According to Innovation Norway Tourism there are many reasons to visit Norway. Among them are the low exchange rate, a safe and beautiful destination with several adventure opportunities, easy access and low oil price. Norway – worth a visit.
“In 2015 there were31.6 million international tourist arrivals at Norwegian hotels,” says senior advisor Margrethe Helgebostad in Innovation Norway. “The solid growth is largely due to the 13% increase in holiday overnight stays.”
There are different ways of reporting the number of tourist arrivals. Some countries use border crossings, but the vast majority use, as Norway, foreign tourist arrivals at commercial accommodation providers.
The Norwegian krone depreciated against many currencies, including the euro, pound and US dollar in 2014 and 2015, which benefited the tourism industries in Norway. From July 2014 to July 2015 Norway’s ability to compete improved by 11%.
For the first time since 2010, there has been an increase in the number of foreign guest nights, in both the summer and the winter season. Eastern Norway, Northern Norway and Trøndelag represent solid relative growth in the winter season, while the fjord counties saw the largest growth during the summer season.
The increase is due to several factors. Around 40% of the increase can be attributed to Innovation Norway’s expansion of the Tourism Survey to include tourists on Hurtigruten.
More tourists visited Norway in 2015 than in 2014, and surveys show that the vast majority was very satisfied with their stay. Regardless of where the tourists come from, they would highly recommend a holiday in Norway to others.
On the whole, the tourists from most markets rated their holiday in Norway more highly than the tourists in 2014. British, American and Danish tourists in particular are more enthusiastic in 2015.
The average age of people who holidayed in Norway rose by one year from 47.6 years in 2014 to 49 years in 2015.
Perceptions of Norway as a holiday destination
Fjords, mountains and natural phenomena top the list of things people associate with Norway.
Innovation Norway conducts weekly surveys in several foreign countries, asking people about their perception of Norway as a holiday destination and likelihood that they will travel to Norway on holiday.
Among other things, the respondents are asked to write down the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Norway as a tourist destination and holiday experiences in Norway. They are then asked to give their opinion on a number of statements related to holidaying in Norway.
The strongest association that most people have to Norway is fjords. Many people also think of Norway as being a good place to pursue outdoor activities.
Interesting culture, history and city life are receiving more positive statements in 2015 compared to 2014.
According to Helgebostad all tourism operators expect a growth also in 2017. Incoming companies expect a growth of 9.9%.
About Innovation Norway
Innovation Norway is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (51%) and the county authorities (49%).
Its objective is to be the Norwegian State’s and the county authorities main instrument for achieving value-creating business development throughout the country. With its nationwide network of offices, Innovation Norway is able to meet its customers in their business environment. Internationally, customers are served through offices in the most important markets worldwide.
The travel and tourism sector within Innovation Norway work to promote a nationwide tourist and tourism development throughout the whole country in order to increase the overall economic growth within this industry.
Feature image (on top) Hurtigruten.
All images (except where noted) Visit Norway / Innovation Norway
Norway – Worth a Visit, edited by Tor Kjolberg