Weekend Video: Tromsø beyond the bureaucracy

With the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø now over, the bureaucrats, business leaders, politicians and unusually large pack of reporters are heading home. But the town that hosts the annual gathering, which is also home to the Arctic Council secretariat, has a lot more going for it than politics and governance.

Tromsø, a city of around 80,000 people above the Arctic Circle, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The steady flow of tourists has helped create a surprisingly lively bar and restaurant scene, all set against a backdrop of steep mountains and open Arctic landscapes.

CNBC captured some of that atmosphere in this uplifting video about an American who moved to Tromsø in search of a better life. It’s a reminder that beyond the policy debates and press briefings, this small Arctic city has become a must-visit stop for travelers heading north.