Latest news with #Myrseth
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Popular cruise line destination finds new way to tax visitors
The tourist tax, or a percentage that temporary visitors either see added to their hotel bill or pay directly upon entering the country, started out as a joke but has quickly spread over the last five years to many nations, seeing spikes in tourism. Popular European cities like Amsterdam and Valencia have been adding such a tax to hotel and rental property stays for years while Thailand, New Zealand, Bali and Portugal are some of the new destinations that have recently imposed, raised or are considering it was once considered a remote and off-the-beaten-path destination, the Nordic nation of Norway has also been grappling with tourist numbers higher than its industry can handle. In 2024, the country saw a record 16.7 million overnight visits in the summer months while many also come to Norway on cruise lines like Norwegian () and Royal Caribbean () -owned Celebrity. On April 13, Norway's Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth confirmed that a bill currently before the Norwegian parliament would charge 3% of the cost of one's hotel or other overnight stay. Lawmakers initially proposed 6%, but the number was eventually lowered amid outcry that it would deter tourism from parts of the country that need proposed tax is being written as an optional charge that municipalities can choose to either implement or not. "We know not every municipality needs this, but in high-pressure areas, it's about building trust between the local population and visitors," Myrseth said in an interview with local broadcaster NRK, Fellow Nordic country Iceland has instituted a similar tax in 2024 to offset the impact that high visitor numbers were having on remote areas. Wales has argued that their version of the tax should go toward preserving and promoting the use of Welsh, a Celtic language that has been in rapid decline over the last two decades. "Most of our guests visit our unspoiled nature and obviously that creates a pressure." then-Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir said in an interview with Bloomberg Television when the tax was first being proposed in 2023. More on travel:Government issues new travel advisory on popular beach destination Another country just issued a new visa requirement for visitors While Norway's tax would not affect cruise ship travelers who are spending the night on the ship rather than in local accommodation, a large number of Norwegian visitors book tours to see the fjords and get their first entry to the country in this way. Norway reported just under seven million cruise ship visitors in 2024, while higher projections are expected for 2025 and beyond. Popular European ports like Dubrovnik and Nice have struggled with cruise-related overtourism in particular and have imposed restrictions specific to the size of the ship that can enter. The latter French city has now officially banned liners carrying more than 900 passengers or larger than 190 meters from docking in the port city of 354,000 permanent residents starting from July 1. Mayor Christian Estrosi has controversially framed it as "pollut[ing] and dump[ing[ their low-cost clientele who consume nothing but leave their waste behind."
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Is Norway introducing a visitor tax? Here's all we know about its proposal to tackle overtourism
Norway has updated its plans for a visitor tax that hopes to tackle the negative effects of overtourism. The government has announced it is lowering the proposed fee that local authorities will be able to charge tourists. Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth has confirmed the tax will now be three per cent of the cost of an overnight stay - instead of five per cent. Norway is experiencing a surge in arrivals as holidaymakers seek cooler climes, hitting a record-breaking 16.7 million overnight stays during the summer months of 2024. Norway's tourist tax will be an optional charge that can be levied at the discretion of local authorities. The revenue will be used to fund projects that will benefit both residents and tourists, such as maintaining hiking trails and installing public toilets. If implemented by a municipality, the levy will apply to visitors staying in all overnight accommodation, including hotels, hostels, campsites and short-term rentals. Local authorities can also adjust the fee depending on the season, Myrseth confirmed. 'It is not the case that we have year-round tourism throughout the country, but in some places, there are parts of the year that are particularly demanding, and the expenses that the residents have to pay for are particularly high,' Myserth told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. At the moment, there is no fixed date for the introduction of the visitor fee, though reports say it may come in as early as this summer. The government still needs to have the bill detailing the tax approved by parliament, but several parties appear to be in opposition to the new levy. The travel and tourism branch of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) has warned it could put tourists off visiting the destination. Related 'Tourism has reached its limit': Barcelona votes to raise tourist tax from October 'An excess of tourism': Lake Como to introduce daytripper fee to curb visitor numbers 'We are now in a very serious situation. Introducing the tourist tax now is, in any case, madness,' a spokesperson from the NHO told NRK earlier this week. The proposed tax has also been criticised for only targeting overnight visitors, leaving cruise passengers, day-trippers, and campervanners staying overnight in free public areas not required to pay. Opponents argue that these are some of the most damaging kinds of visitors, particularly in frequently overwhelmed cruise destinations like the Lofoten Islands and Geiranger fjord. The Norwegian government has been mulling the introduction of a tourist tax for several years in reaction to surging visitor numbers. Sweltering temperatures in traditional summer destinations like Italy and Spain are driving a trend for 'coolcations' in northern Europe. Bolstering this is the rising interest in experiencing after-dark phenomena - dubbed 'noctourism' - such as the northern lights. Norway is considered one of the best places for aurora-chasing, and the celestial spectacle is proving to be particularly visible in 2025.
Euronews
11-04-2025
- Euronews
Is Norway introducing a visitor tax? Here's all we know about its proposal to tackle overtourism
ADVERTISEMENT Norway has updated its plans for a visitor tax that hopes to tackle the negative effects of overtourism. The government has announced it is lowering the proposed fee that local authorities will be able to charge tourists. Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth has confirmed the tax will now be three per cent of the cost of an overnight stay - instead of five per cent. Norway is experiencing a surge in arrivals as holidaymakers seek cooler climes, hitting a record-breaking 16.7 million overnight stays during the summer months of 2024. Norway is bringing in a tourist tax Norway 's tourist tax will be an optional charge that can be levied at the discretion of local authorities. The revenue will be used to fund projects that will benefit both residents and tourists, such as maintaining hiking trails and installing public toilets. If implemented by a municipality, the levy will apply to visitors staying in all overnight accommodation, including hotels, hostels, campsites and short-term rentals. Local authorities can also adjust the fee depending on the season, Myrseth confirmed. 'It is not the case that we have year-round tourism throughout the country, but in some places, there are parts of the year that are particularly demanding, and the expenses that the residents have to pay for are particularly high,' Myserth told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. When will travellers have to pay Norway's tourist tax? At the moment, there is no fixed date for the introduction of the visitor fee, though reports say it may come in as early as this summer. The government still needs to have the bill detailing the tax approved by parliament, but several parties appear to be in opposition to the new levy. The travel and tourism branch of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) has warned it could put tourists off visiting the destination. Related 'Tourism has reached its limit': Barcelona votes to raise tourist tax from October 'An excess of tourism': Lake Como to introduce daytripper fee to curb visitor numbers 'We are now in a very serious situation. Introducing the tourist tax now is, in any case, madness,' a spokesperson from the NHO told NRK earlier this week. The proposed tax has also been criticised for only targeting overnight visitors, leaving cruise passengers, day-trippers, and campervanners staying overnight in free public areas not required to pay. Opponents argue that these are some of the most damaging kinds of visitors, particularly in frequently overwhelmed cruise destinations like the Lofoten Islands and Geiranger fjord. ADVERTISEMENT Norway is experiencing a tourism surge The Norwegian government has been mulling the introduction of a tourist tax for several years in reaction to surging visitor numbers. Sweltering temperatures in traditional summer destinations like Italy and Spain are driving a trend for 'coolcations' in northern Europe . Bolstering this is the rising interest in experiencing after-dark phenomena - dubbed 'noctourism' - such as the northern lights. Norway is considered one of the best places for aurora-chasing, and the celestial spectacle is proving to be particularly visible in 2025. ADVERTISEMENT
Local Norway
17-03-2025
- Business
- Local Norway
Norway's trade minister says country unlikely to issue tariffs on US goods
Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth said introducing tariffs and counter-tariffs against the US wouldn't benefit the country. 'The government's starting point is that Norway would not benefit from escalating a trade conflict, for example, by responding with tariff increases on American goods,' she said to parliament on Monday. 'Our message to the US is that increased trade barriers are not in anyone's interest in the long run, and that the global economy will lose from a comprehensive trade conflict,' she added. She said that tariffs on Norwegian goods were possible and that the government would try to ensure Norway wasn't subject to US tariffs. Myrseth said that while trade with the US only accounted for 3 percent of goods exports from Norway and 8 percent of mainland exports, the US was an important trading partner for Norway. 'Examples of exports to the US are oil and gas, seafood, offshore technology, construction machinery, furniture and metals,' she said. 'In addition, Norwegian companies are deeply integrated into international value chains that produce for the American market. In other words, the United States represents a larger end market than direct exports would suggest,' the minister added. She described the uncertainty and unpredictability surrounding a potential large-scale trade conflict as 'serious'. Myrseth said she was also in touch with the business community regarding tariffs. The Norwegian government was in constant contact with the EU in regards to the country being subject to any counter-tariffs against non-members, she added. Advertisement While not an EU member, Norway is part of the European Economic Area. The EEA Agreement gives Norway access to the EU's single market, but not the customs union – meaning tariffs against non-members, theoretically, could apply to the Nordic country. US President Donald Trump has imposed or announced tariffs against a number of countries in a bid to try to balance the US's trade balance with other countries. Around 600,000 jobs in Norway are linked to exports, and economists have warned that a trade war could lead to higher prices, increased unemployment, and create challenges for the central bank. READ ALSO: How a trade war could affect consumers in Norway
Bloomberg
14-03-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Norway's Trade Minister Myrseth Works to Win EU Tariff Exemption
Norway's Trade Minister Cecilie Myrseth met with European Union officials as the Nordic country seeks an exemption to any broad protective tariff the bloc could levy as a response to a US initiated trade war. 'There is a lot of uncertainty, but the EU knows our position very well,' Myrseth said by phone on Friday. She met EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic a day earlier to argue on behalf of Norway, but secured no concrete promises of exemption, she said.
