As leading actors in land and sea transport, the companies will take a central position within tourism in Norway. The aim of the travel company is to provide eco-friendly travel packages throughout Norway, develop new tourist destinations and contribute to holistic tourism.

-The goal is to establish a strong sales and marketing portal that will promote Norway as an eco-friendly tourism destination, also internationally, says Dagfinn Neteland, CEO in Fjord1.

The NSB Group and Fjord1 have signed a letter of intent to establish a new tourism company, which the two companies will own 50 percent each. The travel company itself and through partners will develop and gather travel and tourism offers throughout Norway and offer environmentally friendly tours that seamlessly combine transport with accommodation, activities and other experiences.

The company will contribute to local destination development throughout Norway and invest in new concepts on its own and in cooperation with local actors. The effort will also create value and jobs locally.

New destinations and full-year tourism

-The tourists who come to Norway often follow a familiar tourist route. This makes it quite difficult in some places. At the same time there are many tourist pearls that do not get as many visitors. We wish together with local actors to develop new sustainable destinations and tourism activities throughout the year. An example is Romsdalen with Åndalsnes and Raumabanen, says Synne Homble, Executive Vice President for Mobility and Tourism in the
NSB Group.

The joint tourism company will contribute to more full-year tourism.

- Norway gets the most visitors in the summer. But there is something magical with each season. We will make package tours that tempt tourists all year long, says Dagfinn Neteland in Fjord1.

More environmentally friendly tourism

The NSB Group consists of both NSB passenger train, and buses, and offers public transport across large parts of Norway. NSB owns 50 percent of Flåm Development, which operates the Flåmsbana tourism business. Fjord1 is Norway's largest ferry company and owns 50 percent of The Fjords, with the hybrid ship Vision of the Fjords and the full-electric Future of the Fjords.

- Fjord1's boats are a global showcase for future zero-shipping transport at sea. The combination of environmentally friendly boats and regular buses and trains provides tourists who visit us a sustainable alternative, says Synne Homble.

Destinations throughout Norway

NSB and Fjord1 are currently collaborating on package tours like "Norway in a nutshell", which is sold through FjordTours AS.

-Tours like "Norway in a nutshell" make it easy for tourists to experience Norwegian highlights based on public transport. We want to continue environmentally friendly tours throughout Norway, says Dagfinn Neteland.

Fjord1 and NSB together own 74 per cent of the shares in FjordTours AS.

-FjordTours is an important success that we will continue to develop. The new tourism company will continue to sell package tours through FjordTours. FjordTours is launching a new digital solution that makes it even easier to book trips to Norway. Digital development is central to strengthening Norway as a tourist destination, concludes Synne Homble.

NSB and Fjord1 aim to establish the company around March 1., 2019.