Vasaloppet won the Grand Tourism Award 2021

Vasaloppet has been named this year's winner of the Grand Tourism Award in Sweden. Johan Eriksson, CEO of Vasaloppet, was awarded the prize of 100,000 SEK on November 24th in Stockholm by the Foundation for the promotion of knowledge within tourism together with the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth. Vasaloppet's happy and visibly moved CEO said: "We're a whole town that have worked hard for this."

The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth acts as the principal for the Foundation for the promotion of knowledge within tourism, which awards the tourism award Stora Turismpriset ("Grand Tourism Award"), and works to spread knowledge throughout the tourism industry. The 21 candidates are nominated by their respective counties; Visit Dalarna does the nomination for Dalarna's candidate. The award was given out in connection with the conference "Besöksnäringen på agendan". Vasaloppet won in competition with destinations that are well known both nationally and internationally, such as Gröna Lund in Stockholm, Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi and the Medieval Week in Visby.

"This means even more in a year like this. We're looking back at what was probably the toughest year for the whole industry. At the same time it's been a very educational period and we've developed as an organisation. 100-year-old Vasaloppet has been living like a startup! It means a lot to be recognized in this way. We're an engine for exercise and public health and also for regional and national development," said Johan Eriksson, Vasaloppet CEO, when accepting the award.

Johan Eriksson (photo above) was visibly moved by the recognition which, besides the honour, carries a prize of 100,000 SEK.
"We're a whole town that have worked hard for this. Now that Vasaloppet has completed its first hundred years, we're setting our sights on the next hundred. It's a great privilege to work with this and it means a lot to the community and region."

Motivation for the winner of Stora Turismpriset 2021:
"As an engine for exercise and health in Sweden, Vasaloppet inspires people to get moving all year round. Vasaloppet is a role model that has used great creativity to develop new products and reached new target groups to continue making Dalarna an attractive region to visit. Their constant focus on sustainability creates strong long-term results that benefit sports clubs as well as the tourism and hospitality industry."

"All nominees have innovation and a focus on sustainability in common. During the pandemic, they have emerged from the crisis by betting big instead of slowing down. Vasaloppet is an excellent example of an organization that has creatively developed its activities and reached more target groups," says Lars Christensen, chairman of the Foundation for the promotion of knowledge within tourism.

About Stora Turismpriset
For the 28th year in a row, the Swedish tourism prize is awarded to an organisation that has, in a new and innovative way, contributed to the development of the tourism industry. Every county nominates candidates that proceed to compete for the national award.

Criteria for the grand tourism award states that the nominees must:
- contribute to new and innovative development in the tourism industry
- develop, spread and share knowledge to strengthen the tourism industry
- methodically and purposefully develop a sustainable business
- have managed to restructure their approach during their pandemic

The Stora Turismpriset 2021 nominees
Icehotel, Norrbotten, Västerbotten Experience, Västerbotten, Hotell Klövsjöfjäll, Jämtland Härjedalen, Bröderna Bommen, Västernorrland, Trolska Skogen, Gävleborg, Vasaloppet, Dalarna, Kraftstationen i Deje, Värmland, Krogen som inte finns, Örebro, Aktivt Uteliv Björnögården, Västmanland, Gamla Uppsala Museum, Uppsala län, Gröna Lund, Stockholm, Slussens pensionat, Västra Götaland, Bergs gård in Trosa, Södermanland, Vadstena Klosterhotel, Östergötland, Medeltidsveckan, Gotland, Wallby Säteri, Jönköping, Ästad Vingård, Halland, Kosta Safaripark, Kronoberg, Stufvenäs Gästgifveri, Kalmar, Hotell Mossbylund, Skåne, Mörrums Kronolaxfiske, Blekinge.

Watch a video with all the nominees (in Swedish)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACsmlFaseVE

Sources: Visit Dalarna and the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth.

Image source: The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/tillvaextverket/images/vinnare-av-stora-turismpriset-2021-punkt-jpg-2372731

VISIT DALARNA IN ENGLISH >
https://www.visitdalarna.se/en

SWEDISH AGENCY OF ECONOMIC AND REGIONAL GROWTH, IN ENGLISH >
https://tillvaxtverket.se/english.html

Upcoming events in the Vasaloppet Arena during the Anniversary Year 2022 – Vasaloppet 100 years

Anniversary race 2022
Saturday, February 12 Jubileumsvasan 90 km, start Sälen (full)

Vasaloppet's Winter Week 2022 (registration open)
• Friday, February 25 Vasaloppet 30 30 km, start Oxberg
• Saturday, February 26 Tjejvasan 30 km, start Oxberg
• Sunday, February 27 Ungdomsvasan 9 km start Eldris, 19 km start Hökberg
• Sunday, February 27 Öppet Spår Sunday 90 km, start Sälen
• Monday, February 28 Öppet Spår Monday 90 km, freestyle, start Sälen
• Tuesday, March 1 Vasaloppet 45 45 km, start Oxberg
• Friday, March 4 Stafettvasan 90 km, five-person teams, start Sälen
• Friday, March 4 Nattvasan 90 90 km, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Sälen
• Friday, March 4 Nattvasan 45 45 km, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Sälen
• Friday, March 4 Nattvasan 30 30 km, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Sälen
• Saturday, March 5 Vasaloppet 10 9,2 km, start Eldris
• Sunday, March 6 Vasaloppet 90 km, start Sälen (fully booked)

Vasaloppet's Summer Week 2022 (registration opens September 26, 2021)
• Friday, August 12 Cykelvasan Öppet Spår 94 km, start Sälen
• Friday, August 12 Cykelvasasprinten 1 km, Lindvallen, Sälen
• Saturday, August 13 Cykelvasan 90 94 km, start Sälen
• Sunday, August 14 Cykelvasan 45 45 km, start Oxberg
• Sunday, August 14 Cykelvasan 30 32 km, start Oxberg
• Sunday, August 14 Ungdomscykelvasan 32 km, start Oxberg
• Friday, August 19 Trailvasan 10 10 km, start Mora
• Saturday, August 20 Ultravasan 90 90 km, start Sälen
• Saturday, August 20 Ultravasan 45 45 km, start Oxberg
• Saturday, August 20 Trailvasan 30 30 km, start Oxberg
• Saturday, August 20 Vasastafetten 90 km, running relay for ten-person teams, start Sälen
• Saturday, August 20 Vasakvartetten 90 km, running relay for four-person teams, start Sälen

Vasaloppstrippeln – ski, bike and run all in one year
Vasaloppstrippeln is a challenge where you complete three races – skiing, cycling and running – during one calendar year. Choose between 90, 45 and 30 kilometres. READ MORE>

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High-resolution photos from Vasaloppet
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/vasaloppet/latest_media

Text and photos may be freely published.

For more information
Camilla Sandy, Vasaloppet Press Manager
+46 (0)70-384 95 00
camilla.sandy@vasaloppet.se

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