Eriksberg Hotel & Nature Reserve

Where Eriksberg is concerned, 2022 has been a challenging year in many ways, according to CEO Per-Arne Olsson. The restrictions imposed during the pandemic, the opportunity to finally go on a holiday to the sun and major increases in the cost of electricity, fuel, food and drink have meant that Eriksberg has had to become even more creative.

“At our company we have the attitude that challenges strengthen us and give us a chance to innovate and do things better,” says Per-Arne Olsson. “We’re in the process of developing a dedicated commercial team, revitalizing our sales efforts and running projects that boost Blekinge’s attractiveness as a visitor destination.”

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH NATURE AND ANIMALS
An extensive hotel project is currently underway at Eriksberg, to be ready for its grand opening in early 2024. The hotel, designed by architect Oskar Årevall, will be a freestanding wooden building on three levels, with all 23 rooms overlooking the Eriksberg savannah. The hotel – known as Arken (The Ark) – is designed to evoke a boat that has docked in the rural environment. No compromises have been made in terms of sustainability or comfort. In 2022 Eriksberg commissioned the design duo Bernadotte & Kylberg to design three suites.

“Bernadotte & Kylberg will help us blur the lines between the indoors and the outdoors, making nature accessible 365 days a year in a comfortable and natural way, without disturbing the animals and nature,” says Per-Arne Olsson. “This is fully in line with the philosophy we’ve been working to for over 80 years.”

HEALING POWER OF NATURE
With nature as a healing force, Eriksberg aims to develop and offer a range of experiences. With the help of research they will demonstrate the power of nature and the forests to increase well-being – and particularly to reduce stress and sickness absence. There are plans at Eriksberg for yoga and Japanese-inspired forest bathing with a guide, including on prescription from the health service. The new swimming pool linked to the new hotel development was opened in April. In the hot, steamy water, visitors can enjoy the cold and the dark and find peace by listening to the sounds of the night – the boar rooting around in the mud and the deer bellowing.

BORDERLESS BLEKINGE
Eriksberg is Blekinge’s single largest employer in the tourism industry and a driving force in several different local initiatives to boost Blekinge’s appeal as a destination. Its sights are set far beyond the region’s borders, with a view to attracting new visitors.

The Blekinge archipelago is identified by UNESCO as an area with unique natural and cultural values along the 56th parallel north. You can experience the ARK56 biosphere reserve there on foot, by bike, in a kayak or on an archipelago boat. The Archipelago Walk 2023 suspension bridge project will make it possible to hike between coastal islets and skerries on Scandinavia’s longest suspension bridge.

“Our guests are looking for hiking experiences,” says Per-Arne Olsson. “With small efforts, we will be able to present a number of new offers that attract Blekinge residents and nature tourists from Sweden and neighboring countries alike – thanks to the bridges.”

Next year, Eriksberg will continue working with the Swedish tourism organization Visit Sweden on various activities. The aim is to highlight regions and destinations that are not so well known internationally and attract visitors from outside Sweden to the safari park. Eriksberg also works closely with tourism organization Visit Blekinge to take Blekinge out into the world by means of its regional tourism industry.

HAVING THE COURAGE TO BE BOLD
Eriksberg will work more on developing and diversifying its offering in 2023, the aim being to fill its order books with Swedish and international customers. The idea is to ensure the new hotel building is already booked up for the opening. A calendar of events will also help with forward planning for the coming year. “We need to have the courage to be bold,” says Per-Arne Olsson. “With the backing of Mellby Gård, we’ve succeeded in putting Blekinge on the map – now we want to bring the rest of the world here.”