Press

Now a number of politicians are suggesting the implementation of a tourist tax to help local communities deal with the influx of visitors. Local Nordland party leaders of the Socialist Left Party, the Christian Democrats, the Liberals and the Red Party have backed a new tourist tax to finance the upkeep needed as a result of the growing tourist numbers. Spurring the call for a tourist tax is the method in which the Norwegian state transfers funds to local municipalities. The funding is largely based on the number of year-round residents, which means that tourist destinations like the Lofoten archipelago are at a significant disadvantage because its public infrastructure is worn down by tourists who are not factored in to the economic distribution. Free Repubic