Kristin Krohn Devold, a former defense minister, is stepping down from NHO Reiseliv after twelve years and two decades in the industry.
Stepping Down After Four Decades of Full-Time Public Service
According to an announcement by NHO Reiseliv, Krohn Devold’s final working day will be August 31. Reflecting on her tenure, she noted a desire for a more flexible daily routine after dedicating 40 years to full-time employment. While stepping away from the daily operations of the travel organization, she intends to maintain her active involvement in public boards and governance.
“After 40 years as a full-time employee, I want a more flexible everyday life. I will continue with my public duties and board positions, and I look forward to following Norwegian tourism from the sidelines,” Krohn Devold stated, as reported by Nettavisen.
Her career trajectory has been varied. Before joining NHO Reiseliv in 2013—after leaving her position as general secretary of the DNT—she served as Norway’s Minister of Defense under the Bondevik two-regjeringen.
From Overlooked Regional Niche to Export Powerhouse
When Krohn Devold first assumed roles within the travel sector two decades ago, the landscape looked different. Under her advocacy, the industry underwent an evolution.
“In my 20 years in tourism, I have been part of an adventurous development. Norwegian tourism has gone from being a somewhat underrated district industry to becoming one of Norway’s most important export industries, creating jobs and well-being throughout Norway,” Krohn Devold reflected in the NHO Reiseliv press release, cited by Nettavisen.
This maturation saw tourism cement its status as a critical export earner. NHO Reiseliv-president Mona Jacobsen Saab praised this enduring impact, emphasizing the steadiness required to guide the organization through turbulence, most notably the pandemic.
“Kristin Krohn Devold has been a clear voice for tourism over the past 20 years and steered the ship with a steady hand. In her period, there have been some tough years, including during the pandemic, but Norwegian tourism has also experienced tremendous development and great growth in the period. We are many who are grateful for the effort she has put in,” Saab said, according to Nettavisen.
The Transition and the Road Ahead for NHO Reiseliv
With Krohn Devold’s departure at the end of August, the machinery of succession is already in motion. NHO Reiseliv confirmed that the recruitment process to find a successor has commenced. In the interim, Director of Labor Policy Magne Kristensen will step into the role as acting director to maintain continuity for the organization’s members.
The incoming leadership will inherit an industry facing modern pressures. As Krohn Devold transitions to the sidelines, her twenty-year footprint leaves a high bar for whoever takes the helm.
