Northern Lights creates growth in the incentive market

Northern Lights encourages growth in the incentive industry in Northern Norway

Seeing the Northern Lights in Norway continues to top British people’s buckets lists, and it is not just the tourists that are travelling up North. The incentive market is booming, and the arctic city of Tromsø is well prepared with several new hotels this year.

Northern Norway is regarded one of the absolutely best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, with a brilliant location far north, and with easy access to both coast and mainland. Hence Norway has experienced enduring growth of Northern Lights tourists, but they are now seeing a growing demand also from the Meetings- and Incentive industry. Particularly the arctic city Tromsø is experiencing a boom, and reported a 9 % increase in the meetings and conference traffic from 2012 to 2014.

Increase in visitor numbers – increasing capacity

While the Northern Lights and arctic activities draw increasing amounts, also the accessibility to Tromsø is emphasised as an important factor. There are direct flights from London Gatwick to Tromsø three times a week, and numerous daily flights going via Oslo.

To meet this growing demand, a significant capacity increase is underway in Tromsø. In the period 2013 to 2017, the capacity will have increased 76 per cent with many new hotels opening. Several of the city’s hotels are targeting the corporate sector and offer excellent facilities.

Boasting a picturesque seaside location, the Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora offers beautiful views of the scenic harbour and of Tromsø. It is an ideal meeting venue for small and medium sized meetings with a maximum capacity of 120 people in each class room and a conference hall. Clarion's new conference and business hotel in the centre of Tromsø, The Edge, has 11 meeting rooms with capacity for 1000 people and flexible conference facilities on the top floor with spectacular views.

Approximately 55km outside Tromsø, on the scenic island of Sommarøy, next to the marina, sits Sommarøy Arctic Hotel - a resort built in traditional Northern Norwegian style consisting of a main building and several warehouses.The hotel offers conference packages which includes Arctic lunch platter or buffet and 3-course dinner that also can be upgraded to a banquet menu.

Notes to editor:

The Northern lights season normally runs from October-March, and this season is expected to be one of the best in a decade.

Norwegian Air flies directly from London to Tromsø, www.norwegian.com/uk . From £72 one way.

For more information: http://www.visitnorway.com/en/meetings/destinations/tromso/