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Nynorsk absent from Visit Norway marketing, group says

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Key Points
  • Noregs Mållag says Nynorsk is absent from Visit Norway's marketing.
  • Visit Norway's website offers nine languages but not Nynorsk.
  • Innovasjon Norge says it targets international audiences, so English is primary.

According to Noregs Mållag, Visit Norway's marketing for Western Norway uses images of apple blossoms, waterfalls, mountain hikes, and fjords, typically taken in sunshine, which does not reflect everyday life in the region. The group also notes that Visit Norway's website offers information in nine languages, including 'Norwegian' which is actually Bokmål, but not Nynorsk.

In 2022, Noregs Mållag's national meeting demanded more Nynorsk on Visit Norway's website, but according to the group's leader, Peder Lofnes Hauge, little or nothing has happened since. Innovasjon Norge, which operates Visit Norway, explains the lack of Nynorsk by stating they primarily target an international audience. According to NRK Vestland, Aase Marthe Horrigmo, director for tourism at Innovasjon Norge, described their mandate from the state as marketing to international travelers, so English is the main language in advertising campaigns.

To the extent that this is about reaching an international audience, one should also have Nynorsk as a supplement to the necessary English.

Peder Lofnes Hauge, Leader of Noregs Mållag

According to NRK Vestland, Hauge argued that more Nynorsk is needed everywhere, and if forced to choose between Nynorsk and Bokmål, one should choose Nynorsk. Horrigmo stated that Innovasjon Norge will investigate the possibility of including more Nynorsk in their marketing. She also noted that since they have created much travel information, it is important that it also exists in Norwegian so that Norwegians can orient themselves about where to travel.

I think it's a shame. One must have enough linguistic confidence to use the local language.

Peder Lofnes Hauge, Leader of Noregs Mållag

We have a mandate from the state to market to international travelers. Therefore, English is the main language in advertising campaigns.

Aase Marthe Horrigmo, Director for tourism at Innovasjon Norge

More Nynorsk is needed everywhere. Norwegians see and encounter too much Bokmål in everyday life. If one must choose between Nynorsk and Bokmål, it is obvious that one should choose Nynorsk.

Peder Lofnes Hauge, Leader of Noregs Mållag

When we have created so much nice travel information, it is important that this also exists in Norwegian, so that Norwegians can orient themselves about where they want to travel.

Aase Marthe Horrigmo, Director for tourism at Innovasjon Norge

It is natural that we now talk with the destinations that are in Nynorsk areas to better facilitate Nynorsk descriptions of them.

Aase Marthe Horrigmo, Director for tourism at Innovasjon Norge
Corroborated
NRK Vestland
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