The matter in summary: Urne’s stave church has experienced a decline in tourist numbers this season. The local population is satisfied with fewer tourists, which has led to a calmer and more pleasant summer. Measures such as extra toilets, increased ticket prices and delimitation of buses have contributed to better control and less chaos. The number of visitors from cruise ships has decreased, and it is these groups that create the most pressure. At Ornes, they are not worried that the measure will lead to a decline in tourism, and plan to continue the measure. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Urnes stave church in Ornes is on the Unesco world heritage list, and is a popular tourist destination. The village has only 34 permanent residents, and many of them work in tourism. Last year, 25,000 tourists came to the tiny village by the Sognefjord. At Ornes, the local population runs a café and guides the tourists. There will also be a world heritage centre. Photo: Ann Beate EIKås Hovland The local population is therefore tired of the tourists and the various inventions they bring with them. Among these, poo and toilet paper between apple trees is one that did not fall into good soil. The Past Memorial Association, which owns the church, had to take action before this year’s season. They installed an extra toilet on the quay, increased the ticket price to the church and limited the number of buses to one per hour with a maximum of 25 people. At the ferry quay, they have set up an extra toilet. Photo: Ann Beate Eikås Hovland – It goes without saying that when there are bus after bus with well over 40 people, there are quite a few heads to keep track of. That’s what Rakel Optun Skagen tells us. She is a permanent resident of Ornes, and a guide in the stave church. – It is typical for cruise tourists that they have a very bad time. They are going to church, then they are going to the bathroom. And then they caught off guard again, says Emilie Winther Berg. Rakel Optun Skagen and Emilie Winther Berg are satisfied with how the measure has worked. Photo: Ann Beate Eikås Hovland So how did it go? The guides feel that the tourists have been more relaxed this year. There has been less chaos in the small courtyard that receives the visitors. The measure has meant that they have more time to take care of those who actually come. And how they should behave. They have simply gained better control. Ola Harald Fjeldheim in the Historical Society says that Urnes stave church has had a 15 percent drop in visitors this season. They are quite happy with that, even if it means a loss of income. – The association that operates loses money because the number of visitors drops, but the most important thing for us is that we take care of the church and the local community. Because that is what will last forever. Ola Harald Fjeldheim from Fortidsminneforeninga Photo: Fortidsminneforeninga He says that the feedback from the local population is that it has been a good season, with quieter and more orderly settings. They point to the fact that visitors from cruise ships have decreased, and that it is these groups in particular that come in large numbers and create the most pressure. Monica Berstad from Cruise Norway says that there could be several reasons why Ornes has had a decline in tourism this year. Among other things, she points to the change in the cruise ship industry and the work towards zero emissions as possible reasons why some tourist destinations are experiencing a change in visitor numbers and patterns. – We encourage everyone who welcomes visitors to places with cultural treasures to have a clear visit plan and strategy for the visitors. Are not afraid of the future Increased tourism to Norway has caused problems in several places in the country. Also in Tromsø and Lofoten there have been various defecation problems from tourists. At Ornes, they are not worried that the measure will lead to a decline in tourism. – I do not think that the number of visitors is consistently on the way down. It probably has a lot to do with the delimitation we saw this year, and it is the first year we have that delimitation, says Rakel Optun Skagen. She is happy that the measures have worked as they intended, and says that there is now more space for tourists who do not come by cruise. German Werner Reich and his wife travel by motorhome and came by ferry to see the stave church. – We love the country and nature. But we don’t like many people in one city. German Werner Reich visiting Urnes Stavkyrkje. Photo: Ann Beate Eikås Hovland He and his wife deliberately chose to travel here now to avoid the large crowds. He himself is concerned that tourists take responsibility when they visit such places. – It is important that people take what they have with them, and have respect for the place they visit. Ola Harald Fjeldheim in the Historical Memory Association says that they will continue the measures going forward, and continue the work of welcoming visitors in a way that safeguards the stave church and the local population. Part of this work will be to make arrangements for other groups to gain access to the cultural treasure. Published 28.09.2024, at 07.47
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Cheering for fewer tourists at Ornes – news Vestland
