When did you last get an unconventional idea? Unconventional ideas come in unconventional places. When it comes to meetings, incentives, conferences and events, the Faroe Islands have a unique combination of modernity and originality. They are far from ordinary, but closer than you think.
If you aren’t familiar with the Faroe Islands, don’t worry – you are not the only one. The Faroe Islands are an archipelago of 18 tiny islands in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, situated between Iceland and Norway.
Just a few years ago, National Geographic elected the Faroe Islands the world’s most attractive islands to visit, and last year the Lonely Planet Guide listed the Faroe Islands as one of the world’s best travel destinations. However, in spite of these prestigious titles, the Faroe Islands remain one of the world’s least explored destinations.
The power of nature
A lot of people are overwhelmed when they come to the Faroe Islands. Your brain will be stimulated by the richness of nature and the experience of being surrounded by it. Openness and creativity are qualities that are triggered by beautiful surroundings – unconventional ideas come naturally in the Faroe Islands.
Unforgettable experiences
“To outperform in business you sometimes need to do things differently. It was with this mindset that we decided that the location for our recent management meeting should be somewhere off the beaten track and yet not too inaccessible. Our choice fell on the remote and very understated Faroe Islands whose unspoiled and raw-natured environment, coupled with its spectacular wildlife, quite simply offered an unforgettable experience.”
Ashley Heppenstall, President and CEO of Lundin Petroleum AB
The Faroe Islands have unique scenery – a combination of hard rocks, velvety green grass and dramatic waterfalls. A stunning picture painted in green and blue colours, where your eyes can stretch from the top of a mountain and over the endless surrounding ocean all at once. No matter where you go in the Faroe Islands, you will never find yourself far from the sea.
As a business traveller you can eat the same food, drink the same coffee, and buy the same brands in the same stores all over the world. But as many destinations become more alike, the contrast with the Faroe Islands becomes even greater. There is no pre-determined route, no fence to stand behind and no plastic signs telling you what to see and do. Absorbing the natural world in the Faroe Islands encourages valuable introspection.
You can find yourself in five-star conference facilities right next to the world’s best, 60-million-year-old theme park – Mother Nature. But this destination has none of the artifice of a normal theme park. Instead, invite your team into a world of natural beauty and stunning landscapes.
Two hours in the air
Getting to the Faroe Islands is easy. Despite the seemingly remote location, they are much closer than you might think. The national airline Atlantic Airways operates from the UK, Iceland, Norway and Denmark to the Faroese airport Vágar. There are several daily flights from Copenhagen.
If you are travelling from central Europe you’ll spend no more than three hours in the air, and you will land in a completely different world. If you fly in from Copenhagen or from London, it only takes two hours.
The Faroe Islands may be close in distance but are far removed from everyday life. Far from stressful obligations. Far from traffic jams and crowds. Far from normality and everyday routines. If you find yourself next to another tourist it is likely to be your own travel companion. In fact, the Faroe Islands have even fewer tourists than the Galapagos Islands –you are likely to return from the Faroe Islands with untold stories.
Island culture
The Faroe Islands are remote and isolated, and the ocean has served as a great defence against dilution of the islands’ original culture. There are many wonderful examples of this for business travellers to discover. Learn about the national costume – worn at weddings, events and at the annual Ólavsøka festival. Or search out the designer shops that sell products rooted in traditional Faroese knitting – many have also won international recognition. The language of the Faroe Islands is rooted in the Nordic languages, but is unique.
Treat yourself and your team to a taste of New Nordic Cuisine. Based on local produce and ancient techniques, such as fermented food, this revitalised culinary trend will allow you to eat like locals and discover the Islands’ best ingredients. Incentives trips can also include musical performances in deep, forest grottos, or adventurous activities in the midst of the archipelago’s natural beauty.
The Faroe Islands also have a range of five-star conference facilities and a wide variety of places to stay. You can stay in the world’s smallest capital, Tórshavn, which offers a selection of hotels, ranging from four-star to mid-range and budget accommodation.
Whatever the purpose of your visit, expect to feel welcomed and involved with the island culture. It is often said that the Faroe Islands have no tourists – only guests. People are welcoming and open and nature invites everyone to participate. The nature is not just something you look at, it’s a place for being – for hiking, painting, angling, diving, sailing and absorbing.
