Company visit to Råne älvdal: "Contributing to sustainable growth"

The tourism industry is growing and thriving in the Råne älvdal. Region Norrbotten's business support strategists recently visited some of the companies to see how the investment support has been beneficial.

The Norrbotten Region annually grants investment support to companies in various industries. The tourism industry is one of the prioritized industries.

Part of the regional development department's mission is to visit the companies that have been granted support. It is important that our employees who work with business support on site see and hear what the investment support has meant for the company's development and the growth that the investment has contributed to.

Dog sledding tours

This time, a few companies in Råneå älvdal were visited. The first stop was at Yellow Snow Husky Tours in Krokträsk. It is a company run by Susanna Kouwenhoven, originally from the Netherlands. She runs a facility for dog sledding tours, with just over 30 dogs of the Alaskan Husky breed.

– The dogs there seem to be doing fantastically well. You can't help but fall in love with these fine dogs, says Anita Johansson, strategist in business support.

Palle Andersson and Linn Hällefors run Sörbyn Turism & Konferens. Photo: Anita Johansson

Afterwards, we visited Sörbyn Turism & Konferens where our employees were welcomed by Palle Andersson and Linn Hällefors. They were able to see the results of the latest investments and how they have positively developed the business. Palle told us how the business in Sörbyn started as a sports club and then developed to where they are today.

Snowmobile and sled

The last visit of the day was in Lassbyn at Aurora Safari Camp where Jonas Gejke welcomed us. He transported us out by snowmobile and sled to the camp.

The company Aurora Safaris AB, which was an early pioneer in Arctic “winter glamping”, has expanded in ten years. It now operates three lodges with a range of nature and cultural experiences: Aurora Safari Camp, The Outpost Lodge and The Floating Safari Camp. The company has been noticed by tour operators selling Arctic Sweden. Aurora Sagaris won the 2023 Grand Tourism Prize.

Jonas Gejke's Aurora Safaris now includes three facilities. Photo: Anita Johansson

– We had a fantastic day in the area. As usual, it is very enjoyable to see how our investment support really makes a difference and contributes to sustainable growth, says Anita Johansson.

From the Norrbotten Region, Elisabeth Johansson Englund, Tobias Kahn, Per-Anders Karlsson and Anita Johansson participated.

Curious about our business support? Read more here!