Birger Nordholm
Birger Joseph Nordholm (June 25, 1897 - November 30, 1989) was a founding director of the Swedish National Tourist Bureau in New York, a founder of the European Travel Commission and a member of the Scandinavian Travel Commission.
Biography
Birger Nordholm was born in Stockholm, Sweden, 1897, and died in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, United States in 1987.
Peace and understanding through travel—Birger Nordholm
Nordholm initiated and headed The Swedish National Tourist Bureau in New York 1920-1963. He spent his career promoting Swedish tourism and under his leadership, tourism became one of Sweden's leading sources of revenue. He created the motto "Peace and understanding through travel" and received several awards, orders and accolades from many nations including the Order of Vasa from King Gustav V and the Key to the City of New York from New York's mayor. After World War II, as part of the Marshall Plan, Nordholm was named the initial chairman of the European Travel Commission by President Eisenhower, a position he held 1949-1958. His homes in New York City and Weston, Connecticut, became the center of many international festivities, including an annual midsummer party held at his country home "Tuckaway"; ambassadors, consular heads, Miss Sweden and other dignitaries attended and he became a well-known speaker. The long country road to his home was officially named Nordholm Drive in his honor in the 1950s. He was buried at Tuckaway.
Awards and distinctions
- Order of Vasa (1939)
- Order of the Polar Star (1952)
- Order of the Dannebrog
- Order of the White Rose
- Order of St. Olav
- Key to the City of New York (1987)
- Nordholm Drive (1950s)