NORWAY TO INTRODUCE 'TOURIST TAX' DUE TO VISITOR NUMBERS

Image

It is reported that a 'tourist tax' will be implemented in tourism-affected areas in Norway.

In Norway, members of parliament have approved a new tax that allows municipalities to impose a 3 percent tax on overnight stays in 'tourism-affected areas'. The law allows local governments to implement the tax at their discretion. Funds collected from the tax will be used to improve tourism infrastructure projects that benefit both visitors and locals. Municipalities will need to prove that their facilities are inadequate and have their plans approved by the government in order to spend the funds.

Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth said in a social media statement that her government had reached a 'historic agreement' to introduce a tourism tax 'in line with the rest of Europe'.