More American tourists come to Norway. Visit Bergen’s director of tourism, Anders Nyland, believes that the heat wave affecting southern Europe is to blame. – The Americans have learned in the news that southern Europe is characterized by a heat wave and forest fires, and they do not want to learn about that. They still want to visit Europe, and then they look north towards Norway. – We notice increased interest from American tour operators who want to send guests here, Nyland. Most tourists are not bothered by the rainy weather. – The tourists who come here are not on holiday in the sun, so it’s fine if it rains a little. They have read up on the countryside, and are prepared for the fact that it can get wet here. Tourism director at Visit Bergen, Anders Nyland, notices an increased interest in visiting Norway from the Americans. Photo: Malin Askevold Helle / news Worried about climate change Married couple Margorie and James Hilliard from Chicago in the state of Illinois are on holiday in Bergen. – In the 19th century, my family migrated from Norway to the USA, so I wanted to come here to see where they came from, and to see the fjords, says Margorie. – I have heard a lot of good things about the country, and I have enjoyed myself here so far, says James. The weather doesn’t bother Margorie and James Hilliard, who have put on several layers of clothing. Photo: Malin Askevold Helle / news The couple think it is scary that you can see climate change in the form of a heat wave in southern Europe. – Climate change is a major concern around the world, and it is scary. Then it’s nice to come to places like Norway where it’s colder, says Margorie, and adds: – It’s nice to be here, and we appreciate that we can travel without the weather stopping us. – We would have been disappointed if it hadn’t rained. The rain hasn’t put an end to the holidays for the Americans, on the contrary. – We would have been disappointed if it hadn’t rained, says Randy Breedlove from North Carolina in the USA. Breedlove has traveled to Norway with his wife Jill Joyner, who has grandparents from Bergen. – We knew it was going to rain and be wet, so we came prepared, and it’s not a problem, says Joyner, adding: – In North Carolina it’s hot and humid, so this is fantastic! For Randy Breedlove and Jill Joyner, the rainy weather in Bergen is a lovely contrast to the heat at home in North Carolina. Photo: Therese G. Pisani / news Breedlove can confirm that they have heard a lot about the heat wave in southern Europe on the news in the USA. – We heard a lot about how hot it was before we left, especially in Italy. So we were glad we came to Norway. The couple are on a guided bike tour in Bergen, led by Knut Aarbakke, who is the general manager of Norway Active. He also notices that tourists come north because of the weather – I think people come here because the Norwegian krone is weak, and because of the weather, he says. Knut Aarbake is general manager of Norway Active, here he is a guide for tourists on cycle tours. Photo: Therese G. Pisani / news A trend that will persist The cold summer did not scare the tourists away this year, and there are many indications that this is a trend that will persist. – Our contacts in the USA report a very strong interest in Norway in both 2424 and 2025, says Nyland. We can therefore expect to see more Americans in this country in the coming years. – The feedback we get from the USA is that Norway and the Nordic countries are trending in their markets. There are many tourists to see at Bryggen in Bergen on this gray July day. Photo: Malin Askevold Helle / news
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The heat wave in southern Europe brings American tourists to Norway – news Vestland
