💡 Building a Concept from Scratch (When You Put Social and Environmental Concerns First)
All the companies I’ve started or worked with have had a purpose bigger than profit.
That doesn’t make things easier – but without it, there’s no point in starting. Meaning and drive are what make it worth doing.
It began when I got a job as a student at AidCom, a small startup that emerged after the lack of a proper warning system for travellers during major disasters. I was allowed to become a co-founder
Then came Norwegian Goosebumps, my first adventure travel company. Making great exeperiences in the area I grew up.
Later I founded Nanook and Travelopment, both created to give small tourism operators more control and visibility in the market. Built to create meaningful experiences and connect local hosts with travellers. We helped thousands with travelopment and worked with people from 150+ countries. Online courses, mentoring and consulting. Through Travelopment and Nanook, I’ve helped others do the same, developing everything from adventure concepts to national projects and learning platforms.
Transparency grew out of volunteer work and activism, focusing on openness and sustainability in tourism. It is progressing fast atm.
And Re-Treats explores how simple design and circular thinking can make it possible to offer world-class experiences with minimal impact. Back to the real stuff. It is a show don’t tell concept.
Travel Innovation – From Idea to Market
How do you take an idea in travel and turn it into something that actually works?
After helping hundreds of tourism companies and building several of my own platforms, I’ve learned that innovation in travel isn’t about tools or trends. It’s about people, persistence, and knowing where to start.
In this keynote, I share frameworks and lessons from years of building adventure companies, hospitality concepts, and learning platforms – all with social and environmental purpose at their core.
Key themes
Innovation and entrepreneurship in tourism
From getting started to scalable concept
Balancing creativity, market, and sustainability
How to build something real