Back to search

BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram

From place-based natural resources to value-added experiences: Tourism in the new bio-economy

Alternative title: Fra stedlige naturressurser til verdifulle opplevelser: Turismen i den nye bioøkonomien (BIOTOUR)

Awarded: NOK 35.1 mill.

The BIOTOUR project, funded by the Norwegian Research Council 2016-2021, has analyzed key conditions for future development of nature-based tourism in Norway. The project was organized as five integrated work packages: (i) Nature-based tourism in the Norwegian bioeconomy; (ii) Resource and product analyses; (iii) Market analyses; (iv) Tourism actors and management; and (v) Innovative tourism solutions. There were two supporting work packages for outreach, communication and administration. Empirical investigation and field trips were undertaken in three case areas: Trysil, Interior Hardanger and Varanger. Additional studies were done at the national and international level. Central themes for BIOTOUR were Adventure, Wildlife, Trails and Events. BIOTOUR involved 24 researchers (including four PhD candidates and two postdocs) from five Norwegian and four international universities and institutes, as well as five industry partners (NHO Reiseliv, Hanen, Norwegian Farmers Union, the Norwegian Trekking Association, and Innovation Norway). The breadth of the project has produced results within a wide spectrum of themes: trends and driving forces, innovation and sustainable regional development, natural and cultural resources, tangible and intangible elements, motivation among tourism entrepreneurs, creativity, the nature-based tourism product, demand and product packages, applications for smartphone technology, nature-based events, wildlife, and digital solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main findings are published in the book «Nordic Perspectives on Nature-based Tourism ? From place-based resources to value-added experiences» (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2021). The book includes several studies of nature-based tourism in a Nordic context, taking Norway and the BIOTOUR project as the point of departure. The most important findings from the book are summarized in five factsheets published in Norwegian. The BIOTOUR project also produced a four-minute film summarizing the key findings through a guided tour at Folgefonna glacier. In August 2021 BIOTOUR co-hosted the «10th International Conference on Monitoring and Management of Visitors in Recreational and Protected Areas» where results and experiences from the project were discussed in a special session. In total, BIOTOUR has produced 1 book, 3 PhD theses, 29 peer review articles, 29 book chapters, 19 reports, 46 popular science publications, coverage in 66 mass media pieces and 127 external relation activities. A main question for BIOTOUR was how resources, consumer demand and leadership in nature-based tourism can contribute to business innovation, community resilience and sustainable use of natural resources. By researching this topic, the project has enhanced impacts on Norwegian society in several areas. More specifically, BIOTOUR has contributed to an increased competence among researchers about nature-based tourism as a subject and the business sector. It has contributed to increased competence in cross-disciplinary research, as well as to connections with representatives from management organizations, tourism businesses and local communities throughout the project, especially in the three case areas. Through this approach, BIOTOUR has increased the knowledge and understanding of business structures and organization of stakeholders in nature-based tourism, their challenges and opportunities. BIOTOUR has strengthened the nature-based tourism research field, both through development of theory and empirically based knowledge. Awareness and knowledge about impacts and limitations of this sector, together with associated developments and trends, will have practical and political implications for businesses and public management. Altogether, the results contribute to better knowledge about the significance of the nature-based component of the overall tourism sector, especially in rural regions where these businesses are particularly important. The project has strengthened stakeholder opportunities to work with knowledge-based innovation. Results from the project also will support opportunities among entrepreneurs to develop nature-based tourism in a more sustainable direction. Regarding competence and skills development, results from BIOTOUR will provide a basis for courses and program development in tourism and place development at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and other institutions.

BIOTOUR har gitt økt forskningskompetanse innenfor det naturbaserte reiselivet som fag og næringsområde. Det har vært tett kontakt med representanter for forvaltning, reiseliv og lokalsamfunn. På denne måten har BIOTOUR gitt en bedre forståelse av næringens struktur og organisering samt hva som kjennetegner ulike aktører i denne sektoren, deres utfordringer og forretningsmuligheter. BIOTOUR har gitt en bedre forståelse av fundamentale forhold, utviklingstrekk og trender. Forskere fra ulike fagområder i Norge og internasjonalt har etablert fruktbare samarbeid og nettverk. Gjennom referansegruppen har kontakter mellom forskning og aktører innen naturbasert reiseliv blitt etablert og forsterket. Prosjektet har styrket aktørenes grunnlag for å arbeide kunnskapsbasert med produktinnovasjon. Funn fra prosjektet vill danne grunnlag for utvikling av studier og kurstilbud ved NMBU, Høgskulen på Vestlandet og andre steder.

The BIOTOUR project will analyse key conditions for future development of nature-based tourism in Norway that contribute to business innovation, community resilience and sustainable use of natural resources. The project is organized into five integrated work packages for research and two supporting work packages for outreach, communication and project administration. Scientifically, BIOTOUR provides new knowledge with respect to (i) Nature-based tourism in the Norwegian bio-economy (sector analyses, social change, trends, the nature-based tourism servicescape, and community resilience); (ii) Resource and product analyses (modelling of risk-of-resource depletion, landscape resource analysis); (iii) Market analyses (integrated products, segments); (iv) Tourism actors and management (motivations, profitability, growth potentials, management and interaction); and (v) Innovative tourism solutions (packaged products, market communication through ICT solutions, knowledge driven entrepreneurships). Empirically, the project focuses on four case study themes of significance to the Norwegian NBT sector: adventure, wildlife, trails and events. BIOTOUR is a collaboration between five Norwegian research institutions and four international university partners. The scientific output from the project include three doctor dissertations, over 20 peer-reviewed publications, an international conference and a book. BIOTOUR is planned in cooperation with key organizations of the Norwegian nature-based tourism sector to strengthen relevance and industry involvement in research.

Publications from Cristin

No publications found

Funding scheme:

BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram