Norway continues to attract increasing numbers of travelers to the far north – but with growing visitor numbers come growing challenges for the local population. Especially on the Lofoten Islands, where tourism has boomed in recent years, political action has now been taken: In June 2025, the Norwegian Parliament approved the introduction of a tourist tax.
Last year alone, the Lofoten Islands recorded nearly 724,000 overnight stays in commercial accommodations – in a region home to just 24,000 residents. Including camping and private rentals, the real number of visitors is significantly higher.
Overnight stays in Airbnb-style accommodations increased by more than 50%.With this surge come major strains: lack of public toilets, overcrowded roads, wild camping, and littering have become everyday issues. “Many arrive in old campers or with tents – with no facilities at all. Nature suffers, and in summer, the smell is unbearable,” one local told Swedish radio.
Mayors such as Einar Benjaminsen and Vidar Thom Benjaminsen took their case to Oslo – successfully. Municipalities that are heavily impacted by tourism will now be allowed to introduce an overnight tax. Initially, the tax will be a few euros per night, applicable to hotel guests and cruise ship passengers.
“We’ve been fighting for this tax for a long time. Finally, we no longer have to choose between renovating a school or cleaning up after tourists,” said Mayor Benjaminsen in an interview with Sveriges Radio.
The Lofoten Islands depend economically on tourism, but local sentiment is shifting. “Ten years ago, maybe 2% of locals didn’t want tourists – today it’s more like 25%,” says Benjaminsen.
In Oslo, an additional tax on Airbnb stays is already being discussed. This new visitor levy might just be the beginning – a necessary step toward making tourism more sustainable and socially balanced.
More on the taxes in Lofoten Islands.
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