Hurtigruten Launches 'Open Village' to Support Locals

Hurtigruten has unveiled its new “Open Village” initiative in Norway, developed as a response to both peak holiday demand and growing concerns about overtourism.

According to a recent press release, the company worked hand-in-hand with local communities to design authentic, resident-led activities across the villages of Træna, Bessaker, and Sæbø. These experiences are exclusive to passengers sailing on Hurtigruten’s Signature Line between May and September.

Guests can look forward to immersive encounters that include cultural traditions, locally made food, and guided activities unique to each destination.

“As some of Europe’s best-known destinations struggle with the pressures of overtourism, our approach is deliberately different: slower, more meaningful travel rooted in genuine connection,” said Odd Tore Skildheim, Hurtigruten’s head of product development.

Skildheim emphasized the company's commitment to sustainable tourism: “These villages, with a combined population of fewer than 1,000, are not just points on a map. Through our ‘Open Village’ concept, there is no cost to our guests. Instead, for every visit we make, there is a direct financial contribution made by Hurtigruten to each community based on the number of guests onboard, ensuring the benefits are felt by the people who live there. Our aim is for guests to feel truly welcomed and for locals to feel genuinely supported.”

Local stakeholders are already seeing the positive effects. “For us in Bessaker, the Open Village contribution is about more than income; it is the foundation for growth and optimism in our community,” said Knut Johan Monkan from Coastal Host Bessaker.

“In a village of just 170 people, 12 businesses benefit directly, from activity providers to artists, bakers and local producers. Without this initiative, places like FABrikken, our new restaurant, and Stokkøy Bakeri, named Norway’s best bakery in 2023, would not have managed to keep going,” Monkan added.

“The ripple effects are wide-reaching, and Hurtigruten’s presence is essential to creating a sustainable, living village and district.”

The company noted that its smaller vessels make these port calls, allowing them to reach destinations inaccessible to larger cruise ships. Hurtigruten donates 250 Norwegian Krone per guest to each host village with every visit.

Village Highlights:

• Bessaker: A vibrant parade, live music, historic architecture, traditional woodcarving, and homemade delicacies.
• Sæbø: A church concert, visits to the Avalanche Centre, and guided insights into local heritage and landscapes.
• Træna: A self-paced cultural experience featuring the Træna Local Museum, Petter Dass Chapel, and the local church.