Authentic, unspoiled, and likely to remain so

Shangri La of the 21st century
The international press has started to notice the Faroe Islands. It is not unusual to hear journalists make statements like the one Eric Campbell from Australian TV-show ‘Foreign Correspondent’ made, “The Faroe Islands could very well be the world’s next country!” One of the world’s leading experts in nation branding, Simon Anholt, similarly said, “The Faroe Islands is the Shangri La of the 21’st century!” In a New York Times article in 2007 with the headline, “Into the Mystical Unreal Reality of the Faroe Islands”, the Faroe Islands were described as “the most curious place left on earth” and the journalist Stephen Metcalf described his impression such: “The Faroes are easily the most moodily beautiful place I have ever been”.

Tradition and modernity side by side
The Faroe Islands may be perceived as a little bit exotic, because they are geographically remote – but they are actually in a great strategic position in the shipping lane between the two wealthiest continents in the world and are only a couple of hours’ flight from the big cities in Northern Europe. There is still something to be said about remoteness, because the relative isolation from the outside world for centuries has meant that the Faroe Islanders have been able to preserve ancient traditions. You could say that the remoteness of the Faroe Islands mixed with the modernisation and globalisation of society has placed the Faroe Islands in a unique position compared to other countries – at the same time both deeply rooted in tradition and modernity.
This contrast gives the Faroe Islanders a very strong identity. There are probably not that many places in the world where young people think it is cool to wear their national dress on national holidays, but in the Faroe Islands they do while living a life that is just as globalised as the rest of the modern world, texting on their mobile phones, and interacting in cyber space.

A lot to offer to visitors
Faroe Islanders have the opportunity to welcome tourists with modern conveniences with four-star hotels, gourmet restaurants and café-life in Tórshavn, but can also offer them to go to the small villages and islands in the immediate vicinity of Tórshavn where they can participate in traditional Faroese farming life – herding sheep, building boats or rappelling from ropes on the cliff face. As for business tourism, the Nordic House, is an ideal venue for conferences, seminars, and meetings.

The strengths of the Faroese people
The Faroe Islands is a bubbling cauldron of creativity. The concentration of artists and creative people is remarkable considering the number of inhabitants. It may have something to do with the cocktail of a wild, raw, achingly beautiful nature and strong traditions mixed with globalisation which all creates a synergy that boosts creativity. The Faroe Islands is an astonishing combination of many powerful ingredients that are hitting a nerve in modern man.