A sustainable Sälen - a matter of the heart
Sälenfjällen has a natural incentive to care for the nature and environment in which we live and work. We want both visitors and ourselves to enjoy the mountains in the future.
Bærekraftig Reisemål
The Sustainability Label “Bærekraftig Reisemål” is our systematic work on sustainable development. The Sustainable Destination Certification in Sälenfjällen was (together with Idre) the first destination in Sweden to receive the certification outside Norway in 2018. Since then we have been recertified once. The Sustainable Destinations approach is for destinations that want to work long-term with sustainable development.
– The Sustainable Destinations certification is not an award for work done. But it drives us in the right direction and our sustainability work must always be in motion, says Anders Bjerulf, CEO Destination Sälenfjällen.
Sälenfjällen was recertified in 2022 and works continuously with measures in climate and environment, social responsibility and economic sustainability. This is an extensive process, with 84 indicators to be answered in order to be awarded the certification for three more years. Sustainability-certified destinations are currently found throughout Norway in around 40 destinations, but only in a few in Sweden.
– It is clear that Sälenfjällen has worked on sustainable destination development over time. The examples and actions have progressively increased and improved between the two certificationssays Carina Sisell, who coordinates the certification work for Destination Sälenfjällen.
The work to answer the indicators includes three different surveys with our target groups around the destination: residents, cottage owners, visitors and entrepreneurs. Through the residents’ survey, we are also pleased to see that the arrangements made for guests are good for the residents. We are extremely grateful to everyone who is contributing by answering these surveys.
Without visitors and cabin owners, much of what Sälenfjällen has to offer would be lost, as there are not enough inhabitants to cope with such an extensive and wide range of services and good infrastructure as we have today. Sälenfjällen’s tourism is thus an important factor in making Sälenfjällen an attractive place to live and move to. Input from the three surveys will be incorporated into an action plan that Destination Sälenfjällen and Malung-Sälen Municipality, together with other partners, will review and take action to improve for the target groups.
– The frequent dialog between the destination company and the municipality’s political and administrative management is a good example for other destinations to follow,” says Jan Erik Dietrichson, external controller of the certification system.
Read more about the Sustainable Destination Certification at Visit Norway, which is approved by the GSTC that their certification follows the standard based on the 2030 Agenda, which in turn has been translated into a practice for the tourism industry.
Sustainability of our members
Destination Sälenfjällen is the joint company for the development of the hospitality industry in Sälenfjällen. The company works strategically with overall issues to create good conditions for the hospitality industry and thereby contribute to an increased number of visitors all year round in Sälenfjällen. Destination Sälenfjällen represents 150 member companies.
Read more about how some of them work with sustainability.
