Norway levies tourism tax: accommodation now more expensive!

Norway levies tourism tax: accommodation now more expensive!

Norway is set to introduce a new tourism levy aimed at regulating excessive tourism and relieving pressure on the infrastructure of popular destinations. In 2024, the country recorded a record number of overnight stays with a total of 38.6 million tourist overnight stays. This creates a number of challenges for communities, particularly in heavily visited regions.

Parliament has passed a law allowing municipalities in busy areas to impose a tax of up to three percent per night on hotels and private accommodation, including Airbnb. According to the regulations, the proceeds from this tax may only be used to finance public institutions that are related to tourism. However, the municipalities must prove that their infrastructure is currently inadequate in order to justify the introduction of a tourist tax. These plans must also be approved by the government.

Problems caused by excessive tourism

The increase in tourism has led to serious problems with sanitation infrastructure in popular tourist locations. Local residents report in the media various problems associated with the mass influx of tourists, including inappropriate behavior such as defecating in gardens. Concerns about the quality of life of the residents are growing, while at the same time the attractiveness of the regions for tourists should be maintained.

In addition to the new levy, a tax on cruise ships calling at Norwegian ports is also being considered. This could provide an additional source of income for municipalities that are also struggling with the challenges of tourism. However, the hotel sector has expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed levy and fears that it could have negative consequences for tourism in Norway.

The decision to introduce a tourism tax reflects the Norwegian government's desire to master the balancing act between a growing tourism sector and maintaining a functioning and pleasant living environment for the local population. Norway is thus taking an unusual but necessary step in managing its tourism resources.

Further information on this topic can be found at stern.de and kleinezeitung.at.