Hurtigruten offers the “Open Village” experience to explore Bessaker, Trᴂna, and Sæbø. The programme promotes connections between passengers and local residents during summer voyages from May to September.
Hurtigruten will contribute NOK 250 per cruise traveller to each village, meaning communites can potentially earn up to €10,600 per visit.
Each village’s population is below 1,000, with local businesses directly benefiting from increased tourism.
Activities include live music, woodcarving, and cultural exploration through curated experiences.
Knut Johan Monkan shared, “In a village of just 170 people, 12 businesses benefit directly, from activity providers to artists, bakers and local producers. Through our ‘Open Village’ concept, there is no cost to our guests. Our aim is for guests to feel truly welcomed and for locals to feel genuinely supported.”
