Plans for a potential tourist tax in Norway have been in the works for a number of years, but the government has made concrete steps to introduce it into law.
Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Cecilie Myrseth, has said the government wants to have a tourist tax in place by 2025.
Whether the tax is charged will be made at the discretion of local authorities, who will also decide the rate. However, a cap of up to five percent of the cost of accommodation has been proposed.
The government hopes the tax will help local authorities overcome the challenges posed by mass tourism.
Under the proposed tax, those who stay at hotels, campsites, Airbnb rentals, guest harbours, and even cruise ships will be charged for their visit, with this money going back into local coffers.
So, which hotspots are in favour of the tax? We’ve looked at local authorities who have expressed an interest in a tourist tax over the past few years and, where possible, their reaction to the latest proposals.
Bergen
Popular with tourists for its historic charm and access to some of Norway’s most stunning fjords, the city council in Bergen has recently suggested that it would be open to introducing the tourist tax.
Prior to the latest government proposal being unveiled, Jacob Mæhle, the finance councillor on the city council, has suggested a charge equivalent to around 40-50 kroner per visitor.
“Tourists benefit from public investments that the municipality has made over many, many years. The investments and their maintenance are currently financed exclusively by the citizens of Bergen,” he said.
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Lofoten
The reaction to the tourist tax in Lofoten has been mixed. Some local residents and politicians believe the tax doesn’t address the region’s biggest problem.
Locals in the region say that the tax won’t apply to those who camp in mobile homes, with residents arguing the vehicles clog local roads and create massive issues.
However, there have long been calls for a tourist tax in Lofoten from both tourism officials and local politicians for years, so it would, therefore, be unsurprising if it wasn’t introduced by the municipalities that make up the region.
Moskenes mayor Hanna Sverdrup has said it’s important that the municipalities collaborate to implement the tax successfully.
Officials in Lofoten have also previously called on the government to allow it to a run a trial scheme for any potential tourist tax.
Kragerø
The population of Kragerø in southern Norway can increase fivefold during the summer months, which puts a strain on local resources.
Charlotte Therkelsen, the mayor of Kragerø, has previously told public broadcaster NRK that a tourist tax would be welcomed in the municipality.
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Ålesund
The city on Norway’s west coast has seen a surge in cruise tourism in recent years, which has caused bottlenecking on the roads and popular hiking paths.
Several proposals have been suggested as solutions in Ålesund. Ålesund Municipality has previously suggested a charge of ten kroner per cruise passenger.
It also has a limit on the number of cruise passengers it receives per day. Other cities like Bergen and Stavanger already have such a rule in place.
The industry organisation for tourism in Norway, NHO Reiseliv, has hit out the government’s plans for a tourist tax but has said that limits on passengers were good practice for Norwegian ports.
READ MORE: Norwegian city of Ålesund will consider a limit on cruise tourists
Tromsø
A popular destination for winter tourism due to the Northern Lights and the surrounding nature in the region, Tromsø has seen a significant increase in visitors in recent years.
This winter alone, a number of new routes connecting the city’s airport to major European cities have been launched.
Earlier this year, Tromsø Municipality said it would want to see a tourist tax introduced.
Local politicians will potentially face significant backlash from hotels in the area who have responded negatively to the tax.
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