Pre-study sustainable hotel operations

The project is a feasibility study that will investigate the conditions for a sustainable hotel operation on Ingmarsö or other islands in the Stockholm archipelago. A year-round hotel operation would increase the conditions for permanent housing, businesses, and the tourism industry. The establishment of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail (SAT) has contributed to new target groups of international guests and middle-class hikers seeking out the archipelago. SAT is a hiking trail that spans over 20 islands from Arholma in the north to Landsort in the south. At the same time, Region Stockholm has a goal to extend the tourism season in the archipelago by one month by 2030.

To attract, among other things, the above target group that loves nature, is willing to pay for tailored nature experiences while also demanding quality accommodation, more sustainable accommodation alternatives are required.

But there are challenges. The land is often privately owned and relatively expensive. The peak season in the archipelago for the tourism industry is extremely short, about 7-8 weeks. Financing is not obvious in how it should be done. A feasibility study is needed that addresses challenges and makes decisions on how design, financing, and service levels should look for the operation to be sustainable.

The project's goal is to find out what is required to enable a sustainable hotel construction in the archipelago, regarding size, design, financing, and land ownership.

Through a strategic and methodical approach, the study will formulate the future accommodation for visitors in the archipelago – accommodation that can contribute to an extended season, strengthened tourism, and services that work year-round.

The project is awaiting a final decision from the Swedish Board of Agriculture.