70 Homes Will Be Removed From the Market in Svalbard In December this year, 70 homes will be removed from the rental market in Longyearbyen due to the risk of avalanches. The decision has elicited despair among the affected stakeholders.
New Report on Svalbard’s Tolerance Limit: Sustainable Destination by 2025 A new report of Svalbard's tolerance limit uncovers knowledge gaps around the cruise industry's emissions. "The government must strengthen its efforts in gathering data on greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental effect of sea-based tourism, a task tourism cannot handle alone," says the leader of Visit Svalbard, Ronny Brunvoll.
A Challenging Year for Svalbard Tourism The Svalbard tourism industry leaves behind a challenging year of decreasing visitors, unclear regulatory processes, the climate crisis, and a war that is also affecting the Arctic.
Now, the Future of Svalbard is Decided from a State Employee Office on the Mainland Commentary: How to help a business sector that is on its knees following the pandemic? According to the Norwegian state, this is best done through introducing new regulations at breakneck pace, regulations that are to be commented on and worked into new business models. We are in Svalbard, where nothing is as it was, nor how it should become.
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.
Unanimous Finance Committee Support for Svalbard Tourism Crisis Package The Norwegian parliament’s finance committee proposes a new NOK 40 million crisis package for the tourist industry in Svalbard.
Infection Onboard 'MS Roald Amundsen': “No Entering at Svalbard Settlements” “Neither passengers nor crew have come onshore in Longyearbyen, Barentsburg or Ny-Ålesund during the two cruises in our waters in July”, says Visit Svalbard Manager Ronny Brunvoll.
Op-ed: When Longyearbyen Adapts to Increasing Ship Traffic The Arctic is changing and that affects our local communities. Changes to climate and ecosystems may create both opportunities and challenges to business and management. Reduction of sea ice makes coastal communities in the Arctic more available for ship traffic. At the same time, we know too little about how this affects these communities.
