Norway’s governing Labor Party has done a U-turn in its thinking on its tourism tax proposals in the face of wide opposition from towns and the tourism industry.
The new plan will apply the tax to cruise passengers and campervan visitors, both exempt under previous plans. In addition, the planned tax will be applied only in northern Norway, with a two-year trial before a possible national rollout.
The initial plan drew criticism because of those exemptions, which critics felt unfairly burdened hotels, campsites, and Airbnb providers while exempting the very groups they most associated with over-tourism: cruise passengers and campervan tourists.
It is still possible, despite the revisions, that the bill will not gain a majority in Parliament.
Photo by Joeri Mombers on Unsplash
