– The traffic is above the 2019 level, and it was a top year for us, says general manager of the Preikestolen and Lysefjorden Utvikling Foundation, Helge Kjellevold. 109,793 visitors have been to the Pulpit Rock in the first half of 2022. That is over 7,000 more than there were in the record year 2019 at the same time. “The visit to the Pulpit Rock, Norway’s most visited nature attraction, is in many ways a picture of the traffic development in the industry,” writes Lysefjorden Utvikling in a press release. – The tourists are back again. Maybe faster than we had thought, says Kjellevold. The general manager of Lysefjorden Utvikling, Helge Kjellevold, is happy that so many will go to the tops in Lysefjorden. Photo: Magnus Stokka / news Record on record in the Lysefjord The growth is not only shown on the Pulpit Rock. There have also been several visitors to Kjerag and Flørlitrappene. While there were just over 9,000 who had climbed Kjerag at the same time in 2019, almost 14,000 have gone to the same peak this year. For the Flørlit stairs, the growth is a little less, 4053 in 2022 against 3975, has tried its hand at 4444 steps. – What explanation do you see for the growth? – It’s probably a combination of a lot. Norway appears to be a good and safe country. Proximity to the continent. For example, we have a new ferry connection, directly from the Netherlands to Kristiansand. We see that this has had a great effect, says Kjellevold. Many went in the spring Based on the statistics made by Lysefjorden Utvikling, it can be seen that there was great growth, especially in the spring months of March, April and May. There were 20.5 percent more visitors to the Pulpit Rock in these months in 2022 compared to 2019. The company writes that they see this growth as gratifying, because it may mean that the season is extended. However, the most visited months are coming now. July and August. – How are the expectations now? – We expect July and August to be at the 2019 level, so we hope for growth this autumn as well, says Kjellevold. On 23 July 2019, there was a queue up at the pulpit. 2019 was the previous record year for the summit in the Lysefjord, but this year there have been even more who have taken the trip. Photo: Kaj Hjertenes / news NHO Reiseliv: Short trip even after the pandemic While a record number go up the mountains in the Lysefjord, NHO Reiseliv has looked at the trends in a national perspective. – Cabin holidays and outdoor life have long characterized the Norwegian summer holidays, and it will always be popular among us Norwegians. But we Norwegians have broadened our horizons. We want fantastic nature and cultural experiences. Enjoy good food and wine. We want to go on a city break in our own country. And we want to swim, says Kristin Krohn Devold, CEO of NHO Reiseliv. According to a survey they have conducted, 2 out of 3 Norwegians say that they will holiday in Norway this summer. During the pandemic years, NHO Reiseliv believes that Norwegian destinations have strengthened in several ways. – The survey shows that Norway as a destination has strengthened with a more varied offer, and that short-distance experiences in Norway are an increasing trend, Krohn Devold concludes. Kristin Krohn Devold, CEO of NHO Reiseliv. Photo: Oda Hveem / NHO Reiseliv
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– The tourists are back. Faster than we had thought – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
