Norway joins the tourist tax club as destinations in Europe fight back against visitors
As European cities grapple with overtourism, many have implemented tax hikes on tourists in an effort to curb the throngs of visitors.
Norway is the latest European country to introduce a tourist tax, allowing certain cities to introduce a 3% tax on overnight stays in "areas particularly affected by tourism," Euronews reported.
Officials passed the levy this past Thursday and will be allowed to adjust the tax percentage based on season.
Similar to what's occurred in other vacation destinations, the funds will help tourist infrastructure such as public bathroom facilities and parking areas.
Top summer attractions for tourists are places for hiking, places to experience nature such as fjords and mountains, water activities, and beach visits, according to Visit Norway's official site.
Many tourists are drawn to Norway to witness the Northern Lights.
Cecilie Myrseth, the minister of trade and industry in Norway, noted the "historic agreement" in a Facebook post.
"The scheme is voluntary and it applies to areas that have a particularly large [presence] of tourists. The tourism industry is also the future of Norway," Myrseth wrote.
It's "an industry that creates housing, happiness, good experiences, value creation and important jobs all over the country," she added.
"If the industry wants to grow, we depend on trust locally. We ensure that with this agreement."
Other international vacation destinations have implemented taxes in an effort to curb tourism, Fox News Digital has previously reported.
The Canary Islands, a group of Spanish islands off the coast of Africa, are seeking to implement a tax that would fund infrastructure projects to handle the numerous tourists that visit.
Greek officials, for example, are planning to impose a $22 tax on visitors cruising to Santorini or Mykonos.
Venice, Italy introduced a pilot program in 2024 to charge day-trippers a $5.17 (5 euros) entry fee and are now looking to double the tax.
And the Maldives in South Asia, known for its clear waters and luxury resorts, has raised a flight tax aimed at tourists leaving the islands.
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Protests Against Overtourism Are Erupting Across Europe—Here's What Travelers Need to Know
Recently, protests and walkouts have defined some of Europe's most popular cities. Employees at the Louvre Museum in Paris walked off the job, causing it to close. Protestors gathered en masse in Barcelona, cheering and holding signs that said things like 'mass tourism kills the city,' and wielding water guns—the images have become synonymous with the movement against overtourism. In Lisbon, people staged an 'eviction' from a church as a way to highlight the dramatically increased cost of living caused by the short-term rental market that springs up in popular tourist destinations. For travelers who have been planning, saving, and eagerly awaiting their European summer vacations, the demonstrations feel like the opposite of a warm welcome, and they can make a vacation seem like an ethical dilemma. This framework, local versus tourist, is nothing new, though. It's why some people try to draw the distinction between being a "tourist" and a "traveler." Getting to the bottom of these protests, and the feelings behind them is vital—for tourists, locals, and the cities at the center of the conversation. Here's what you need to know about overtourism. Protestors march during an anti-tourism protest on June 15, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. 'Overtourism is almost like too much of a good thing,' said Katy Nastro, a travel expert at Going, to Travel + Leisure . 'We tend to forget as travelers that these incredible places we love to visit have locals who live their day-to-day lives there. Communities have been cemented here long before these places gained popularity.' Once a location becomes a 'can't miss' destination, it can be hard to prepare for just what that means. 'In the case of these famous cities and sites, they unfortunately were not set up centuries ago to handle the type of traffic year after year,' Nastro said. The negative effects of a city becoming popular to visit are not as obvious as it is in natural environments, where you can see traces of trash or decimated wildlife. While beaches and forests might be obviously suffering from a lack of proper conservation, it can be harder to spot the stress that too many visitors can cause in cities. Helene Møgelhøj, a sustainable travel and regenerative tourism expert says that while locals will feel the impacts first, they will affect everyone—including tourists. 'In big cities, the effects of over tourism are not necessarily immediately obvious to the visitor, apart from perhaps congestion and overcrowding,' Møgelhøj said. 'However, for local people, a large increase in visitor numbers can lead to a shortage of affordable housing and general price increases at, for example, local restaurants.' In addition to increased costs and a decreased ability for locals to enjoy their own cities, overtourism puts an added burden on public infrastructure, which is usually funded by taxes. So, locals end up footing the bill for maintenance of a place they aren't able to enjoy fully because it is too expensive and too crowded to do so. However, locals often get messaging that tourism is good for the local economy, so they should be grateful, in a way. That's not inherently true—oftentimes, multinational corporations are the primary beneficiary of tourism spending, explains Møgelhøj. 'In today's global economy, many tourism and hospitality businesses are owned and run by multinationals,' she said. 'The vast majority of people do not benefit directly from an increase in visitor numbers. However, they may benefit from tourism indirectly through the so-called 'multiplier' effect, which means increased spending in the local economy overall due to tourism.' 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'It is crucial to have an effective destination management organization in place that represents the interests of local people as well as large multinational stakeholders,' Møgelhøj says. "The local government should be part of this, as well as the national government, which has an important role in terms of creating a positive and beneficial tourism policy and strategic framework.' There are examples of efforts like this, even in Spain, where some of the biggest anti-overtourism protests have taken place. 'Today in our most visited cities and resorts, we need measures in place so that we can maintain the balance between a thriving tourism industry and the wellbeing of residents, ensuring that tourism remains a positive force for good for all,' Manuel Butler, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London, told T+L in a statement. 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"In general, walk or cycle around and take the opportunity to explore the lesser-known areas of any destination that you visit," Møgelhøj said. "The most memorable experiences tend to be least planned and unexpected." This one is pretty self-explanatory, but being courteous and respectful of local culture and customs can go a long way in improving the experience of both tourists and locals. The best way not to be surprised by protests is to keep up with the news in the places you're traveling to. 'First and foremost, be aware if the city you are traveling to has planned or has had protests recently,' Nastro said. '... Follow local news organizations to stay the most up-to-date on when and where they may take place. [That's] going to give you more accurate and timely info than U.S.-based outlets.' It's always a good idea to have some emergency contacts on hand in case things go wrong on your trip—and it's never a bad idea to know where the local U.S. embassy is. Both Nastro and Møgelhøj advise planning trips in the "off season" of your destination. 'Traveling in the shoulder season, or even better, in the off-season, can be a great way to lessen the likelihood of encountering long lines at some of the world's most iconic sites,' Nastro said. If you're planning on visiting a popular attraction, try visiting during less busy times. Or, if you want to visit a popular tourist destination, Nastro recommends staying in a nearby town and making a day trip to the city to see the sights. Perhaps one of the direct and most impactful ways that you can be a "good" traveler is being intentional about where you spend your money. Nastro recommends staying in locally owned and operated hotels, buying from small vendors and artisans, and venturing outside of busy city centers to more rural, off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Yahoo
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The northern lights may be visible across parts of the U.S. on Monday, June 2, and potentially on Tuesday, June 3, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. While visibility will be limited for much of the country, states near the Canadian border will have the best chances of seeing the aurora borealis. Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan are most likely to experience the aurora. Visibility is expected to decrease on Tuesday, especially outside of Alaska. If you live farther south — looking at you, Arizona — your invite to the aurora party got lost in the magnetic mail. Here is everything to know where the northern lights be visible. While visibility will be low for most of the country, Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan have the highest chances of seeing the light show. There's even a slight possibility the aurora could stretch as far south as Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska Monday night. By Tuesday, visibility outside of Alaska drops, but some northern states could still catch a faint glimpse if skies are clear. The best time to view the northern lights tonight, Monday, June 2, is between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. This window offers the darkest skies, enhancing the visibility of the aurora borealis. Peak activity is anticipated around midnight, though exact timing can vary based on your location and local conditions. Once again, Arizona's left off the northern lights guest list, the northern lights will not be visible in Arizona tonight. The best months to see the northern lights are September through March, with peak viewing typically occurring in the heart of winter, from December to February. The northern lights are caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with Earth's atmosphere. When the sun releases a burst of energy, known as a solar wind or coronal mass ejection, these particles travel through space and interact with Earth's magnetic field, according to Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Follow @tiffsario on Instagram. Looking for the best things to do in Arizona? Sign up for our newsletter. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Here's where the northern lights will be visible tonight
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