Winners of the Arctic Sweden Tourism Award 2025

This year’s winners are Silvermuseet, Övertorneå Municipality, Johan and Eva Stenevad at Lapland Guesthouse, and Anna-Lena Kaati at Kaatis Reindeer and Moose. The Arctic Sweden Tourism Award recognizes and highlights some of the brightest stars in the hospitality sector. The aim is to showcase efforts that inspire and help strengthen both the appeal and competitiveness of Sweden’s Arctic destinations.

“We are privileged to live in such an amazing place. Of course, we want to welcome others to share our Arctic everyday life, and for that to be possible, the criteria for the four awards in the Arctic Sweden Tourism Award must be met. We need innovators, enablers, representatives of the Arctic Spirit, and not least newcomers who dare to invest in the hospitality sector,” says Peter Engström, Chair of the Board of Arctic Sweden Visitors Board.

The Arctic Sweden Tourism Award is presented in four categories. Each award has different criteria, and winners are nominated through an open process. The jury, which has the tough job of selecting the winners, consists of the board of Arctic Sweden Visitors Board—except in the Newcomer category, where the staff at Arctic Sweden Visitors Board both nominate and vote for the winner.

The winners of the Arctic Sweden Tourism Award 2025 are:

Innovation of the Year – Silvermuseet

Criteria: A forward-thinking tourism experience with commercial impact that contributes renewal and sustainable added value locally and globally, today and for future generations, and puts Sweden’s Arctic destinations on the international map.

Jury statement: Silvermuseet rethinks what a museum can be—not just a place for passive viewing, but an active force for Norrbotten’s future. The organization is an innovative engine for development, where cultural heritage is the key to tomorrow’s visitor destinations. Through its generous hospitality, the museum shares knowledge, methods, and processes that attract and engage broadly with the voices of the Arctic landscape—past, present, and future. Through collaboration, innovation, and responsibility, Silvermuseet shows how overlooked lives and ways of living in the Arctic cultural landscape can make a major impact—both locally and nationally.

Read an interview with Malin Brännström, researcher and Director of Silvermuseet, here.

Enabler of the Year – Övertorneå Municipality

Criteria: A responsible and committed initiative that has enabled the realization of the hospirality sector’s ambitions and its potential to do business from global demand for the destination’s offering of Arctic experiences.

Jury statement: With courage and ambition, Övertorneå Municipality has changed course toward becoming an internationally and nationally visible and attractive destination. The municipality has created entirely new conditions where private and municipal investments work together for a growing, sustainable hospitality sector. This new strategic direction has enabled new establishments that put Övertorneå, Tornedalen, and all of Arctic Sweden on the map. In addition, new business opportunities are being created for the visitor economy, along with many added values for both residents and visitors.

Read an interview with Tomas Mörtberg, Municipal Commissioner, here.

Arctic Spirit of the Year – Johan & Eva Stenevad, Lapland Guesthouse

Criteria: An inspirer who, through responsible and genuine hospitality, spreads knowledge about our unique Arctic nature and culture and brings to life the brand promise of sharing our Arctic everyday life.

Jury statement: With a long-term and deliberate approach, the Stenevad family has further developed their guesthouse in beautiful Kangos in a responsible and regenerative direction, with great respect for the place’s potential and limitations. With a keen sense of international guests’ needs and demand, and with feet firmly rooted in local culture, nature, and the Arctic way of life, genuine and personal hospitality has gone hand in hand with equally genuine, personally crafted activities; individually decorated, traditional, hand-built log buildings; homegrown produce from their own kitchen garden; and locally produced food from local producers—bringing the authentic, inclusive values of Arctic everyday life to life and turning them into unforgettable memories.

Read an interview with Johan Stenevad here.

Newcomer of the Year – Anna-Lena Kaati, Kaatis Reindeer & Moose

Criteria: This award is presented to a newly established company (0–3 years) in the hospitality sector.

Jury statement: Kaatis Reindeer and Moose, Överkalix, is an inspiring addition to Norrbotten’s hospitality sector. With the reindeer and moose at the center, they offer authentic Sami cultural and nature experiences year-round. Through personal hospitality, deep knowledge of the place, and respect for traditions based on regenerative thinking, meaningful and memorable experiences are created, where guests are also given the opportunity to donate to the animals’ feeding. The business attracts both Swedish and international guests and strengthens the region’s appeal.

Read an interview with Anna-Lena Kaati here.

More about the award and previous winners:

https://arcticswedenvisitorsboard.com/om-oss/arctic-sweden-tourism-award/