Sustainable and Innovative Companies Honored in Linköping’s Tourism Industry

In conjunction with the Tourism Industry Day in Linköping, Visit Linköping & Co awarded prizes to local tourism businesses that have distinguished themselves in innovation and sustainability. A café/bakery and future cultural center, along with a hotel/conference facility, emerged as the winners.

The Tourism Industry Day, organized by Visit Linköping & Co, took place at Vårdnäs Stiftsgård and Naturlogi. Around a hundred participants from Linköping’s and Östergötland’s tourism sector attended the event. In the afternoon, two companies were recognized for their contributions to the tourism industry in 2024.

“We have many successful companies in Linköping’s tourism industry that work hard every day to develop their businesses and meet both customer and planetary demands. Through these awards, we want to highlight some of these as inspiration for others,” says Jörgen Nilsson, Head of Tourism at Visit Linköping & Co.

In the categories of “Most Sustainable” and “Most Innovative,” attendees of the Tourism Industry Day nominated their favorites. A jury consisting of Anna Holmlund (Linköping’s Innersta), Therese Rahnel (Visit Östergötland), Daniel Collin Holgersson (ALMI Östergötland), and Jörgen Nilsson (Visit Linköping & Co) selected the winners.

Babettes was named the Most Innovative, while Vårdnäs Stiftsgård won the Most Sustainable award. Other finalists in the Sustainable category were Ölsbo Gårdsbryggeri and Just Wood, while Skönfärgaregården and Vreta kloster bryggeri were finalists in the Innovative category.

Winners’ Reactions

“It feels very encouraging to receive the award for the most innovative in Linköping’s tourism industry. We are in the midst of a journey to scale up our operations with a cultural center. It’s a big investment for us, and it feels good to have strong support from Linköping and its residents,” say Lydia Halldorf and Christina Eveborn, who run Babettes together with Julia Magnusson.

“It’s an honor to receive the award for the most sustainable, as we operate close to nature and must be the best at sustainability to feel authentic. We work a lot on telling our story and what drives us, which is more important than all the certifications in the world,” says Jonas Ridderström, CEO of Vårdnäs Stiftsgård.

Jury’s Motivations

Most Innovative: Babettes Kafferi & Bageri

“This year’s innovator is loved by visitors, residents, and Benjamin Ingrosso alike. With Sweden’s best buns in the oven and a stronger future in the cultural sphere, the newly awarded facility thinks creatively. During the fall of 2024, they have acquired a cultural center, creating an opportunity to develop new, niche, and broad experiences that enhance Linköping’s Inner City. Beautiful!”

Most Sustainable: Vårdnäs Stiftsgård

“This year’s sustainable winner can be found in chlorophyll. In peace and quiet in a scenic environment with solar panels on the roofs adjacent to the Kinda Canal. A kitchen based on sustainable ingredients according to the seasons. Named environmental ambassador in 2024 and in the service of the church and tourism industry for 80 years. Green light!”

For more information about Linköping’s tourism industry and these awards, visit the original press release.