Granö Beckasin – Winner of the Grand Travel Ecotourism Award 2024
It all started with a commitment to the local community. The goal was to create more job opportunities and get more people to move to the area, to ensure the survival of the school. From this, the company Granö Beckasin was founded in 2008. Now they have received the Grand Travel Ecotourism Award.
– The award means a lot to all of us here. It's so exciting to be recognized for successfully generating employment in rural areas. And to be an example that growth in the countryside is possible, and that ecotourism is a successful path to choose. I hope people across our country, including investors, entrepreneurs, and municipalities facing similar situations to ours, see that growth is possible instead of cutbacks. Invest, dare, and commit, says Christopher Storm, Product Manager at Granö Beckasin.
Granö Beckasin is a Nature's Best quality-marked company.
Grand Travel Award Ecotourism Prize is an annually award which is distributed by Naturturismföretagen and the travel industry magazine Travel News, to a company that best brings Swedish ecotourism to life.
The company is located in the village of Granö, between Lycksele and Umeå, in the forest along the Ume River; featuring a hotel, unique nature-based accommodations, and an eco restaurant.
Guests can, for example, stay like a bird high up in the trees in one of their Bird's Nests.
Granö also offers conference facilities and various packages with activities that follow the seasons.
The food served is carefully selected and comes from the area, reflecting seasonal changes and local traditions
The business is rooted in the core of ecotourism – contributing positively to the local environment.
– It started with parents in the village realizing that if we didn't create job opportunities, there would be problems getting children to the school, and the school would be closed. There was a threat that the school, the grocery store, and the camping site, now our lodge, would close down. Today, there is a small grocery store, the school is still here, there are two bakeries with cafes, a dog sledding company, an artist who also offers guided tours specializing in photography, a cider mustery. Our "why" as a company and main goal are growth in our community and to promote as many other businesses as possible.
Christopher describes the company as standing on three pillars: activities as a reason for travel there, unique nature-based accommodation, and good food with strong local ties.
– We deliver a complete experience; it's crucial for success. Travel consists of many parts, and they must connect. We collaborate with many other actors in the area to organize activities and package solutions for accommodation. It should be easy to come to us.
Sustainability is essential, and Granö Beckasin works hard for it. The restaurant is KRAV-certified, and the company has been a quality-labeled with Nature's Best Sweden for many years.
– Our purpose was clear from the beginning. We wanted to promote our local community. Working with ecotourism aligns well with that purpose, creating experiences that also lead to something lasting that can benefit the local community. We have very clear limits on how large we want to be and what is best in the long term, says Christopher Storm
Award motivation:
Granö Beckasin is deeply rooted in its location and aims to create a positive development for the local community.
Over the years, Granö Beckasin has steadily grown and laid the foundation for several different businesses in nature tourism and the hospitality industry.
A diverse range of engaging activities enhances guests' experiences, grounded in the simplicity and beauty of nature, with sustainability at the forefront at every step.
The core of ecotourism – contributing positively to the place – permeates everything at Granö Beckasin, a steadily shining star in the sky of ecotourism."
Pictures: Jenny Engström , Bea Holmberg.