Saving the Environment to Exploring the Meaning of Home – What’s Next in Tourism?
As the CEO of Visit Faroe Islands, Guðrið Højgaard spearheads efforts to redefine the future of tourism. From initiatives aimed at environmental conservation to exploring the profound meaning of home, Guðrið is at the forefront of shaping the next chapter in tourism.
Guðrið Højgaard has vast experience in the tourism industry, having worked as marketing director for Visit Stockholm and marketing manager for Visit Denmark in Sweden. She has an MBA in International Marketing and Communication from Copenhagen Business School.
In 2012 she moved back to her native islands after 20 years abroad and took up the position of Director of Visit Faroe Islands where her main task is, quite simply, to put the Faroe Islands on the world map as a must-see tourist destination. In recognition of her achievements so far in leading her small team to develop a successful new marketing strategy for Faroese tourism, Guðrið Højgaard received the 2016 Public Leader of the Year award.
Visit Faroe Islands has won +100 international marketing awards like Golden Lions in Cannes, Clio Awards, Epica Awards and World Media Awards. From 2018 Guðrið is also director for the internal tourism development on the islands.
In 2019 Guðrið was on the Politico 28 list over people most likely to be “shaping, shaking and stirring Europe in 2019”, the first ever tourism director on the list.