Tourists flock to the northern winter destinations

#NordicNews on destinations

Rising tourism offers opportunities and raises concerns at the same time

The northern regions of Norway, Sweden and Finland are seeing a sharp increase in tourists taking selfies against the breathtaking backdrop of the Arctic.

In January, Tromsø reported a 126% increase in international air passengers compared to the same month in 2023, due to heavy snowfall and cold weather. Gaute Skallerud Riise from Avinor noted the increased interest in Norway's winter offerings. Tromsø is now served by direct flights from 20 European cities, reflecting the growing demand for Northern Norway.

Similar trends can be seen in Norrbotten, Sweden, where winter tourism is expected to increase by 9 % by 2023.

Rovaniemi, the Finnish center of winter tourism, is expecting a 30% increase in the 2023/24 season. In both Rovaniemi and Tromsø, concerns are being raised about the environmental impact and possible solutions such as a tourist tax or voluntary payments are being discussed. Following an incident in Tromsø, the need for additional public toilets at tourist stops is emphasized.

More on the rush of tourists in the north.

Header: © Daniel Vogel Unsplash