Frigg Jørgensen, CEO of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO).
New proposals
“The fact that consequences for companies, the local population and the local community has not been better explored or is even absent in most areas, is quite serious. When such invasive measures for an entire community are to be shaped, we expect to be involved and listened to”, says General Manager Terje Aunevik of Svalbard Business Association.
“That is why we ask the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Climate and Environment to reset the process and involve professional communities and local competence in working out a new proposal.”
In a joint statement, Visit Svalbard, Svalbard Business Association and AECO say that they want to preserve a pristine nature environment, protect cultural heritage and maintain field security for guests. They also say they support the goal about unserious and irresponsible tourist operators not operating in Svalbard.
However, they argue, the proposals are not much suited for pursuing these goals.
“If the new government would withdraw the proposals, a unified tourist industry in Svalbard is ready to contribute to good solutions in a new and inclusive process”, their statement reads.
Also read
This article was originally published in Norwegian and has been translated by HNN's Elisabeth Bergquist.
