Winter information for activity providers in Svalbard

We wish to remind you about some suggested ethical guidelines for everyone who offers tours in and outside Longyearbyen, motorized or non motorized. This is based on recurring complaints every winter over recent years. We hope you don’t interpret this as criticism, but rather as a common checklist to maximize the good experiences for the guests, and at the same time minimize the dissatisfaction of the locals.

• Respect the people who live here, they are not tourist attractions. Unless they invite for interaction, keep respectful distance, including in town. It may be worth repeating the Longyearbyen Community Guidelines.

• The city dog kennel is a private dog kennel. This means that guests on guided tours, or on their own, should not roam freely in the area. Please ensure that your guests are not in the way of vehicle traffic or dog sleds entering and exiting the kennel. Also, note the above point regarding taking photos of people.

• Focus on traffic safety and respect for the local population when passing dog sleds on the road or in the snowmobile tracks in Adventdalen.

• If you have activities in areas with private cabins, e.g., Bjonahamna, Bjørndalen, Hiorthamn, Vindodden, Kapp Scholin etc., please be considerate. Don’t disturb those staying there, nor walk around the cabins, use terraces or barbecue areas, or go to the toilet nearby, etc. Keep your distance to avoid disturbances or conflicts.

• During activities in Vestpynten/Bjørndalen, please be reminded of the speed limit of a maximum of 40 km/h. The road is in poor condition, and high speeds lead to increased wear and tear, as well as risk of accidents. Please note that organized snowmobile trips in this area are not advisable, due to the proximity to private cabins.

• Always respect wildlife; keep distance and do not disturb.

• Please encourage your guests and employees to pick up any rubbish they come across on trips in the wilderness and around town.

• Please remind your guests about the ban on using drones in Longyearbyen. You will find rules and maps for drone use around Svalbard Airport here.

• We also wish to refer to the Guidelines for organized tourism activities in Svalbard, which all member companies are obliged to follow. Please use this opportunity to freshen up and share these with your guides.

In conclusion, we would like to remind you that the tourist information office is open daily from 10:00 – 16:00 (10am – 4pm) all winter. Please recommend your guests to visit us or refer to www.visitsvalbard.com for info and booking.

Visit Svalbard wishes everyone a wonderful winter season with no accidents and plenty of good experiences for your guests!