10_ScanMag_76_May_2015_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 06/05/2015 18:20 Page 67
Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Sogn & Fjordane
formation is provided over the loudspeaker unless killer whales appear,” Fla ̊ten explains. Instead guides walk around talking to passengers explaining the maps and providing information on how fjords were created by masses of heavy ice cutting through the mountains like razor sharp knives during the ice age. The contrasts between the heights of the surrounding mountains, according to the guides, are up to 1,800 metres and the depth of the fjord is up to 900 metres and locals still depend on the resources provided by the local nature. Stories of how local Viking battles shaped modern Norwegian society, as well as more recent searches for spying Soviet submarines during the Cold War, are shared too. In terms of marketing the business, the 100 years of local tourism experience has generated a strong network of useful con-
tacts amongst accommodation services and tour providers, in order to spread the message and to tailor tour packages according to individual needs. “Generous discounts are offered to groups and on less busy trips late in the day on our simple and user friendly web site,” Fla ̊ten explains. Whilst couples and families may prefer to use their own car, coach operators may drop off their passengers on the ferry at Kaupanger and collect them at Gudvangen after having driven through the tunnel between Lærdal and Aurland at the same time. Fla ̊ten says he is optimistic about both this season and the future. Whilst the number of visitors peaked at 100,000 tourists from around the globe in 2007, a dramatic drop in numbers took place following the international financial crisis in 2008. As Europe recovers, the route in-
creased from 36,000 tourists in 2013 to a healthy 44,000 visitors in 2014. This year the plan is to operate two return trips a day between 1 June and 30 September using M/F Ska ̊nevik only. “Next year the goal is to start on 1 May and to double capacity by using an additional ferry,” he adds. Kaupanger is located a 15-minute drive from Sogndal Airport, which receives and sends direct scheduled flights by regional airline Widerøe to and from the international airports of both Oslo and Bergen. By car Gudvangen can be reached from Bergen in less than two and a half hours.
For more information, please visit: www.fjord2.com
Above Photos: Historic
Issue 76 | May 2015 | 67