Pressmeddelande -
Unique Collaboration Between Academia and Destination Leads to University Course on Royal Djurgården
Royal Djurgården, one of Sweden’s top attractions and Scandinavia’s most visited cultural area, is launching a unique collaboration with Dalarna University. Together, they are introducing Sweden’s first university course focused on a specific destination: Royal Djurgården – The Place and the Visitor Industry. The aim is to strengthen knowledge in a sector where culture, experiences, and sustainability interact to create attractive and competitive destinations. The premise is simple—the best way to understand place and destination development is through a concrete example. And what could be better than Djurgården?
Djurgården attracts an astonishing 15 million visitors annually from around the world to its 22 museums, gardens, palaces, amusement park, music venues, and restaurants. As one of Scandinavia’s most significant destinations, Djurgården is not only a beloved getaway for Stockholmers but also a place that helps put both Stockholm and Sweden on the international map.
Tourism is one of Sweden’s fastest-growing industries but often lacks the academic foundation that other sectors have. The new 5-credit university course, launching in spring 2025, will provide deeper insights into sustainable destination development, hospitality, and the role of places in societal progress.
“The visitor industry is central to Sweden’s attractiveness and economic development, yet it often lacks academic structure. With this course, we are building a bridge between theory and practice, creating a new model for knowledge development in tourism and cultural experiences,” says Maria Thulemark, lecturer and researcher at the Center for Tourism and Leisure Research (CeTLeR) at Dalarna University.
Knowledge to Strengthen Future Destinations
The tourism and experience industry faces major challenges, with increasing demands for sustainability and competitiveness. Royal Djurgården has already established itself as one of the world’s most sustainable urban destinations, earning the Green Destinations Platinum Award again in 2024 for its work aligned with the UN’s global sustainability goals.
“Attractiveness and competitiveness are built on knowledge. We want to strengthen everyone working with Djurgården and the entire visitor industry—from cultural institutions and experience providers to those who simply have a passion for Djurgården. This collaboration highlights the industry's importance and provides crucial new tools for the future,” says Camilla Zedendahl, CEO of Kungliga Djurgårdens Intressenter.
The Course - which is given in Swedish, is Open to Everyone
Course Information
When: Spring 2025, starting April 3, part-time
Where: On-site sessions at Djurgården + digital components
Eligibility: General admission requirements, limited to 200 places
Application: Apply via antagning.se, search for Kungliga Djurgården. Applications are open now.
About Dalarna University
Dalarna University’s mission is to co-create education, research, and knowledge development both in Dalarna and globally. Through the Center for Tourism and Leisure Research (CeTLeR), the university actively develops and shares knowledge about the tourism industry at regional, national, and international levels. By combining education, research, and open dialogue with stakeholders, Dalarna University contributes to a sustainable visitor industry.
About Royal Djurgården Society/Kungliga Djurgårdens Intressenter
Royal Djurgården Society represents and unites 62 attractions within culture and tourism on the island of Djurgården in the center of the capital city of Stockholm. Together they welcome over 15 million visitors annually, making Royal Djurgården Scandinavia’s leading destination. In the coming years, the attractions forming Royal Djurgården will invest billions of kronor into this historic yet ever-evolving destination.
In 2024, Royal Djurgården reinforced its position as one of the world’s most sustainable big city destinations, when Royal Djurgården Society was awarded the Green Destinations Platinum Award for the second time. This global recognition honors work aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, GSTC criteria based on all of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Contact
📧 Maria Thulemark – mth@du.se | ☎️ +46 23 778961
📧 Camilla Zedendahl – camilla.zedendahl@royaldjurgarden.se | ☎️ +46 709 906973
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Kungl. Djurgårdens Intressenter samlar och engagerar ett 60-tal aktörer på Djurgården inom kultur- och besöksnäring. Tillsammans välkomnar Djurgården över 15 miljoner besökare. Under de närmaste åren investerar aktörerna som utgör helheten Royal Djurgården mångmiljardbelopp i denna besöksattraktion som bär en lång tradition att ständigt utvecklas. Genom Kungl. Djurgårdens Intressenter samverkar aktörerna för att hållbart utveckla Djurgården som besöksmål och stärka dess position som Skandinaviens främsta attraktion.
Genom Kungl. Djurgårdens Intressenter samarbetar: ABBA The Museum, Aira, Arturs Café, Café Monika Ahlberg, Cirkus, CoffeeCow, Djurgårdsboden, Djurgårdskyrkan/Oscars Församling, Etnografiska Museet, FLX, Fyrskeppet Biskopsudden, Gröna Lunds Tivoli, Gubbhyllan, Handarbetets Vänner, Hotel Hasselbacken, Junibacken, Kioskerna på Djurgårdsslätten, KSSS Djurgårdshamn, Krogen Stora Gungan, Liljevalchs Konsthall, Lilla Hasselbacken, Nordiska museet, Nordiska museets restaurang, Nya Djurgårdsvarvet, Oaxen Krog & Slip, OceanBus, Parkteatern Sthlm Stadsteater, Polismuseet, Pop House, Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, Rederi Ressel, Restaurang Allmänna Gränd, Restaurang Djurgårdsbron, Riksidrottsmuseet, Rosendals Slott, Rosendals Wärdshus, Sjöhistoriska museet, Skansen, Skansen-Akvariet, Skansen Restauranger, Skroten Café och Skeppshandel, Snus- och Tändsticksmuseet, Spritmuseum & Absolut Art Collection, Stiftelsen Rosendals Trädgård, Stockholms Info, Stockholms Spårvägar, Strömma Turism & Sjöfart AB, Tekniska museet, Thielska Galleriet, Vasamuseet, Vasamuseets restaurang, The Viking Museum, Villa Godthem, Villa Källhagen, Vrak - the Museum of Wrecks, Wasahamnen, Wärdshuset Ulla Winbladh.
