Page Sec1:8 - Labyrint 2013 - English Edition

an aurora takes place.
“Regardless of the season and the weather
conditions, we always have a northern
lights guarantee at the museum,” says
Nylund.
“I used to say that you can’t take it home
with you in a sack, but you are welcome
to take a photo of yourself as you actually
make your own miniature aurora,” he
added.
An intoxicating experience
Victoria Bakken, general manager of
Visit Tromsø, agrees that visitors can’t be
guaranteed that they will see the aurora,
but adds that the most skilled guides in
Tromsø have a ‘hit-rate’ of 75 per cent.
“We recommend that visitors take the
time to be here for four or five days and
that they go on a guided tour. It’s easy to
find something that’s suitable for every-
one. Visitors can take a reindeer sled tour,
a horse tour, a midnight cruise, spend a
night in a Sami tent or take a photo tour,”
she says.
Bakken says that Visit Tromsø experienced
a doubling of bookings for aurora-related
activities last season and has no doubts
there will be even more in 2013.
“Usually we say that the aurora season
begins on 1 November, but in 2012 we had
already had tours in September,” she said,
adding that the tourist office expects 6000-
7000 bookings for aurora-related activities
this season. Roughly 90 aurora-related
activities daily can be booked through the
tourist agency.
“People talk online about the aurora in
Tromsø, especially on Trip Advisor,”
­Bakken adds.
“I get a Google Alert (online notification)
every time someone mentions Tromsø and
8 ••• Labyrint E/13 – University of Tromsø
Peak year for northern lights
To see the northern lights is a dream for many travelers.
Thanks to the northern lights, the winter has turned into
a high season for tourism. Photo: Thilo Bubek.