(SEATTLE) – OCTOBER 14, 2009 – Kristian B. Jørgensen, Managing Director of the Fjord Norway Tourist Board, today was named to the Adventure Travel Trade Association Advisory Board.
As Managing Director of Fjord Norway, Jørgensen oversees a region that is found in the Western part of Norway and stretches from Stavanger in the south to Ålesund in the north. Fjord Norway is a region that was rated by National Geographic Traveler’s panel of specialists as the world's most attractive, unspoiled and best cared for UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“Kristian brings a pragmatic yet progressive viewpoint to the ATTA and his interest and vision for Norway and adventure travel is right in line with how the ATTA views the importance of the sector,” said ATTA President Shannon Stowell.
Jørgensen also brings exceptional destination marketing expertise, innovative sustainable tourism sensibilities and important European perspectives to the ATTA, a global trade association representing members from 56 countries. Jørgensen, veteran traveler having visited more than 80 countries and who speaks five languages, leads the Fjord Norway Tourist Board, an organization which has been nominated the best destination marketing company in Europe and has seen a 25 percent growth of tourism in the last four years.
Before working with Fjord Norway, Jørgensen was responsible for marketing Norway to international customers since 1992. For three years, he worked in the Norwegian Tourist Board putting together large international marketing campaigns; from 1997 to 2000 he was director of marketing for the organization that planned and carried out the European Capital of Culture Year 2000 in Bergen; and, for three years he was chief executive officer for the Historic Hotels and Restaurants of Norway. In addition, he served as vice president for the Historic Hotels of Europe, a hotel group organization consisting of 1,500 of the most unique hotels in Europe.
Other adventure travel industry experts committed to support the ATTA and its efforts to grow and sustain the adventure travel industry include the following Advisory Board Members:
- Richard Bangs, adventurer, entrepreneur, author, producer and director – “Richard Bangs’ Adventures with Purpose”
- Eric Brodnax, Vice President, Orbitz Worldwide – General Manager, Away.com & Outside Online
- Jeff Dossett, Chief Executive Officer, AdventureLink, Inc
- Urs Eberhard, Executive VP Markets & MICE Switzerland Tourism
- Francis X. Farrell, former publisher, Men’s Journal and National Geographic magazines
- Nicky Fitzgerald, Sales & Marketing Director, &Beyond
- Kurt Kutay, Founding Director and President of Wildland Adventures, Inc. and non-profit Travelers Conservation Trust
- Perry Lungmus, Director of Sales and Maketing, Travcoa
- Thornton May, Contributing Futurist, World Bank
- Helen Nodland, Founder Nodland Travel Enterprises, Chair of VAST, Virtuoso Travel Network
- Everett Potter, Author and Journalist, Contributing Editor, New York Times Syndicate, USA Today, Outside and others
- Gustavo Timo, Founder ABETA (Brazil Ecotourism and Adventure Association)
- Russell Walters, President, Northern Outdoors