Group NAO is leading Nordic Innovation’s new, ambitious X-Nordic Travel Contest. Together with Happy42 and Design Nation, Group NAO will work with partners, innovation- and startup ecosystems, the tourism industry, universities and other interest holders across the Nordics to pinpoint the biggest challenges and opportunities ahead. Group NAO will lead this project through an innovation process of four phases to arrive at sustainable, relevant, and industry-ready solutions for Nordic tourism and beyond.

The Time for DMOcracy project was conceptualized, initiated, and launched by Group NAO in Dec 2021, in search of new, more inclusive, and participatory approaches in the governance and development of tourism. With a collaborative approach, the project explores different ways of citizen engagement in destination governance and the role of DMOs as part of that.  

The first edition of DMOcracy was concluded in January 2023 with the publication of a white paper….

In the summer of 2022, Group Nao was commissioned by Sukkerfabrikken A/S and Erhvervshus Sjælland to conduct an in-depth go-to-market strategy and brand positioning for the grand old post-industrial estate, The Sugar Factory, soon to be developed to a unique holiday village and resort on the Island of Møn (DK). The analysis is designed to answer 3 guiding questions:…

The 2023 City Destination Alliance (CityDNA) International Conference & General Assembly in Sofia (April 19-22) brings out the elephant in the room in the tourism industry:  What can destinations do to deliver better visitor experiences if the destination is out of hand(s)? Is growth becoming the mammoth of tourism – and is the idea of quality tourism the white elephant of destination management? How sustainable can a meeting be if you have to fly to get there?…

In the summer of 2021, the municipality of Halsnæs (Knud Rasmussen’s hometown) commissioned Group NAO to carry out a full scope feasibility study and proof of concept for the envisioned museum. The focus of the assignment was 1) to assess and test the core narratives and public relevance of the museum, 2) analyse the socio-economic potential for the local community and Danish region around it, if realized, and finally 3) to produce a risk analysis for potential investors.

What should the future of tourism to Banff National Park look like? As part of the Tourism Together process, we are working with community and stakeholders of Banff National Park Canada, to unfold a sustainable future of tourism to the iconic destination in the Canadian Rockies…

After several years of separation, the member destinations of City Destinations Alliance (then: European Cities Marketing) re-united in Hamburg for the #ReUnitedDestinations Conference.

The big question of the 2-day conference: How can tourism be part of fixing the BIG problems of the world? The conference welcomed…

In late 2020, Group NAO was commissioned to contribute to the development of a shared framework of understanding around existing efforts to address sustainability within the Nordic tourism landscape.

As part of facilitating discussions to reach a shared framework, Group NAO organised one workshop for project partners to outline a shared definition framework for sustainable tourism in the Nordics and 2 workshops, where experts on sustainable tourism from all over the Nordics were invited to join and…

Copenhagen’s old power plant, Svanemølleværket will soon be taken out of service. Future owner, Copenhagen City and Port Development Company (By & Havn), plans for a new era for the iconic building and together with the Danish Museum of Science and Technology and the Danish Industry Foundation, they commissioned Group NAO to help test and qualify the vision of transforming the plant into a powerhouse for green tech innovation …

In 2020, as the COVID Pandemic put global travel and tourism to a halt, some destinations made use of the time “home alone” to engage in deeper conversations around tourism, the return of tourism and how to ‘build back better’ and ensure a future visitor economy designed to create more and different value for city and community beyond…

In the midst of pandemic crisis, South Coast Denmark / VisitSydsjælland Møn reached out to Group NAO to support them in finalizing their new destination strategy. The strategy title and vision “Turismekollektivet” (in Danish) plays on the collective ownership and responsibility …

Working closely together with forward-thinking destination and sustainability leader Göteborg & Co,  Group NAO is proud to have played a central part in the conceptualisation, development, curation and launch of 101sustainableideas.com – a platform to explore global ideas and examples of how we can create more regenerative and sustainable tourism…

Portview Trade Centre in Belfast was formerly a big linen mill, but now home to a wide range of exciting and diverse businesses in East Belfast. Under the lead of Urban Scale Interventions, Group NAO is part of the consultancy team…

NATURNAT (A Night in Nature) is the ambition to create a world class architectural accommodation experience in the wetlands of Denmark. NATURNAT is a pre-study on the potential of alternative tiny house accommodation…

What roles can tourism taxes play in rebuilding a more sustainable visitor economy? In 2020, Group NAO initiated a pioneering multi-client study mapping tourism tax policies, systems and practices in more than 30 European countries. Based on extensive research, surveying and consultations, the study presents…

As COVID19 put global tourism of any and all kinds to a full stop, European Cities Marketing (ECM) – the member organisation of European city Destination Marketing and Management Organisations – launched a new communication series entitled A New Tomorrow with Group NAO…

Domestic tourism in New Zealand has typically been the “neglected cousin of international tourism” in terms of both official policy and research. In 2019, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment funded an in-depth study…

Entrepreneurs and startups bring good ideas and fresh perspective to the tourism sector and industry, but often struggle to get an overview and understanding of where and through who to best approach the sector…