Book activites with local providers

Why booking your experience with local companies matters
 

When you book activities through Visit Svalbard, most of what you pay goes directly to the people who create the experiences. At the same time, you help support and develop Svalbard as a more sustainable destination.

Most visitors to Longyearbyen and Svalbard want to travel responsibly, not only for the sake of nature, but also for the people who live and work here. That is why choosing where you book your experiences is also part of responsible travel.

It has never been easier to book experiences through international booking platforms. However, when your reservation is made through these intermediaries, a portion of what you pay goes to large global companies instead of staying within the local community.

Your Money Makes a Difference
When you book through Visit Svalbard’s booking platform, most of the revenue remains local. The income goes directly to our member businesses, enabling them to invest in employees, skills development, safety, and high-quality experiences. It also helps support year-round jobs, a vibrant tourism industry, and a strong local community.

Visit Svalbard retains a small commission from each booking. This helps fund shared responsibilities such as visitor management, destination stewardship, host services, and destination development. In this way, the destination management organisation can fulfil its role as an important contributor to the local community.

Local Support When You Need It
When you book through Visit Svalbard, you also benefit from a local point of contact with in-depth knowledge of the activities, member businesses, and conditions on Svalbard.

Svalbard is a destination where weather, ice conditions, and nature can affect travel plans. Activities may need to be rescheduled or cancelled, and questions sometimes arise along the way.

Whether you need information before your trip, assistance during your stay, or help changing a booking, you have direct access to both the activity provider and the destination organisation. Fewer intermediaries mean easier communication, quicker solutions, and a more predictable experience, supported by local knowledge and personal service.

A small choice can make a big difference.

Thank you for choosing local.

Did You Know?
The “Member of Visit Svalbard” label is a mark of quality that shows a business is part of the professional and organised tourism industry in Longyearbyen. In a world where travellers are becoming increasingly quality-conscious, this label makes it easier to make informed choices. It represents a clear commitment to responsibility by the provider and can only be used by members of Visit Svalbard (Svalbard Tourism Council). All member businesses are vetted and approved by the Svalbard Tourism Council board and are trusted, responsible providers of products and services with strong knowledge of local conditions.