Norway Considers Cruise-Only Tax Amid Tourism Debate

In the ongoing debate over how to manage growing tourism in Norway, the country's Parliament is now leaning toward implementing a tax focused solely on cruise tourism, according to recent reports from Norwegian media.

This decision marks a shift away from the government’s original proposal, which called for a broader tax covering the entire travel sector, including hotels and general tourism.

The discussion has intensified as Norway experiences a rise in tourist numbers, particularly from cruise ships, private vehicles, and camper vans. The influx has placed strain on local infrastructure, especially in small northern villages where facilities are often inadequate to handle the surge.

Lawmakers are expected to review the new cruise-specific tax proposal in the coming week. If approved, the legislation would impose a tax on cruise visitors and include a separate tourist levy for Svalbard.

At this stage, specific information regarding the rate of the tax or its implementation timeline has not been disclosed.