ABOUT US
Who we are
The Svalbard Guide Association (SGA) is the first representative of Svalbard's guide community. We promote sustainable development and preservation of high quality guiding in the Arctic. Not only to assure and improve safety for guests and guides alike, also to foster social acceptance and recognition of the guide profession.
To achieve our objectives we will transfer information between officials, companies and guides: we will act as an information intermediary.
Our key focus points:
| Mediating further education and courses to increase guide competences | |
| Reasoning for the enforcement of a certification standard for all guides and companies offering tours on Svalbard | |
| Raise environmental awareness and promote environmental protection | |
| Symbiosis between local community and guide community (yearly Guide Conference) | |
| HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) compliant and lawful working conditions for guides on Svalbard |
Who we cooperate with
Svalbard Guide Association (SGA) was formed in the winter of 2018, as a non‐profit organization. Since we started the SGA has defined its focus points and concentrates on transferring information between officials, companies and guides.
To reach our objectives we are cooperating with many different partners while representing the Svalbard guide community:
| Visit Svalbard to create a better information flow between the guides and the companies, also to raise the standards in guiding | |
| Sysselmannen to increase safety for guides and guests, as well as to create a better information flow between the guides and officials (especially freelance guide) | |
| NNGF (Norsk Naturguideforbund) who has the same goals | |
| PTGA (Polar Tourism Guide Association) ‐ to help with training and certification of cruise guides | |
| UNIS (The University Centre in Svalbard) who provides current research outcomes and speakers for conferences. Educated guides can ensure environmental protection through awareness | |
| Lokalstyre to work on better living situation for guides | |
| Arbeidstilsynet and Handel og Kontor (Union) who helps to form collective agreements on Svalbard to incorporate legal working contracts and permanent full time employment. H&K is also the main sponsor for our yearly ’Guide Conference’ |