Norway suffers from surcontarism and introduces a tax

Laying for. In addition, an Instagram photo: Norway suffers from mass tourism.Image: Imago

Faced with heat, mass tourism moves more and more towards small overwhelmed Nordic villages. For example, The regions concerned are looking for solutions to amortize the shock.

Niels Aner, Copenhague / ch Media

While the South suffocates and burns, the far north is popular. Therefore, Scandinavia attracts norway suffers surcontarism introduces tax new tourists with “coolcation” more than ever, these holidays in more temperate climates. Furthermore. Nevertheless, And it doesn’t norway suffers surcontarism introduces tax matter if the sea is fresh and the impressive mountains veiled with clouds.

However. Therefore. For example, the regions located on the outskirts or beyond the polar circle are designed not for mass tourism, but for personalized nature experiences.

As a result, Icelandic localities are invaded by thousands of cruise lines. Nevertheless, On the Lofoten Islands in Norway. Consequently. In addition, the trails leading to the emblematic places of Instagram are saturated, the narrow roads crowded with motorhomes and the mountains of garbage accumulate. For example. The increase in direct flights from the Mediterranean countries, but also from Switzerland to northern Norway, further worsens the situation.

The crowd frightens and irritates the norway suffers surcontarism introduces tax new inhabitants, who speak in the local media “invasion” and “state of crisis”.

Disrespectful visitors who norway suffers surcontarism introduces tax irritate – Norway suffers surcontarism introduces tax new

Originally from Vestvagoy. Moreover. Berit Storeide believes that visitors must be able to enjoy the beauty of the Lofoten, “but they must behave correctly”. This Norwegian now avoids certain magnificent sites which are completely crowded. Many residents regret the lack of respect for nature and private property.

Camping-cars park on the road to enjoy the view. and tents are mounted directly on idyllic beaches, sheep pastures or in gardens.

A Norwegian. couple on a beach isolated from the Lofoten Islands.Image: Imago

Tourists photograph through the windows of the salons and. for lack norway suffers surcontarism introduces tax of sufficient sanitary facilities, leave their excrement anywhere in the wild.

In the archipelago, the distribution of excrement bags has proven to be ineffective. Other problems concern essential services, such as the health system, ferries, businesses, mountain emergency services, the police … All are overwhelmed, to the detriment of the inhabitants, underlines the mayor Jonny Finstad.

Queue for a waterfall

One of the tracks envisaged to unclog the sites is to better distribute visitors. In the Faroese Islands. in order to prevent everyone from going to norway suffers surcontarism introduces tax new the same popular sites on social networks. rental cars are equipped with a GPS offering a personalized route to less known places. The driver undertakes in writing to follow this “surprise tour”.

Effective on still relatively preserved islands. norway suffers surcontarism introduces tax this system would be inapplicable in Iceland. where dozens of tourist buses converge every day towards the same destinations, and where to wait before a cascade has become usual.

Even in Tromso. city in the north of Norway better endowed with infrastructure. the authorities seek to encourage visitors to explore less frequented sites. There are not yet open protests against tourists. but, according to a survey, 77% of the inhabitants believe that the city welcomes too many visitors.

A tax to make the influx sustainable

Faced with complaints from the North. the Norwegian Parliament decided that from 2026. the municipalities will be able to establish a tax on hotel nights and cruise lines. A measure already in place in Iceland and the Faroeas. The FinStad mayor expresses his regrets:

With other elected officials from Lofoten. he also asked to restrict the right of everyone to freely access nature. A very controversial proposal, relating to a tradition that many Scandinavians consider obvious. But, estimates Jonny Finstad, mass tourism now decreases this right in his mind.

Translated from German by Joel Espi

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