People with disabilities have the same desire as everyone else: to travel, explore, and create lasting memories. After illness or injury, quality of life and participation become even more important, yet many face barriers. Through Adapt2Explore, the Sunnaas Foundation seeks to break down these barriers and contribute to a more inclusive society.

Approach and Results

Adapt2Explore is built on a twofold strategy:

Inclusion and Quality of Life – Making travel and experiences accessible for people with disabilities, ensuring equal participation for all. This strengthens quality of life, social inclusion, and work potential.

Economic Growth and Social Responsibility – Accessible tourism increases revenues and market potential, giving Norway a unique opportunity to lead the way in inclusive tourism.

A 2023 study by Menon Economics shows that improved accessibility in Northern Norway could increase overnight stays by more than 10% – equal to 285,000 guest nights and nearly NOK 230 million in additional revenue. In many cases, accessibility can be achieved through small, practical adjustments that don’t necessarily require extensive universal design, but rather increased awareness, better information, attitude shifts, and simple adaptations.

Highlights from Three Years in the North

The Sunnaas Foundation has produced a film summarizing the experiences from the Adapt2Explore project in Northern Norway. The film highlights the many dimensions of Adapt2Explore and how accessibility positively impacts both participation and industry growth.
You can also find the film on the Sunnaas Foundation’s YouTube channel.

10 concrete recommendations

In addition, the foundation has developed a guide to help tourism businesses better understand and meet the needs of people with disabilities. The guide addresses definitions of inclusive tourism, common misconceptions, barriers, and commercial opportunities. The aim is to show that small steps can make a big difference, opening new markets and creating loyal customers for the industry.

Based on the project’s experiences, the foundation has also created 10 concrete recommendations for making travel and tourism in Norway more inclusive. These cover everything from accessibility guides on websites, universal design in infrastructure, staff training, to measures for guests with visual and hearing impairments.

What’s next?

With a strong foundation built through collaboration with people with disabilities, municipalities, the specialist health service, educational institutions, and the tourism industry, the Sunnaas Foundation is ready to expand the project nationally. The goal is lasting change in the Norwegian travel sector, with a vision where accessibility is not the exception – but the norm.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Adapt2Explore is part of the Sunnaas Foundation’s sustainability strategy and supports several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• #3 Good Health and Well-being – Accessibility improves quality of life, participation, and empowerment for people with disabilities.

• #8 Decent Work and Economic Growth – Inclusive tourism increases market potential and creates more overnight stays.

• #9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The project builds a more inclusive tourism infrastructure through innovation and collaboration across healthcare, outdoor recreation, and tourism. Adapt2Explore develops and tests practical solutions that improve travel experiences for people with disabilities, contributing to a more sustainable and accessible tourism sector in Norway.

• #10 Reduced Inequalities – Adapt2Explore promotes inclusion and equal opportunities for participation in tourism.

• #11 Sustainable Cities and Communities – By adapting tourism, society as a whole becomes more accessible and inclusive.

• #17 Partnerships for the Goals – Adapt2Explore is built on collaboration between the Sunnaas Foundation, tourism operators, user organizations, and public agencies. These partnerships strengthen knowledge sharing and innovation, supporting sustainable development in tourism.

A Special Thanks to Our Supporters

Adapt2Explore in Northern Norway has been made possible with support from Arktis 2030 through Troms and Finnmark County Councils, Sparebank1 Nord-Norge – Samfunnsløftet, and Bufdir.

The Sunnaas Foundation now looks forward to sharing knowledge from the north with the rest of the country, and to building a future where everyone can participate in tourism on equal terms.

“I am proud that Adapt2Explore, through dialogue, collaboration, and fieldwork, has helped put inclusive tourism on the map in Norway.”
— Heidi Kjærnes, Project Manager, Adapt2Explore

Contact information: heidi@sunnaasstiftelsen.no