NORWEGIAN FJORDS NAMED TO TOP OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER'S LIST OF ICONIC DESTINATIONS

A REGION HURTIGRUTEN HAS BEEN PRESENTING TO THE WORLD SINCE 1893

New York, NY, October 2009 -- National Geographic Traveler magazine has placed the Norwegian fjords, a highlight of Hurtigruten's Coastal Voyage, at the top of its list of the world’s most celebrated and iconic travel destinations - based on its survey undertaken in cooperation with the National Geographic Center for Sustainable destinations.  This is the third time in the six-year history of the venerated magazine's "Places Rated" Destination Stewardship survey that the Norwegian fjords have topped the list.  This honor follows the 2007 Lofoten Islands' designation as the world's third best island destination - another daily stop on the Coastal Voyage - and reinforces Lonely Planet's "Blue List" description of Hurtigruten's Coastal Voyage as the "world's most beautiful voyage."

"The integrity and world renown of National Geographic, as well as its global penetration makes this one of the most important awards in travel industry internationally," says Christian Bue Nordahl, Global Brand Manager at Hurtigruten ASA.  "The fact that the Norwegian fjords have once again topped the list is an affirmation of the unique natural assets that we possess.  We are delighted by the results and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Fjord Norway on its success.”

More than 100,000 foreign visitors cruised the fjords and the rest of Norway's spectacular 1,250-mile west coast in 2008, aboard one of Hurtigruten's 11 modern ships that sail these waters daily, year-round.  Besides the fjords, Hurtigruten guests get to visit an eclectic array of ports (34 in all), including Trondheim, one of the country’s oldest cities and a thriving university town; Bergen, a charming Hanseatic port; the Lofoten archipelago, with peaked mountains and villages filled with rust-red fishermen’s cabins; and Alesund, destroyed by fire in 1904 and completely rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style. 

About the survey: 133 destinations were surveyed by 437 travel experts, and rated based on the following six criteria: environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management and outlook for the future.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing daily along the Norwegian coast as well as to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen.  Information, brochures and reservations can be obtained from Hurtigruten Inc., (800) 323-7436; fax (954) 486-9340; for brochures (800) 582-0835, 24 hours a day; www.hurtigruten.us.

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