Eliassen rorbuer spends 50 million on rorbu in Hamnøy in Lofoten amid the crown crisis – NRK

While the tourism industry is struggling during the crown crisis, there are some who are fully committed.

The Eliassen Rorbuer company was already planning a large-scale development of 60 new units in 2018, in addition to the 45 rorbuks they already have. The price is NOK 50 million.

For iTromsø, who first raised the matter, says Eirik Bræin Gikling, general manager and co-owner of Eliassen Rorbuer AS, that this is the largest tourism development in the western Lofoten area.

– Stopping development is not an option. We have gone too far for that. Funding is in place, but obviously we are excited about the market, ”Gikling tells NRK.

In 2018, DN wrote that Gikling, along with a group of friends, was the largest to operate rorbues in Lofoten. That time passed

The group of friends with more than NOK 100 million

.

National festive bonanza hope

It is a special situation. 2020 looked very promising until the crown crisis was a fact, says the co-owner.

Although many cancellations have come from abroad, a good number of Norwegian bookings have arrived.

– We note that there is a growing interest from Norwegian customers. We believe Lofoten and northern Norway are something that many have had on their “wish list,” he says.

Two-thirds of the market are foreign tourists, Gikling estimates. Now he expects more people to press the Norwegian holidays against his chest.

– Now we choose to see it so that the Norwegian market is important. We look forward to a good visit to Norway now in the summer season. We are more excited about winter. There are traditionally foreign tourists who come to experience the Northern Lights.

Although there are difficult times on the trips, Gikling is happy with the measures the authorities have taken.

– We believe that the Norwegian authorities have handled this in a good way. The situation is not optimal, but we must overcome it.

Previously Siw Sandvik at the Northern Norway Travel Agency also said this is a golden one

the opportunity to take people south and other Scandinavians to spend their holidays in northern Norway


.

From 19 to 105 rudder bows

In 2008, Gikling was instrumental in acquiring the Eliassen rorbu company.

– We start with 19 worn rudders. Since then, he has the ball on. We have returned every penny to the company again. We now have 45 rorbu, he says.

With a good growth in tourism in recent years, in 2018 they decided to invest. In the same year, 60 additional units were regulated for development.

– Despite the crown crisis, we are now in the process of completing the project. The first 30 units have arrived, the last in May. This is a great commitment, but the decision was made a long time ago.

The 60 units are pre-made modules supplied by Helgelandshytta.

– Also, we do basic work through a local contractor, so they can only be implemented when they arrive, says Gikling.

He believes that investing in times of crisis increases optimism

Norway is just one of several countries that ask citizens to go on vacation to their own country. Many are struggling, also at Lofoten, confirms CEO Elisabeth Dreyer at Destination Lofoten. She believes that the crown will provide more local markets with short-term tourism for a longer period to come.

This also seems to be the case in western Norway, where they see an increase

demand from Norwegians who want to vacation in Norway


.

– The travel industry is an industry that is very vulnerable in this situation. We sell experiences. With travel bans and quarantine, it becomes difficult.

According to Dreyer, Lofoten is characterized by small-scale tourism, where there are many but small facilities scattered around Lofoten.

– We have received no comment that some plants have gone bankrupt. However, there are some facilities that say they are at the mercy of banks.

Dreyer believes that Lofoten will rise again after the crown. She believes that initiatives like the one being done now can give optimism in times of crisis.

– Seeing that someone is still pointing and going all in can contribute to optimism in the industry.