Following a record-breaking 38 million overnight stays, one EU country – renowned for its beautiful scenery – is consulting on a bill that could add three per cent to tourists’ accommodation costs
Yet another EU country is mulling over a tourist tax, in what could be a huge blow to Brits. Once an off-the-beaten track destination, reserved only for series globetrotters and hiking enthusiasts – Norway has slowly slipped under the tourist spotlight.
Luring British holidaymakers with its ‘stunning’ mountains, glassy lakes, and chocolate box cabins – Norway’s popularity has surged astronomically in the last few years. In fact, last year it garnered a record-breaking 38 million overnight stays – a four per cent spike from 2023.
Direct flights to the Norway from major UK airports such as London Stansted, Gatwick, and Manchester has made the country even more accessible – and affordable, with return flights in June priced as low as £28*. It means trekking up to the majestic fjords for a weekend of walks, saunas, and wildlife spotting no longer guarantees you’ll be on your own.
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While the country’s government says the tourism boost is ‘great’, it also acknowledges the strain holidaymakers can put on popular regions. As a result, it has proposed a ‘visitor contribution’ that municipalities can ‘voluntarily introduce’.
Following a round of consultation, the new bill has given municipalities the power to charge tourists three per cent on all forms of paid accommodation, including hotels, campsites, and rentals through platforms like Airbnb. This is a two per cent reduction from the five per cent levy that was first proposed – to ‘reduce the burden on the accommodation industry’.
The voluntary tax can also be adjusted based on the season. So, municipalities may chose to implement the levy during peak travelling times, and remove it during off-peak months.
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In government press release, that has been translated into English, Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth warned: “If the tourism industry is to continue to grow, this must happen within sustainable frameworks. We must address the challenges. Visitor contributions have been introduced in many countries in Europe. Payment in connection with accommodation is the most common form of visitor contribution in those countries that have chosen to introduce this.”
Profits from the tourist tax cannot be used to ‘balance municipal budgets’ and should be strictly for financing tourism-related public goods. This include the installation of toilets, waste disposal, and information activities.
“In the long term, a moderate visitor contribution can help make travel destinations more attractive to tourists and reduce the inconvenience to local residents,” the government added. “This contributes to better trust between the industry, visitors and local residents.”
*Prices based on Skyscanner listings at the time of writing.
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