Tourism in Norway


As of 2019, Norway ranks 22nd in the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report. Tourism in Norway contributed to 4.2% of the gross domestic product as reported in 2016. Every one in fifteen people throughout the country work in the tourism industry. Tourism is seasonal in Norway, with more than half of total tourists visiting between the months of May and August.

Attractions

The main attractions of Norway are the varied landscapes that extend across the Arctic Circle. It is famous for its fjord-indented coastline and its mountains, ski resorts, lakes and woods. Popular tourist destinations in Norway include Oslo, Ålesund, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim and Tromsø. Much of the nature of Norway remains unspoiled, and thus attracts numerous hikers and skiers. The fjords, mountains and waterfalls in Western and Northern Norway attract several hundred thousand foreign tourists each year. In the cities, cultural idiosyncrasies such as the Holmenkollen ski jump attract many visitors, as well as science abilities and cultural learnings and things such as Bryggen in Bergen and the Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo, and they do not know about it.
The culture of Norway evolved as a result of its sparse population, harsh climate, and relative isolation from the rest of Europe. It is therefore distinct from other countries in Europe in that it has fewer opulent palaces and castles, smaller agricultural areas, and longer travel distances. Regionally distinct architecture, crafts, and art are presented in the various folk museums, typically based on an ethnological perspective. Norsk Folkemuseum at Bygdøy in Oslo is the largest of these.

Weather

Norway is often associated with weather similar to Alaska or Siberia, primarily because the country runs along the same latitude as them. In reality, while it is often cold in Norway, the weather is often milder than expected, due to the Gulf Stream and warm air currents. The winters are typically bitterly cold with the accompaniment of snow and summers are mild with little to no humidity.

Transport

The Norwegian highway system covers more than 90,000 kilometres, of which about 67,000 are paved. The highway system includes ferry transit across waterways, numerous bridges and tunnels, and several mountain passes. Some of these mountain passes are closed during the winter months, and some may close during winter storms. With the opening of the Oresund Bridge and the Great Belt Fixed Link, Norway is connected to the European continent by a continuous highway connection through Sweden and Denmark.
The 4,058 kilometres long rail network connects most of the major cities south of Bodø. The Norwegian rail network is also connected to the Swedish network. Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is the most important airport in Norway, with 24 million passengers in 2014. Most cities and towns have nearby airports, and some of the largest also have international flights. The cruise ferry Hurtigruten connects the cities on the coast between Bergen and Kirkenes. In the summer, the coastal cities are visited by numerous foreign cruise ships, Bergen being the main cruise port.

Arrivals by country

In 2015, 8,828,771 foreign tourists visited Norway, an 8.3% increase over the previous year's figure of 8,154,436.
The top ten countries of origin of tourists visiting Norway were:
RankCountry20142015
1Germany1,388,9781,459,908
2Sweden1,040,1681,097,231
3Denmark741,241749,517
4United Kingdom614,876704,508
5Netherlands539,733567,343
6United States397,801425,295
7France301,889326,866
8China176,767287,153
9Spain200,441253,590
10Italy191,390196,785
Total international visitors8,154,4368,828,771-

Most visited tourist attractions

Innovation Norway, a state-owned promotion company which is also in charge of tourism affairs, makes annual reports on the country's most visited tourist attractions, both cultural and natural. The 2007 report lists 50 cultural and 20 natural attractions.
RankCultural attractionTypeLocationVisitors, 2007
1FløibanenRailwayBergen1,131,707
2Holmenkollbakken and Ski MuseumSki jumping hillOslo686,857
3BryggenHeritage wharfBergen583,510
4Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement ParkAmusement parkKristiansand532,044
5TusenfrydAmusement parkÅs501,235
6Flåm LineRailwayFlåm457,545
7Hadeland GlassverkGlass worksJevnaker431,400
8Fredrikstad Fortress, Old Town of FredrikstadHeritage fortress and townFredrikstad372,360
9Viking Ship MuseumMuseumOslo314,560
10Hunderfossen FamilieparkAmusement parkØyer/Lillehammer270,500

RankNatural attractionTypeLocationVisitors, 2006
1VøringsfossenWaterfallEidfjord655,000
2TrollstigenRoadÅndalsnes563,331
3KjosfossenWaterfallFlåm457,400
4GeirangerfjordenFjordGeiranger423,643
5LåtefossenWaterfallOdda/Hardanger420,000
6SteinsdalsfossenWaterfallNorheimsund/Hardanger300,000
7NærøyfjordenFjordAurland297,038
8BriksdalsbreenGlacierOlden/Stryn280,000
9SognefjellsvegenRoadLom-Luster253,953
10Atlantic Ocean RoadRoad

Tourism exhibitions

In January 2009, the National Building Museum presented the exhibition Detour: Architecture and Design along 18 National Tourist Routes in Norway. The exhibition, which was created in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy, was available for view until May 2009.