Denmark

Tourism

Nature Impact

Operational initiatives

Regenerative Tourism Across Denmark

Client

Danmarks Kyst- og Naturturisme (DKNT)

Services

Sustainable Growth & Commercial Impact

Project Description

Developing the program architecture behind The Great Nearby, DKNT's national program to grow outdoor tourism across Denmark's coastal and nature parks

The Project

Danish Coastal and Nature Tourism (DKNT) is leading The Great Nearby, a two-year program (2025–2027) to strengthen Denmark's national, geo- and nature parks as destinations for outdoor tourism. The program has a dual ambition: to help more people experience Danish nature while enabling tourism businesses to develop in harmony with their natural surroundings. Bringing together tourism operators, nature communicators, and regenerative frontrunners across Denmark's coastal and rural regions, the program needed a structure capable of coordinating these efforts over two years.

Our Approach

Upstream Partners supported DKNT by designing the program architecture for The Great Nearby and leading its Frontrunners track. The work included:

Designing the process logic across four interconnected workstreams

Mapping potential local restoration initiatives and relevant stakeholders

Identifying and recruiting tourism businesses already moving toward nature-aligned, regenerative models, such as nature-based hotels and outdoor experience providers

Supporting recruited businesses in developing regenerative strategies and action plans

Designing and facilitating a masterclass series in regenerative tourism

Impact

The program gives DKNT a structured platform for growing outdoor tourism while creating value for both businesses and nature. Through the Frontrunners track, Upstream Partners established a pipeline of concrete regenerative tourism concepts, developed with real businesses, tested through pilot processes, and shared as inspiration across the sector.

Contact us for more information

Thilde Nørgaard Holm

Partner

+45 20 28 35 85

tnh@upstream.partners

Tor Hjort-Falsted

Sustainable Finance Manager

thf@upstream.partners

Let's work together

Join Upstream Partners in our mission to create a sustainable, nature-positive future. By working together, we can meet international goals and protect the planet for future generations.

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