Lofoten Kajakk – certified ecotourism activities

The objective of becoming certified as an ecotourism company was to work as a role model in order to avoid detrimental changes in the nature and to educate guests in environmentally sound behavior. Lofoten Kajakk is one of the oldest activity companies in Norway and it is owned and operated by its creator Jann Engstad. Since 2008, Lofoten Kajakk have been "Certified Ecotourism Norway". In order to receive the certificate, the company had to meet specified criteria on use of resources, purchasing eco-friendly products and services, energy efficiency and renewable energy, use of chemicals, waste reduction measures, transport methods and make changes to the product portfolio. The company had to give up motorized whale watching tours in order to receive the certificate. Hence the company's service products have been developed so that only non-motorized activities are offered. The activities include guided sea kayaking, cycling, hiking, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing tours. Lofoten Kajakk's goal is to teach its clients new practices on how to minimize the impact on wildlife for instance by optimal advance planning and environmentally sound behavior in the nature. The guests are for example taught how to attract wildlife without disturbing it. The camping sites are selected according to their ecological carrying capacity. The objective is that during the activities any unnecessary noise is avoided and no trace is left to the nature. Food products are selected and packaged in manner that minimizes waste. The client transport to and from the starting points of the activities is optimized in order to reduce fuel consumption. In line with the certificate, the company is studying the possibilities to purchase an electric or a hybrid minibus. However, suitable options for longer distances and cold conditions do not yet exist. The company's storage building has an energy efficient air heat pump that runs with renewable energy. In the future, the company wishes to be able to extend the length of the tours from half a day trips to overnight tours in order to minimize the emissions from transportation between accommodation and starting points of tours. Success Factors The most important success factor has been the personal belief of Jann Engstad that ecotourism is the only sustainable business model in the future. In addition, the company's open approach towards cooperation with other companies has been successful. Novelty Jann Engstad has actively participated in the development of ecotourism in Norway. Lofoten Kajakk was the first company in Norway to become certified by Norwegian Ecotourism. Sustainability Impacts The main sustainability impacts from Lofoten Kajakk's activities stem from the potential behavioral changes of the clients. Lofoten Kajakk collects feedback from the clients about what they have learned about ecological travelling behavior. The most common new skills and behaviors that the clients have learned are: 1. It is easy to prepare for a trip in way that helps minimize the amount of waste 2. Buying local food is more interesting and exiting 3. It is both possible and more fruitful to approach wildlife in their terms In addition, the decision to give up motorized activities, such as whale watching tours, has resulted in nearly 10 000 liters annual fuel reduction, in addition to noise minimization. The company has also reduced land transport fuel consumption by 30%, (some 250 liters) through optimizing the transportation between the guest accommodation and the tour starting points. The company has been recognized for its efforts towards sustainable tourism. Lofoten Kajakk was awarded WWF (World Wildlife Foundation) first prize in 1998 and was "1st Runner-up" in 1999 for purposeful work and inspiring participation in "Linking Tourism and Conservation in the Arctic" project of WWF. Challenges and potential for further development The biggest challenge is the lack of overall recognition towards ecotourism. The government has stopped supporting the Norwegian Ecotourism and therefore it is not sufficiently well known by the consumers or service providers. Other companies in the area have shown little interest towards ecotourism development. In addition, the lack of European wide ecotourism certificate with corresponding criteria is complicating the comparability of ecotourism companies in different countries and hindering the awareness of ecotourism among consumers. During spring 2016, Lofoten Kajakk is planning to get the ecotourism certificate also to the limited company Lofoten Aktiv, which follows the same sustainability principles as the personal company Lofoten Kajakk established by Jann Engstad. Contact person for more information: Jann Engstad, post@lofoten-aktiv.no