Sustainable tourism projects pick up Northern Periphery and Arctic award
Dr Steve Taylor, Director of the Centre for Recreation and Tourism Research at UHI North, West and Hebrides has accepted the “Shaping Sustainable Tourism” award on behalf of the Sustainable Arctic and Peripheral Cycling Tourism project (SUB).
The award was presented during the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme’s 25th Anniversary Conference, Joining the Dots, held in Bodø, Norway, from 30 September to 2 October 2025.
Accepting the award on behalf of collaborators from across the region, Dr Taylor highlighted the collective impact of the project in promoting cycling tourism that connects visitors with the culture, landscape, and identity.
Dr Taylor said: “Over the past ten years I have been fortunate enough to work on some great projects and with inspiring people all across the northern periphery, as well as visiting some truly memorable places. It’s a great honour to receive this award, on behalf of all those colleagues who have strived to promote responsible tourism that connects visitors with the unique wonders of the north.”
UHI Perth colleagues have partnered with Dr Taylor across a wide range of tourism-focused initiatives, including post-COVID recovery, scientific tourism, and ecotourism development in protected areas, reinforcing UHI’s long-term commitment to regional tourism innovation.
The award - a handcrafted porcelain ptarmigan, symbol of the NPA - was created by an artist in Gammelstad, Northern Sweden.