Weak krone gives rise to tourism – In Vesterålen they are fully booked – news Nordland

Tourists are flocking to Norway, figures from NHO Reiseliv show. There is particularly good news for Ringstad Resort in Vesterålen. When everything shut down due to the corona pandemic, they chose to build out the entire hotel for around NOK 70 million. – It was a bit tough in the years immediately afterwards, but now it’s going well. Now it’s full speed ahead, says general manager Ann Karina Jakobsen. – 2023 has been a fantastic tourist season. We have had a fantastic winter season, and the summer season is mostly fully booked. General manager at Ringstad resort, Ann Karina Jakobsen. Photo: Helge Lyngmoe / news The tourists brave both weather and wind to experience mountains, fjords and not least – sea eagles. And the weak krona is not a problem either. – We have a very large increase compared to last year. Last year, many Norwegians left the country, while foreigners came here. This year, everyone is coming, says Jakobsen. news has previously written about how the weak Norwegian krone means that foreign tourists get more for their money in Norway, while it is also cheaper for Norwegians to remain in the country. Most come from Northern Europe 7 out of 10 report the same booking level as last year, or even better, according to NHO Reiseliv’s member survey for June. Vestland and Rogaland stand out and 84 per cent report more bookings than last year. Nordland is in third place with 36 percent. The majority of the foreign tourists who come are from the Nordic countries and the rest of Northern Europe, but there is also a good proportion from southern parts of Europe, the USA and Asia, states NHO Reiseliv. Expecting bad weather in Norway One of those who have made the trip to Vesterålen and Ringstad Resort is Sandrine Mengis. She talks about low temperatures and a lot of rainfall. But the fact that the weather should be on the modest side did not come as a surprise to the French tourists. – If you go to Norway on holiday, you know it will be cold. Although Mengdis says that they have experienced all types of weather in one day and that it has cost the shirt, she is very happy that she came – and will gladly return. – It is more beautiful than we thought it would be. This is the only place you can see this. I want my kids to see it too. a place without people. Sandrine Mengis and her traveling companion on an eagle safari. Photo: Helge Lyngmoe / news – We see an increased interest Managing Director of North Norwegian Tourism, Trond Øverås, is not surprised by NHO’s figures – We see an increased interest in many of the foreign markets, but also in the Norwegian market. He also points out that the weak krona attracts more tourists than before. Now that Northern Norway is in the wind, he believes it is important to strike while the iron is hot. – We are constantly working on profiling Northern Norway and the opportunities we have to offer as a year-round travel destination. Photo: Karl Biehl / news



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