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Norwegian health authorities advise against unnecessary travel over Easter

Health authorities in Norway are telling the public to avoid unnecessary travel over the Easter holidays following record levels of Covid-19 infections.

Published: 18 March 2021 15:39 CET
Norwegian health authorities advise against unnecessary travel over Easter
Photo by Lukas Kloeppel from Pexels

Many people in Norway normally travel during the Easter holidays either to ski resorts, their country homes (cabins) or to see friends and family.

However, Assistant Director of the Norwegian Directorate of Health, Espen Nakstad has told newspaper Dagbladet that people should prepare for an Easter without travel.  

He explains that the increasing infection rate, and outbreaks in several parts of Norway, mean that the advice is changing quickly and could be altered again.

“Now that we are seeing increasing infection in more and more regions, most recently in Haugalandet, it is good advice to limit travel to relatives and friends who live elsewhere,” Nakstad told Dagbladet.

“As the situation has developed in recent days, you should prepare for an Easter without visits and gatherings wherever you are,” he added.

READ MORE: These are Norway´s Covid-19 guidelines for the Easter holidays

Nakstad, has also warned that there is a great risk that infection will spread during the Easter holidays and during the coming weeks.

Health Minister Bent Høie echoed the advice.

“You should not visit family in other parts of the country”, Høie told national broadcaster NRK.

The health minister also told NRK that this applies especially to those who live in areas with stringent measures such as Oslo and Viken County but want to travel home.

“For example, if you are in Oslo or Viken but you are originally from Bergen, you should not travel to stay with family or in-laws,” he told NRK.

Høie also told newspaper VG that students that live in university halls or that don’t live with others can visit family at Easter provided that they have their own room and are able to socially distance. 

“There is a difference between students who live in dormitories, or haven’t moved away from home yet and students who have moved out and are established in a new city with cohabitants and children. A person who has lived in Oslo for many years and happens to be a student does not get a free card to travel to visit their parents,” Høie said. 

He also added that students that can travel should follow the necessary rules and guidelines.  

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TRAVEL

Why Norway can expect a boom in visitor numbers this summer

Norway is gearing up for a big increase in visitors this summer, driven by several favourable factors.

Published: 24 June 2024 15:05 CEST
Why Norway can expect a boom in visitor numbers this summer

Norway, typically known for its winter tourism, is becoming an increasingly attractive summer destination.

On Monday, Norwegian business media reported that many Norwegian hotels registered a positive outlook for summer bookings nationwide.

READ MORE: What changes about travel to and from Norway in 2024

In Oslo, nearly 70 percent of hotel rooms were occupied last month, and industry experts believe that advance bookings indicate strong demand.

This shift is notable compared to traditional hotspots in Southern and Southeastern Europe, which have experienced extreme temperatures in recent summers.

Furthermore, several other factors have bolstered Norway’s appeal as a tourist destination, boosting its attractiveness as a summer destination and attracting more visitors.

Milder temperatures, a weak krone, and lower prices

While countries like Croatia, Spain, and Italy experience scorching summer heat, Norway’s milder temperatures provide a refreshing alternative.

At the same time, recent price level shifts are also making Norway more accessible for tourists.

In 2023, Norway’s price level was 25 percent higher than the EU average, a significant drop from the previous year’s 43 percent difference, according to the preliminary figures from this year’s European purchasing power survey.

This change, coupled with a favourable exchange rate, means tourists can now get more value for their money.

A weak krone allows visitors to stretch their budgets further when exchanging their currency for Norwegian kroner, even after considering inflation.

Geirangerfjord

Norway’s natural beauty draws tourists year-round. Pictured is the Geirangerfjord. Photo by Nick Night on Unsplash

A big year for culture in Norway, bookings on the rise

Adding to the allure of Norway’s incredible nature, culture is also a big reason to visit the country during the summer of 2024.

Bodø in northern Norway has been designated as the European Capital of Culture for 2024, which brings with it a host of cultural events and attractions.

The positive trend extends to the broader region, where new hotel projects are being launched, signalling confidence in the industry’s future.

Tromsø, for instance, is expected to see a surge in hotel guests this July.

“For those of us who provide support when it comes to new hotel projects, it is clear that people have faith in the hotel industry going forward, after some exceptionally difficult years during the pandemic,” Peter Wiederstrøm, hotel consultant at Wiederstrøm Hotel Consulting, told the business newspaper e24.

READ MORE: Five reasons why 2024 will be a good time to visit Norway

Trude Laberg, communications advisor at Strawberry (formerly known as Nordic Choice Hotels), highlighted both Bodø and Bergen (western Norway) as standout destinations this summer, with strong demand compared to previous years.

“We see strong signs that there is more international volume coming compared to previously. More people have probably opened their eyes to Norway because of the currency effect and the milder summer heat,” Laberg said.

Kristiansand (southern Norway), in particular, has seen a significant uptick in bookings for July, reflecting a broader trend of increased interest in Norwegian destinations.

Opportunities for late bookers

Despite the rising demand, late bookers still have good opportunities to secure accommodations in popular Norwegian tourism destinations.

This July, the average price for renting a holiday home or cabin on Finn.no, Norway’s largest online marketplace, is around 2,500 kroner per night.

According to the platform’s press officer, Linda Glomlien, popular destinations this summer include Øyer (Hafjell), Vesterøy, and Stavern, which also reflects the summer music festival season in the country.

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