A study of festivals in Møre and Romsdal and their cooperation with the tourism industry in the region.

Abstract

Festivals represents exciting experiences for us as human beings and have also become important tourist attractions. Aspects that should motivate good cooperaton between these two sectors as tourism provide festivals with audiences and festivals could increase the attractiveness for destinations in a tourism context, which could benefit both parties. In order to investigate the nature of cooperation between festivals and the tourism industry in Møre and Romsdal, Norway, a survey among all known festivals was conducted. Thirty-six festivals answered the survey and gave me valuable knowledge about the festivals as well as insight regarding cooperation between festivals and the tourism industry. An interview with two employees from a Destination Management Organisation as a representative of the tourism sector was conducted with the aim of getting information from that sector. Participant observation were performed, which have given me vauable insight in how to plan and run a festival. As an answer to my research question, that is: "What is the nature of cooperation between festivals and the tourism industry in Møre and Romsdal", I can say that it is not optimal. Cooperation might be improved with just some simple activities, activities that can take cooperation in the right direction. This theses contributes in knowledge not only regarding cooperation between festivals and the tourism industry, but also information concerning festivals in the county.