Tíðindaskriv:
Hesa vikuna skipaðu Visit Faroe Islands og NORA fyri altjóða ráðstevnuni "An Ocean of Opportunities". Millum høvuðsrøðarnar vóru Laura Storm, ið er serfrøðingur í at vegleiða og stuðla leiðarum og fyritøkum at leggja um til regenerativar mannagongdir, og Cillian Murphy, sum hevur staðið fyri ferðavinnumenningini á Loop Head hálvoynni í Írlandi, ið arbeiddi við at kjølfesta loysnirnar í lokalsamfelagnum.
Elsa Berg, borgarstjóri í Tórshavnar kommunu, setti ráðstevnuna. Hon kom í røðu síni m.a. á verandi ferðavinnutilboð í kommununi og týdningin av at menna nýggja ferðavinnutilboð, har atlit verður tikið til bæði fólk og náttúru.
"It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the Nordic Blue Tourism Conference, “An Ocean of Opportunities.” The title could not be more fitting, because the ocean truly does hold an ocean of opportunities – for tourism, for innovation, and for sustainable growth – right here in our beautiful Faroe Islands and in our capital, Tórshavn.
As an island community, the ocean has always been central to who we are. It has been our opportunity to make a living, to travel to other nations, and it is an inseparable part of Faroese identity. From the sea, we have built our livelihoods, and it continues to shape us – and it will most certainly shape our future as well, though perhaps in new and exciting ways.
In our municipality, we have already seen a growing number of offers for visitors who wish to explore the sea – through both traditional experiences such as fishing,´and sightseeing, but also newer opportunities – for example diving. One fine example is the village of Hvítanes, just outside of Tórshavn. Local divers tell me that they have travelled all over the world, but nowhere have they found an ocean as clear as the one here in the Faroes. Beneath the surface lies a remarkably rich plant life at the bottom of the sea. So truly – there is no need to travel any further!
At the same time, ocean tourism can also enhance cultural exchange, environmental education, and sustainable development. It allows visitors to experience the beauty and power of the ocean, while learning about the importance of protecting it for generations to come.
We are also fortunate to have local tourism pioneers who have shown great creativity and dedication over many years. The old smack Norðlýsið, which you may have noticed in the harbour here in Tórshavn, has been offering tours for a long time and has continued to innovate, creating unique and memorable experiences for visitors. Especially inspiring are the so-called Grotto Concerts, held in the cave Klæmintsgjógv on Hestur Island – the largest sea cave in the world – featuring some of our most talented local musicians. The natural acoustics of these grottos create an sound like no other – truly, a concert for life!
But in order to keep our ocean clear and thriving, we must protect it. Ocean pollution is a global challenge – and sadly, it affects us here in the Faroes as well. This is an issue we must confront together. The ocean is not only our main source of income, but an integral part of who we are.
That is why it gives me such great pleasure that NORA and Visit Faroe Islands have arranged this important conference on ocean tourism – to inspire us to explore new and alternative ways of developing tourism, while at the same time protecting the very environment that makes it possible.
So once again, I would like to thank NORA and Visit Faroe Islands for organising this important conference and for bringing us together to discuss the future of ocean tourism. To our many guests from abroad – a very warm welcome to our municipality. I hope you will enjoy your stay, experience our local hospitality, take in the ever-changing and dramatic weather, and – most importantly – leave with new knowledge, new contacts, and new friendships that will last well beyond your time here.
Thank you."
