The play of colors in the sky attracts tourists from all over the world to Tromsø. But Northern Lights tourism also has its disadvantages. Now, Northern Norway Is preparing for the Northern Lights Tourism.
The Northern Lights have become Tromsø’s green gold. Tourists come in droves to chase the impressive play of colors in the sky. It has become a separate branch of tourism. The city is transformed into a metropolis with buses and people everywhere. And the result is, among other things, that prices rise.
The Northern Lights can be seen when the sky is clear and dark, and the optimal conditions are usually when the weather is cold and dry. Between mid-September until early April, these conditions might occur in Norway, above the Arctic Circle. If the weather is right, then, you must cross your fingers for a sun storm, sending out some magical particles in your direction.
But tourism focused on the Northern Lights in Northern Norway has both positive and negative impacts. Of course, Northern Lights tourism boosts the local economy, bringing income to remote areas through hotels, tours, restaurants, and shops. It creates jobs and supports local businesses, from tour operators to souvenir shops.
All leading to exorbitant prices for flights and hotel rooms, rental cars are barely affordable. The city center is buzzing with people, they flow in and out of souvenir shops and overpower the Raketten sausage kiosk as soon as it opens. On the way up the Fjellheisen, a favorite vantage point, watch out for groups of Spaniards, Thais and Malaysians waving their selfie sticks.
Tromsø can offer good viewing but on most nights, you will need to head out of town each evening to avoid the light pollution. Be prepared to travel by car or bus each evening to a clear location in the outlying areas. Remember, you can’t take the lights for granted – it is, after all, a natural phenomenon, just like the weather and it requires a collision between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the atmosphere of the earth for the lights to occur.
But when the Northern Lights occur with their vibrant hues of green, pink, and violet, dancing across the star-studded sky, they create a natural theater of unparalleled beauty. It’s not just a visual experience—it’s an emotional one, where you can’t help but feel connected to the vast universe above.
When English actor Joanna Lumbley came to Tromsø in 2009 to make a BBC documentary about the Eurora Borealis, she burst into a tearful monologue upon seeing the phenomenon.
Traditionally, tourism in Northern Norway was primarily during the summer, but Northern Lights tourism extends the season into fall and winter, helping businesses operate year-round. The dream for many chasing the Northern Lights is to see “dancing red corona”. Because the red Northern Lights are rarer and are therefore higher valued than the green. A corona is when it looks like the Northern Lights explode in a star formation.
Natural wonders, fjords and glaciers, and Northern Lights are the most sought-after search terms when foreigners consider a trip to Norway.
During the Northern Lights tourist season, the days are cold and dark and typically there will be a good cover of snow. To find the best tour to see the Northern Lights during winter, you should think of what you would like to do during the day and go from there. If you would like to meet locals, perhaps join a tour staying with local reindeer herders or a rural farm retreat. If you want to cozy up in a lodge with outdoor hot tubs and luxury living, consider a lodge stay.
Northern Lights tourism offers much more than just Aurora hunting. Depending on your chosen package tour, you could find yourself gliding through snowy landscapes on a dog sledding expedition, where the only sounds are the soft crunch of snow underfoot and the cheerful barks of your faithful husky team. If the luck is on your side, the Northern Lights will make a dramatic appearance, reflecting off the icy waters near the Arctic Circle.
Tourists interested in the aurora borealis often learn about local Sami culture and Arctic wildlife, helping to spread awareness of unique regional cultures and traditions.
So why exactly Tromsø? “For the vast majority, the Northern Lights are just one of several reasons why they come,” says Lone Helle, director of Visit Tromsø-Region. The local tourism manager points out that Tromsø is easily accessible and has many offers. As well as great scenery and a good location in the middle of the Northern Lights oval.
Social media have also contributed to people’s interest in the Northern Lights. In 2013, Magnus Joki Arild started the website Tromsolove to promote the charming sides of Tromsø. The site has gained thousands of followers from all over the world. But he is also aware of the disadvantages of the aurora borealis tourism.
Increased tourism can lead to waste, pollution, and physical damage to fragile Arctic ecosystems. More people traveling by car or plane increases greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the very climate change that threatens the Arctic environment.
Remote regions, like the areas around Tromsø, have limited infrastructure, and a surge of tourists strains local resources, like waste management systems, fresh water, and medical facilities.
Human presence and associated activities (such as vehicle traffic, noise, and light pollution) affect local wildlife, including reindeer, foxes, and migratory birds.
Over-reliance on winter tourism for the Northern Lights can create economic vulnerability if interest wanes or if unpredictable weather affects visibility.
In the worst instances, rapidly growing tourism can lead to cultural shifts, with local traditions and practices potentially being simplified or commercialized to meet tourist expectations, impacting the authenticity of the culture.
Northern Norway Is Preparing for the Northern Lights Tourism – Conclusion
To maximize benefits and minimize drawbacks, sustainable practices are essential, such as promoting responsible tourism, protecting natural areas, and involving the local community in decision-making. Northern Norway can benefit significantly from this tourism while still preserving its unique culture and environment with thoughtful management.
Northern Norway Is Preparing for the Northern Lights Tourism, written by Tor Kjolberg