Visitors Survey 2015 Black and White Paper Š
Black and White Paper – hvat er gott og hvat kann gerast betri?
• • •
•
Hetta skjalið er grundað á frágreiðingarnar frá ferðafólkunum í samband við samrøður, sum Gallup Føroyar hevur staðið fyri á summri 2014 og 2015. Úttalilsini eru meiningar hjá ferðafólkunum um, hvat er gott í Føroyum og hvat riggar væl. Tey siga eisini frá, hvat tey halda, at Føroyar sum ferðamannaland kann gera betri fyri at verða meira professionel í mun til tænastur og útboð í framtíðini.
Ferðavinnan í Føroyum hevur vind í seglunum og hevur longu gjørt nógvar betringar. Tað er okkara vón, at tit, sum starvast innan ferðavinnuna og á øðrum týðandi økjum so sum samferðslu taka væl ímóti hesum afturmeldingunum frá ferðafólkunum, og gera tær betringar, sum eru møguligar.
©
Why choose Faroe Islands?
On our way to Iceland Business Dream destination
Nature/ Wildlife Alone Peace
Quiet place Isolated Relaxing Visit Friends/ Relatives
Scandinavia Nordic countries Culture Mystery Š
Why choose the Faroe Islands?
“We wanted to go to the northern region and thought the Faroes were a bit more exclusive than Iceland.” – Globetrotter
“Good recommendations. Direct flight from Edinburgh. Attracted to cold places.” – Globetrotter
“ I love the Nordic sagas, and I have seen beautiful pictures of the Scandinavian countries.” - Globetrotter
“My son saw a football match between Germany and the Faroes some years ago and decided that he had to see this interesting place.” - Culture Lover
“I came to the Faroes, because I was inspired by a book, which was written by a Polish guy, who lived in the Faroes. I brought the book with me...” - Globetrotter “ It’s cheaper with Norrøna, from Iceland to Denmark, if you stop in the Faroes on your way...” – Special Interest - Interaction
“Because the ferry Norrøna went to the Faroes on my way to Iceland. 3 days it's nice here. The landscape is crazy, wonderful. Perhaps I'll come back.” - Globetrotter
©
Why choose the Faroe Islands?
“ I know the band Týr, and the pictures on their CD made me want to see the Faroes. And I'm gonna see them on the Summar Festival.” - Ethnophile
Her er utrolig flot landskab, og der er altid kort ud til naturen.” Special Activity is: "painting landscapes” - Sightseer
“January 11th 2015, New York Times posted an article called '52 places to go' is the main reason for his visit. The article mostly was about the culinary side of the Faroe Islands which inspired to the trip. Had also interest in seeing how his profession is practisised here.” – Authenticity seeker
“They want to follow the Vikings and go to the places where the Vikings have been.” – Globetrotter “He wanted to go to a place where he can reflect over his next work.” – Wilderness Seeker
I read “Barbara”, which has given me a lot of inspiration to come here. - Culture Lover “One of my professors in anthropology mentioned the Faroe Islands in a lecture. He studied maritime communities especially the Faroe Islands and I wanted to experience it.” – Ethnophile
©
Black and white
Š
Black and White
Information Eating Getting around Access Camping
People Friendliness Nature Culture
©
Black and white – Facilities / information
The harbour facilities are excellent
when you are living on your sailing boat. After a long journey it is much appreciated to have a warm shower. And the shower here is really highlevel. - Nature Lover
We love, that you can walk, hike or
just go sightseeing everywhere. It is very safe to be here. That is something which is very strange and different to us, and we love it. The hikes in Mykines and Gásadalur were very beautiful. - Culture Lover
Trying a hot tub outside.
In the campsite there is no grass to set up the tents, so we slept on gravel for one night. - Special Interest
Poor bus information. We tried to call
SSL, because no bus came to Sumba, but no one answered the phone during the weekend! We even called 2 different numbers. We almost did miss the ferry back from Suðuroy, if it weren't for the very helpful local young woman in the shop of Sumba who called someone and then the bus came and picked us up. She is a star. - Globetrotter
Something I have never tried before - Globetrotter
©
Black and white – (diff.)
Turen i Gjógv. Der var et kor, som
It is diffucult to find information about
Eating whale meat and blubber in
De fleste særværdigheder og aktiviteter
havde en lille koncert nede ved vandet. Der fik vi noget, vi ikke lige havde regnet med. - Culture Appreciator
Suðuroy. I felt honoured to be given some. - Wilderness Seeker
The friendliness of the people. In the future when I will think about this journey, I will remember the openness, friendliness and kindness of the Faroese people. - Ethnophile
some of the museums in the villages. It is hard to find. Faroese food - either the resturants don´t have it or they have it and few of the tourists know they have it. Lack of marking and signs. - Ethnophile
er meget dårligt oplyste, f.eks. har vi fundet vej ved at spørge lokale mennesker. Hvis man er heroppe på en kort ferie, så ligger der ikke nede på turist kontoret en liste over “hvad sker der på Færøerne i denne uge”. Jeg spurgte efter en sådan en, men det havde de ikke. Det gør det meget svært at finde ud af, hvilke aktiviteter der er på øerne, hvis man ikke er på en guided-arrangeret pakkerejse. - Globetrotter
©
Black and white – (diff.)
The helicopter ride was a unique experience. – Globetrotter
Participating in the Grind. Because
before coming here, I’d read a lot of negative things about it and I wasn’t sure what to think about it, but now, after talking to the locals, I understand it. It’s fine. I participated in a boat in Bø and on the beach in Tórshavn. – Ethnophile
The food. There are not enough of
possibilities to eat. Too much pizza and sandwich. Need more quality food. And there is a massive lack of signs around the country. You need better information about hiking tours. - Sightseer
Der er meget dårlige handicap
forhold – har en el-scooter og det er meget svært at komme rundt med den, fordi f.eks. fortovskanten er alt for høj at komme op på. - Nature Lover
Generelt meget dårlig service i
Mykines, man kan ikke betale med kort. - Wilderness Seeker
©
Black and white - People
The mentality of the people, the trust and the honest. People are nice. For example yesterday I was in the supermarket and somebody had lost his wallet. The lady asked if anyone had lost his wallet and nobody responded. That wouldn’t have happen in UK. - Nature Lover
It's the friendliness among people.
The warm welcome everywhere you come. That is the best memory of the Faroe Islands, and that's what I will remember these islands for. – Culture Lover
The guy on the Camping site didn’t
want to speak English with me. But after a while he started speaking English. It was not a big thing, but… - Globetrotter
We haven’t found the visitors centers very useful. It doesn’t seem like they wanted to help us. They were only trying to sell us tours and when we didn´t want to by tours from them, they weren’t very helpful anymore. Globetrotter
On the one side it’s the kindness of
the people. On the other side it’s that every day is so various. It´s the change of the weather, it’s the change of the land. - Nature Lover
©
Black and white – Nature / information
Puffins in Mykines. It was wonderful
to see the puffins in their natural habitat. It's special to get so close to them and see them fly. - Globetrotter
Sejlturen til Vestmannabjørgini. Ikke
nødvendigvis fuglene, men især grotterne, jeg var ligesom nødt til at holde vejret, det var en helt fantastisk og uvirkelig oplevelse. Det var lidt magen til følelsen man får når man står foran “La Sagrada Familia” i Spanien.” Naturen på Færøerne kan ikke beskrives, den må opleves. Globetrotter
We wanted to hire a car Sunday
morning, but were told at the hotel that it wasn't possible, but then we called AVIS directly and that person made it happen. We wanted to spend some money, but couldn't find any ATM. Wasted time to look for ATM. Lack of pubs and restaurants outside Tórshavn. Big problem: Everything was closed outside of Tórshavn, e.g. Klaksvík. We wanted to eat at the Hereford and have a drink at Maverick's, but they were closed on Sundays! We wanted to eat at the best restaurants, but only had one good meal. We met other tourists who had to buy some sandwiches at a petrol station, because everything else was closed. Lack of signs everywhere, so it's difficult to drive around. - Culture Lover
©
Black and white – Nature and places
The best experience on the Faroe
Islands is just being here. Just seeing the landscape, and driving around is beautiful. You can enjoy the silence, and there are no people, no stress and no worries. - Authenticity Seeker
It's the nature. It's breathtaking,
beautiful and varying. The colors and the quietness. And the friendliness from the people. It's relaxing. - Nature Lover
To come down to Tjørnuvík and see
the dry fish hanging down under the roof outside. It's interesting to come down to a small really old village and see a Faroese man in a Faroese striped hat. It was amazing. I love the old authentic things. – Culture Appreciator
We enjoyed the trip to Mykines, to see the birds, and the boat trip to Mykines was also an experience. It was very bumpy. I like the open air, the hills and the fjords. It is a nice stunning view. – Authenticity Seeker
It’s the nature. It’s stunningly
beautiful up here. I have never seen anything like this before. We are watching the high mountains, down at the ocean and the fjords. It’s Beautiful” – Globetrotter
All these small villages close to the sea, and seeing the cliffs so close by. We found the silence and the peace here very beautiful. And the feeling that you can breath deep into your lounges. – Culture Appreciator
©
Black and white – Nature and places
The hike between the two villages in
Fugloy. It was completely foggy, but it was so nice. it felt kind of mystical. It was really good. - Ethnophile
Saksun, and the houses that are
green on the top. - Nature Lover
Mykines and the puffins. – Culture Lover
Driving along beautiful mountains. Turn a corner, suddenly incredible view opens. – Globetrotter
The town has just blown me away,
I wanted to sleep in more camping
places around the Island but the camping places were not good. The camping places here are just free area. No activity and no places to buy food and drinks. That’s why I have slept in hotels most of the time. - Nature Appreciator
I am surprised that there is so much
litter all around. For example in Fugloy there were so many things just abandoned everywhere, and that's something I don't understand. Ethnophile
it is just so cute. - Culture Lover
Helicopter ride to Hattarvík.
Surprising to see the landscape from helicopter and its quite rare to do in Europe. - Wilderness Seeker
©
Black and white - Access
We have international calling, but we
have not been able to access the phone web here. We can send text messages, but it is not possible for us to call. And our debit cards/master cards don’t work here. We can get money from ATMs but not use the card in restaurants and other places. - Culture Lover
When I arrived in the airport I had
other currency, but there were no places, where I could change the money into Faroese money. So more currency exchange places would be nice. - Culture Appreciator
The lack of light at the Airport. We
The only negative experience is that
everything is closed on Sunday and that you cannot travel around the Islands as other days and so on. In Iceland we have changed this so it is open on Sundays and other holidays. - Nature Appreciator
The booking system for home stays.
Kunningarstovurnar arrange these, however, one has to go to each Kunningarstova (tourist information centre) for each region, because they do not cooperate. The interviewee notes however that everyone was very nice and helpful, it is just not an ideal system. - Ethnophile
couldn't find our rented car because of the darkness. But the airport is new, so probably it's coming soon. - Culture Lover
©
Black and white – Information / getting around
We couldn’t find the ferry to Mykines
on the first day. We were expecting to see a big boat, instead of the little boat, so we missed the boat on the first day. We saw the boat leave, but we thought it was private, so we didn’t react on it, and we had to wait un till the next day. - Authenticity Seeker
Signs – it is very hard to find ones
way around. When arriving in Tórshavn, it says Tórshavn several entrances. It is particularly hard to find Hotel Føroyar as there are no signs indicating where it is. When driving to Klaksvík it says “Klaksvík” on most signs. Un till all of a sudden it starts saying “Leirvík”. Very confusing if one at that given time doesn´t have a map. - Nature Lover
When arriving to get the ferry to
Suðuroy, the ferry was delayed, but there was no information regarding this. There was no boat in the harbor, no signs with notices and information desks/offices were closed. When asking a local, he was able to inform that it was delayed by half an hour. But interviewee would not have been able to find this information by own means. - Culture Lover
Bus timetable difficult to understand
and not very complete, for example takes for granted that tourists know when school days are and when not. Wilderness Seeker
©
Black and white - Eating
Jeg troede, at vi kom herop og fik
færøsk mad. Alle de spisesteder hvor vi har været får man pizza og pasta. Hvorfor får man ikke færøsk mad? Det har været skuffende. Det var det samme oppe I supermarkedet I SMS. Ingen færøsk pølse, kød, ost eller noget. Der var nøjagtigt det same som I Danmark. - Wilderness Seeker
The prices are too high. - Authenticity Seeker
We have had problems with the fact
that the restaurants close so early. That has been our biggest challenge: Finding places to eat. Because if you are away all day hiking, and get back late, it is very hard to find places that are open. Also it has been hard to find places, that aren´t very expensive or like a burger bar. There doesn’t seem to be many midrange places. Finding lunch and dinner has been the biggest challenge. The fresh food selection has not been very good. - Culture Lover
©
Hoped for but not available
Š
Hoped for but not available
Whale hunting
Booked Faroese food
Chain dance
Closed
Difficulties getting around
32% said, that there were activities or experiences that they hoped for (on the Faroe Islands) which were not available.
Š
Hoped for but not available – Getting around
•
•
•
•
More hiking possibilities. We felt that we missed good hiking routes due to lack of information and marking of trails. Also we wanted to take a boat trip to Enniberg, but got the message that it was not possible since nothing had been arranged. We could not go to Stora Dímun either. We wanted to go to Kallsoy, but the boat was full, so we couldn’t go. I wanted to go to Mykines, but unfortunately I didn’t have the time. I could have made it if I took the helicopter, but you have to book it a few weeks before departure, and I didn’t book then. We wish there would be more viewpoints/stop places along the roads so we could stop more often to take pictures, but that’s just not possible with these small roads.
•
•
•
Vi skulle en sejltur med Norðlýsið. Vi ventede i lang tid på båden, men der kom ingen båd. Siden gik vi til turistinformationen, hvor vi fik vores penge tilbage, men det var kun tilfældigt, at vi gik ind på turistinformationen, ellers havde vi ikke fået vores penge tilbage, vi vidste jo ikke, at vores sejltur var aflyst. Wanted to take a helicopter to Mykines, but it was fully booked. The birdcliff boat trip to Vestmanna was cancelled, because there weren't enough bookings. Yes, we were looking for the War Museum in Vágar and asked a local, who advised us to turn right with Bónus, but we couldn't find any signs for the War Museum.
©
Hoped for but not available – Getting around
•
•
• •
The website about the busses is mostly in Faroese. It would be easier, if they had everything translated into English, because I found out that sometimes there is only one bus in the morning, and one bus at night back. Not like Copenhagen, where it is every hour. They do like to bicycle, but the Faroese seem like a dangerous place to cycle due to lack of cycle paths and many tunnels.
•
•
Perhaps worth considering offering mountain bike rides in the Faroe Islands, which has become a popular activity in Kreta and Turkey. Helicopter trips. He thought it was possible, but turns out only as mode of transport so not as round trip for tourists. It would be nice to book a private helicopter tour to see the islands from above, but there does not appear to be any company offering this.
•
We wanted to go to Fugloy and Svínoy, but it wasn't possible, because we didn't have any cash and they didn't take credit card. We also wanted to use the helicopter, but it wasn't possible due to the timetables, so I would say it's not so easy to travel to the islands. It is difficult to go hiking, because it is difficult to find the paths. We could see the routes on the map, but we couldn’t find any path. So that is a bit disapointing. Because we knew we wanted to go hiking, but when you don’t know where to go, it is hard. You can go, but maybe you never come back. Maybe the people here know where to go, but we don’t.
They wanted a boat trip with Norðlýsið, but it was difficult to find information on departures.
©
Hoped for but not available ACTIVITIES
EATING
•
•
•
•
We have not seen any Faroese cultural events, like dancing or Faroese singing, and I don´t think we are going to have the opportunity. There should be some cultural events during the whole summer season. Det er sket, at vi har hørt for sent, at der skulle have været en eller anden begivenhed i Nordens Hus, som vi havde gerne villet deltage i, men hvor vi har været for sent ude. Det er fordi at det er svært at finde informationer om lokale begivenheder.
• • •
Suppose that it would be nice if some of the smaller places had a place to buy coffee. Cheaper and more Faroese restaurants, not only fast-food and pizza. Hvalkjøt håbede jeg på at spise. Og forventede mere laks og lammekjøt. Wanted to eat more Faroese food, but could not be bought in restaurants.
Hang gliding, mountain climbing, hiking for rocks.
©
Hoped for but not available ACTIVITIES
EATING
•
•
•
• • •
•
There could be more indoor facilities when the whether is bad. A spa or something.
I love fishing, but it’s quite hard to figure out on your own, so I have to call someone, and that is expensive for my standard. So that was not really possible for me. We have talked about riding Faroese horses, but we called them today and it was fully booked. He would recommend perhaps offering activities like paragliding in the Faroe Islands due to the winds we have.
• • •
Expected more opportunities for different foods at accommodation. No possibility to get nibbles or smaller meals. A major disappointment that they could not get hold of whale meat. Vegetarian food is a bit hard to find. I survived with pizza. Yeah, I want to try the dry sheep/lamb, but I haven’t found a place to eat that yet. So that’s something I some hope that I can do before I leave
I was hoping to be a part of the whaling, so this is my wish. If it happened, it would be the highlight of this trip.
I am hoping to experience whale hunting.
©
Hoped for but not available VARIOUS
• • • • •
Hoped to see the whale killings. Shopping on Sundays - had hoped that shops would stay open on Sundays during tourist season. Aquarium closed on Mondays. We wanted to take the helicopter to Mykines, but were told that they don't fly there with the helicopter anymore. We really wanted to eat a lot of fish, but it is really not easy to find - and that is too bad! And we wanted to go kayaking, but it was really complicated, because then you had to send an e-mail, wait for answer and then it took too long time, so we didn't go anyways - that is also too bad!
• • •
Hoped for shopping souvenirs, but the opening hours weren't good/always closed, was always too late. Some churches were closed. Lunderne var fløjet, de havde håbet på at se lunder (de vidste ikke, at fuglene var fløjet på det tidspunkt, de var på Færøerne)
©
Hoped for but not available VARIOUS
•
• • •
Vi så dambrug (laks), og det kunne vi godt have tænkt os at se og høre et eller andet om. Jeg ved ikke om man kan kalde det aktivitet, men det var vi ikke lige forberedt på (det var i Hósvík). The church, in some of the villages, were closed. I think it was a shame, because we wanted to see them. It has been difficult to find a sim-card for my internet. When we were in Mykines, we wanted to see puffins, but unfortunetly the puffin season was over.
©
Testimonials
Š
“Færøerne - det er som at komme i himlen. Jeg tabte noget på Færøerne – mit hjerte! Mine øjne og min sjæl drak sig ganske beruset i den færøske majestætiske og skønne natur.”
©
Testimonials “Day light all the time was a special experience. First it was impressive. Then it became a bit of a problem trying to sleep. Suggestion for advertisement: "The country that never sleeps!” "This place is just a tremendous fulfillment of nature. And a great place to get away from people as well.” "During the culture night of Tórshavn I realized there are so many artists from the Faroe Islands. It was really impressive to see their art and exhibitions.” "Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean - such a place is not something you are able to do everyday.”
“I went to a concert on Nólsoy. It was in a basement and had an intimate atmosphere that made the music come very close. I didn't understand what she sang, but I think the Faroese language is beautiful, and mixed with the music, the concert really touched me.” “The concert in the cave was really cool. You go out with an old wooden boat to a cave. The musicians where both on the cave floor and in boats. It is really amazing how the sound reflects from the different spots. For me the music and the sound is important. And it was really great.” ©
Testimonials “Feeling the wind and drinking water straight from the streams. That feeling was so beautiful.” “Færinger er formet af naturen, det gør turen ekstra spændende.”
“I love the Faroe Islands so much that it´s OK, that the weather is not good.”
“You can smell the smell of your childhood and you'll get inspired by the nature.”
“Had a fantastic time, I dont think there is a place left like this on earth.”
“The Faroe Islands are a treasure for people who want to take photos. A never ending treasure.”
“I’m already planning my next trip to the Faroes for next year.” “I‘d like to thank Faroe Islands for being the greatest place on Earth - wonderful place and people.”
©
Testimonials “Faroe Islands is a crazy and beautiful collection of small islands.” “The pictures doesn’t do it justice, it is even more beautiful than I imagined.”
"The Faroe Islands have a special smell of seaweed, bog and moist soil.” "The best moment to cherish on my trip to the Faroe Islands was to sit quiet in the grass between all the sweet puffins on the island of Mykines and enjoy the beautiful nature.”
“The atmosphere is very relaxed, and I get a feeling of being able to breath deep into my lounges.” “The scenery is something out of Jurassic Park. Its just amazing” "All the people are smiling, and you experience peace of mind here.”
“Even if I travel alone, I do not feel alone because people take care of me.” "Every place you go you get so different views. It’s breathtaking” ©
Testimonials “You have Viking history and are part of the kingdom of Denmark the idea of the whole Nordic countries.”
“The Faroe Islands are probably the most remote corner of what we can find in Europe. That makes it mystical and worth to explore on an adventure ” “The mountain and the structure of the Faroe Islands makes it such a unique place. I feel like there really isn´t any place like this in the world.” “Concerto Grotto. That was really a special experience. So professional. What an experience.”
“It has been an amazing journey.”
“The special location in the middle of the north Atlantic, in the middle of nowhere, so isolated, it was exciting for us to discover” “The weather here is very interesting. In one hour there is very good weather and the next hour very bad. It changes very quickly.” “Running in the thick fog – that was kind of cool.” “Your nature is just amazing with sunshine-light all the nights.” ©
The stay has been freaking amazing. The islands are completely stunning. The city is comfortable to wander around in, nice, natural and neighborhoody. The city is also relaxing, beautiful and open
Š