Program - Tourism Management Conference

The program may be subject to change. 

Dates: 26–29 May 2025
Location: Ballstad, Vestvågøy, Lofoten, Norway
Venue: Kræmmervika Havn
Note: We need you to register before the end of april to be be sure to have an accomodation for you.

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome (Monday, 26 May)

Midday
12:00–18:00: Participant Arrival
Check-in and welcome package, including program overview and local treats.

Evening
18:00–20:00: Welcome Dinner at Kræmmarvika Havn (the venue)

Locally sourced, sustainable cuisine.
Cultural performance by local musician and storytelling about Ballstad's history, by representative from the local village group.

Day 2: Workshops and Exploration (Tuesday, 27 May)

Time Schedule: 08:45–17:00

Morning

08:45 Opening speech

09:00–12:00: Workshops at Venue (TBD)

09:00–10:00: Get to know each other! And updates from each area

10:15–12:30: Workshop 1: International collaborations with MAB networks, such as "Supported by Nature" – Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change. Led by project leader, Østersjøen, Sverige.

Interactive Sharing: Workshops include opportunities for participants to share regional experiences.

Lunch Break
12:30–13:30: Networking Lunch
Break with locally inspired dishes to encourage informal networking.

Afternoon
13:30–14:15: Workshop 2: Youth Perspectives on Sustainability and Leadership. Contributions from Norwegian youth groups and the International Youth Forum in Sweden.

14:30–15:00: Panel Discussion: Integrating Community Voices into Biosphere Policies, Nordic Vision for Biosphere Reserves by 2030.

Featuring representatives from new and established biosphere areas, including Norwegian biosphere candidates.

15:00–17:00: Excursion
Visit to a local Ballstad fishing facility practicing sustainable methods. Explore the interplay between Ballstad's traditional fisheries and modern sustainability initiatives.

Evening
18:00–20:00: Dinner at Kræmmarvika Havn (the venue)

Social dinner with interactive networking activities, including "superpower" name tags to highlight participant skills and expertise.

Day 3: Collaboration and Strategic Planning (Wednesday, 28 May)

Time Schedule: 09:00–17:00

Morning
09:00–12:00: Workshops at Venue (TBD)

09:00–10:25: Workshop 4: Q&A Becoming a Biosphere Reserve – Challenges and Opportunities. Experiences from new and candidate biosphere areas.

10:35–12:00: Workshop 5: Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Tourism in Biosphere Reserves (Such as Closed for Maintenance: Lessons from the Faroe Islands by Johan, something by Kari, UNESCO Trails by Natasha)

Interactive Planning: Sessions emphasize collective problem-solving and collaboration.

Lunch Break
12:00–13:00: Networking Lunch. Break to foster informal discussions.

Afternoon
13:00–18:00: Departures from Leknes Airport. Organized transportation from Ballstad to the airport.

Thank you to our sponsors