– Last year there were not as many tourists. This year there have been quite a few. For example, there were many fewer Swiss last year than this year, says Lisabeth Strand Kvale. The eleven-year-old works as a receptionist at Alta Strand Camping & Apartments in Alta in Finnmark. Her tasks involve standing in the checkout to welcome guests, washing, taking out the rubbish and much more, she says. She has worked at the campsite almost all her life. – The first time I was here with my grandfather was when I was three years old, says Lisabeth. This summer she has got extra to do, because tourists are flocking like never before. It was the newspaper iFinnmark that wrote about the young receptionist first. Lisabeth knows a little German and English, and thus manages to talk to most people who visit the campsite she works at. Photo: Christina Gjertsen / news A quarter of a million more than in 2019 This year, there is a large influx of campsites in Norway, both by Norwegian and foreign tourists. Figures from Statistics Norway (SSB) show that compared to the same period in 2019, before the pandemic, the campsites throughout the country have around 250,000 more overnight stays in 2022. According to the head of the camping department at NHO Reiseliv, Jan-Henrik Larsen, the good season for the campsites will continue. – The indications are that it will go very well this summer because many have pre-orders. It is fully booked in several places, and it is from both Norwegians and foreign guests, he says. Jan-Henrik Larsen says this year’s camping season has started very well. Photo: Per Sollerman / NHO Reiseliv,, Per Sollerman The season never started so early Although most Norwegians visit, the owner of the campsite in Alta notices that more foreign tourists are coming now than before. – The traffic was noticeable already around 20 May, in contrast to the beginning of June, which has been the real thing. I have never experienced the same occupancy so early in the season as this year, says Folke Strand. Strand says that several tourists come with their own accommodation in the form of a motorhome, and that this goes beyond the cabin rental with very many. – Sales of motorhomes have increased. You can hardly get a new motorhome anymore today, since the demand is so great, he says. Lisabeth is helping her grandfather at the campsite this summer – just as she has been doing for the past eight years. Photo: Christina Gjertsen / news Two of them are Leif Ström and his wife. They have finally been able to pack their motorhome and take the trip from Sweden to good camping opportunities in Norway. – The idea was that we would come for the first time three years ago, but then came the pandemic and then we could not go. Ström has just got the awning for the motorhome up and is knocking the plugs into the ground. He adds: – So now we have been waiting for two summers, this is the third time we are here. Finally, Leif Ström was able to park his motorhome at the campsite in Finnmark again. He and his wife are far from the only foreign tourists who have taken the trip to Norwegian campsites. Photo: Jonas Løken Estenstad / news Love all the personalities who come to visit The receptionist Lisabeth thinks it’s fun to work with her grandfather at his campsite. What she likes best is all the people – and personalities – she gets to meet. – For example, how people talk to each other and how they ask me about things. It’s a little fun to see how they take it when I’m standing here in the box, says the eleven – year – old.
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Big increase in camping tourists – receptionist Lisabeth (11) in Alta is ready for a busy season – news Troms and Finnmark
