Lawmakers Decide to Introduce 3% Accommodation Tax
Considering Levy on Cruise Ship Stays
Funds to Be Used for Infrastructure Improvements in Response to Overtourism
Norway, which has been considering the introduction of an accommodation tax in response to overtourism, has ultimately decided to implement such a tax.
On June 5 (local time), AFP reported that "Norwegian lawmakers have passed a bill imposing a 3% tax on accommodations," adding that "the tax could also apply to cruise ships docking in areas particularly affected by tourism." Norway set a record last year with 38.4 million overnight stays, more than 12 million of which were by foreign visitors. In Norway, the number of tourists increases in the summer as people seek to escape the heat, and in the winter as visitors come to see the aurora. The country's beautiful fjords are attracting an ever-growing number of visitors.
However, public restrooms and parking lots in some areas are overloaded, resulting in conflicts with local residents. Norway has decided that the funds collected from the tax will be used exclusively to improve tourism infrastructure.
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