Eidfjord Municipal Council has formally approved Visit Eidfjord's Sustainability Policy and Strategic Plan 2026–2030, reinforcing the Norwegian destination's long-term commitment to sustainable cruise tourism and responsible destination management.
The strategy is intended to strengthen Eidfjord's position as a sustainable cruise destination by balancing tourism growth with the protection of the local environment, cultural heritage and community, while increasing the value generated for residents, visitors and industry partners.
A central element of the plan is the continuation of the municipality's one-ship-per-day policy, accompanied by a daily limit of 4,500 cruise passengers. The measures are designed to maintain a high-quality visitor experience while supporting effective visitor management.
The strategy also sets environmental targets for cruise operations. Visit Eidfjord aims to have at least 50% of cruise calls connected to shore power by 2027, with the objective of achieving full shore power utilisation by 2030. Shore power infrastructure is scheduled to become available at the destination's newly extended pier in April 2027. The municipality will also continue efforts to attract lower-emission cruise vessels and reduce emissions generated by both ships and shore excursion transport.
To improve the seasonal distribution of visitors, the strategy encourages increased cruise activity during the shoulder seasons. The 2026 cruise programme is expected to run from March through November, with 90 scheduled calls, ~80% of which are planned between May and the end of September.
The plan also places greater emphasis on collaboration with cruise lines and shore excursion providers to encourage longer port stays, promote more sustainable visitor experiences and increase the economic benefits of cruise tourism for the local community.
Visit Eidfjord stated that the strategy is based on the principle that responsible growth, close cooperation with industry partners and measurable sustainability objectives are essential to preserving Eidfjord as both a desirable place to live and a sustainable cruise destination. The organisation also indicated that it intends to further strengthen its partnerships with cruise operators and tourism stakeholders to deliver high-quality guest experiences while protecting the region's unique fjord environment for future generations.