One operator at the intersection of exploration and science is Basecamp Explorer. Located at 78 degrees North, it runs three small-scale lodges. Basecamp Hotel is in Longyearbyen, offering 16 boutique rooms and acting as the gateway to multi-day expeditions. Nordenskiöld, open March to April and July to September, is the world’s northernmost lodge, where the only neighbours are seals, polar bears, ptarmigan, and arctic foxes. Accessible by boat or snowmobile, it’s one of the world’s most remote places to stay. Lastly, Isfjord Radio, a former radio station open from February to September, is now a 22-room boutique hotel on the edge of the Arctic Ocean.

Crucially, Basecamp Explorer has embedded scientific collaboration into its operating model. According to Birgitte Vegsund, Destinations Manager at Basecamp Explorer, these partnerships are not symbolic but foundational. “From the very beginning, we have sought partnerships with organisations that actively contribute to reducing environmental impact and deepening our understanding of the fragile ecosystems in which we operate,” Vegsund told Travel Tomorrow. She notes that polar bears are not just an iconic species, but a key indicator of Arctic ecosystem health, making research support essential to responsible tourism in the region.

A cornerstone is the involvement of the conservation organisation, Polar Bears International (PBI). By supporting PBI, Basecamp Explorer promotes ongoing scientific fieldwork that enhances its own day‑to‑day operational decisions and the quality of guest education. “Our guides receive first‑hand briefings from researchers, ensuring that the information we share with guests is grounded in the latest scientific findings,” Vegsund said.

This science‑led model is particularly important in Svalbard, where recent observations can be easily misinterpreted. Geoff York, Vice President of Science and Policy at Polar Bears International, cautions against complacency following reports that some polar bears in the region are currently maintaining good body condition despite habitat loss.

“That data comes from a very rich, productive part of the Arctic,” York said in a statement to Travel Tomorrow, “but it does not mean polar bears are safe from climate change.” He stresses that there are 20 distinct polar bear subpopulations, each shaped by local conditions, and that Svalbard’s bears are only temporarily buffered by abundant prey and a wide continental shelf.

According to York, broader trends remain deeply concerning. Denning areas are declining, genetic connectivity is decreasing, and reproduction and cub survival suffer in low‑ice years—clear signals of a system under stress.

Against this backdrop, tourism becomes a powerful communication tool. By bringing visitors into direct contact with Arctic landscapes and wildlife under strict safety and environmental protocols, science‑led tourism can translate complex research into a lived experience. York argues that this is where partnerships with operators like Basecamp Explorer play a critical role.

“Visitors have the rare chance to witness Arctic wildlife firsthand, whilst also learning about the challenges of a rapidly warming region,” he said. “That helps travellers become informed Arctic ambassadors.”

For Basecamp Explorer, this educational dimension is as important as the adventure itself. Vegsund describes the experience of seeing polar bears in their natural habitat, combined with scientific context, as transformative—one that connects travellers directly to the realities of climate change and the urgency of conservation.

“Educating travellers on polar bears and witnessing their natural habitats is a powerful experience,” she notes, highlighting that guests leave with a deeper understanding of both the science and the responsibility that comes with visiting such a fragile environment.

A special joint expedition runs just after Arctic Sea Ice Day on 15 July, from 16-26 July 2026, combining four days at Isfjord Radio with an expedition cruise aboard Northern Expeditions’ Kinfish vessel. And throughout the year, Basecamp’s 4–8-day journeys blend dog sledging, glacier hiking, kayaking, and wildlife watching with expert input on polar bear ecology, sea-ice loss, and climate impacts. Prices start from NOK 191,753 (€17,000) per person on a full-board basis, including all Zodiac excursions, planned tours and activities in Longyearbyen and all luggage costs and transportation between the airport, hotel and port on embarkation and debarkation days.

As climate pressures intensify across the Arctic, Svalbard’s role as a hub for research, monitoring and science‑led tourism is likely to grow. The region demonstrates how carefully managed tourism, when aligned with credible research and conservation goals, can support scientific insight, strengthen coexistence strategies, and amplify global awareness of what is at stake for polar bears and the Arctic ecosystems they depend on.

L’article The critical role of Svalbard research and science-led tourism in polar bear survival est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Norwegian Polar Institute studied 770 polar bears between 1992 and 2019, taking 1,188 body measurements and correlating the findings with the loss of sea ice in the Barents Sea, where the polar bears lived. The Barents Sea is warming through greater temperature rises than other Arctic regions, by up to around +2 °C per decade in some parts of the region. Home to one of the 20 recognised polar bear populations, the zone has lost sea ice habitat at a rate of four days/year between 1979 and 2014, more than twice as fast as any of the other polar bear habitats.

The researchers expected to see a decline in the polar bears’ body condition. But instead found that after an initial deterioration, the bears’ fatness and healthiness began to improve.

One explanation for the unexpected results put forward by the scientists is that, at the same time as sea ice has diminished, the density of ringed seals has increased, meaning the bears might have a shorter hunting season, but can hunt more efficiently. The bears are also consuming more land-based prey than previously thought available. Walruses, which have been protected since 1950, have grown in numbers, providing food, as have harbour seals, which again are more efficient to hunt, and reindeer.

Although the study seems to present good news for this population of polar bears, the authors warn that they may have been helped because the Barents Sea area is not yet at “carrying capacity,” meaning it still offers enough food to go around. With further habitat loss likely in the future, the point at which their numbers reach critical mass could be coming, making monitoring essential, the researcher said.

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In addition, animal biologist John Whiteman, not involved in the study, told CNN in a statement that “body condition is only one piece of the puzzle,” arguing that fully understanding the processes at work “requires continued monitoring.”

Overall, although the Barents Sea bears showed “a high level of resistance to environmental changes induced by a warmer climate and sea ice habitat loss,” the factors leading to their improved body condition should not be extrapolated out to other polar bear populations, the researchers said, noting bears elsewhere have not demonstrated the same resilience.

L’article Svalbard polar bears fatter and healthier despite sea ice loss, researchers say est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The project builds on Havila’s five-day climate-neutral crossing from Saint-Nazaire to Copenhagen in 2023. This time, the ships will rely on a combination of biogas and giant battery packs.

“We are in the planning phase to test a full round voyage on the coastal route this fall, using biogas in combination with our large battery packs,” Havila Voyages CEO Bent Martini explained at last week’s Arendalsuka political conference in Norway.

Martini admitted that the challenge lies in sourcing sufficient volumes of biogas, which requires heavy investment. “The technology exists,” Martini emphasised. “What is needed is the will to invest. With strict environmental requirements from the authorities, those who want to operate the coastal route will be forced to deliver.”

If the project is successful, Havila Voyages will complete the full 5,000-nautical-mile coastal ©route ‘climate neutrally’. Martini added that “the ships on the coastal route will be the spearhead of the green transition in shipping and create synergies for other parts of the industry.”

Beyond the technological upgrades, the journey is expected to be a more pleasant experience for passengers. When operating on battery power, the ship sails in almost complete silence with zero emissions, allowing passengers to enjoy the crisp fjord air.

Havila has already operated emission-free journeys using its battery systems, and is working with HAV Group, a marine technology provider, to make its fleet climate-neutral and, ultimately, zero-emission.

The distinction between climate neutrality and carbon neutrality is important. Carbon neutrality focuses on balancing carbon dioxide (CO₂), the main gas produced by burning fuel, through reductions and offsets. Climate neutrality, on the other hand, addresses the entire spectrum of greenhouse gases, including methane and nitrous oxide, through reductions, alternative fuels and offsets, with the aim of achieving no overall impact on the climate.

Cruise lines are one of the most carbon-intensive forms of travel and face growing scrutiny over their carbon footprint. A long-haul flight emits around 80 grams of CO₂ per passenger kilometre, whereas a train emits around 41 grams and cruise ships average roughly 250 grams. Public pressure, regulations and lobbying have prompted operators to explore cleaner technologies.

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Norway itself is tightening regulations. From 1 January 2026, all ships sailing in its UNESCO-protected fjords must be zero-emission, and larger vessels have until 2032 to comply. This is one of the strictest regulations in the world, and it positions Norway’s fjords as a testing ground for the green transition of the cruise industry.

Havila is not the only company in the cruise industry attempting to innovate in this area. Norwegian rival Hurtigruten is developing a zero-emission ship for 2030, while Viking, which is headquartered in Switzerland, is collaborating with the Italian shipyard Fincantieri to build the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship.

L’article Havila Voyages to launch the world’s longest climate-neutral cruise est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Outsiders are not exactly unheard of in this once-important waypoint for Vikings that offered a lifeline for centuries of fishermen from Iceland and elsewhere. A leisure sailor who visited in the mid-1990s told Travel Tomorrow: “There was no sign of overtourism back then. In the silence of the midnight sun the jagged peaks cast shadows with a peculiar beauty unseen further south. Travelling by sailing boat you could moor in spectacular coves with only wildlife for company. In kind weather, you could swim in the crystal clear sea, north of the Arctic Circle. It is breathtaking.”

Now promoted by Visit Norway among the country’s top three destinations, the islands welcomed an estimated one million visitors in 2023, meaning guests arriving by cruise, car, bus, and air outnumbered inhabitants by 40 to one. The population is so dispersed, however, that in some instances, that figure can hit something more akin to 30,000 to 1 in some areas.

The archipelago’s popularity has grown further thanks to the effect of climate change on traditional hotspots and a newfound tourist appetite for “coolcations”, as well as the influence of Instagram in the land of the midnight sun.

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Positives and negatives

Tourism is generally a positive for the islands. The sector provides around 19% of employment opportunities, which means that the infrastructure that serves everyone is improved. A recent Nordregio report pointed out: “municipalities like Vestvågøy gain better transport connections (e.g., flight routes) and high-quality restaurants. And greater services in general also mean that the municipality is more attractive for young people to return and settle in the municipality after studying in cities like Oslo or Bergen.”

However, problems such as congestion on narrow coastal roads can disrupt farming as well as traffic, and a lack of parking, toilets, waste disposal, and signposts all mean that here, just as in the busiest parts of Barcelona, the quality of local life can be spoilt when facilities and services do not meet everyone’s needs. As Travel and Tour World, TTW notes, among islanders, negative perceptions of the impact of tourism on their island homeland have risen by 23% over the course of one decade.

Regenerating resources, the environment, and trust

As a result, municipal authorities are working with residents and tourism stakeholders under a “Destination Lofoten” banner to establish new regulations and patterns of behaviour. The Lofoten Islands have already been designated as a “Sustainable Destination” by Innovation Norway, with a set of criteria developed by Innovation Norway, the tourism industry, research institutions, and national authorities and recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, but it is more a commitment than a crown that has already been achieved.

Work includes building trust between different groups of islanders as well as between islanders and tourists, spreading tourism through the year, protecting beaches, establishing rules to limit camping and parking in certain areas, and promoting cultural norms such as “leave no trace” and the mountain guidelines developed from the Lofoten Code of Conduct.

@cecilia_sandnes POV: Tourist Season is Underway in Loften .You've just stepped off the ferry or descended from the sky in a tiny propeller plane here’s what greets you: Voila #tourist #lofoten #camper #campervan #motorhome #RV #bobil #norway #lofoty #norge #traveltiktok #fyp #traffic #lofotenislands #turist #foruyou #foryoupage ♬ Up and Away (Vocalese) – GHOSTLAND

In some cases, efforts involve encouraging tourists to protect themselves too, by being aware of their environment and making the right choice of clothing and footwear for hikes. Beyond basic self-care, regenerative tourism, as seen in Fiji’s “Loloma Hour” or on post-wildfire Hawaii, aims ultimately for tourists to contribute to the renewal of resources, adding value for local communities, the climate, and the environment that they have, after all, come to see.

L’article Is overtourism endangering Norway’s Lofoten Islands? est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Originally a 5% levy on accommodation and lodging was proposed but parliamentarians moderated the tax down to a 3% fee, which local authorities can choose to implement, or not. It is yet to be decided whether the tax will also be applied to cruise ships, a category neglected in the current plan. Cruises are popular among tourists to Norway for their access to remote fjords and coastlines, as well as Northern Light viewings, but small, isolated communities such as those on the Lofoten archipelago, can easily be outnumbered many times by cruise passengers.

Official figures show the Nordic kingdom welcomed a record 38.4 million overnight stays in 2024 – nearly a third of which were made by foreign guests. The rising numbers have been partly attributed to the rise of so-called “coolcations”, chosen by holidaymakers seeking to avoid soaring temperatures, wildfires, and even anti-tourism protests in more traditional southern European destinations.

Norway has become so favoured that fears have been raised that infrastructure in some parts of the country could be overwhelmed, with access to public lavatories and car parks at the forefront of concerns.

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The funds generated by the new tax are to be ring-fenced for improving and maintaining infrastructure. Speaking to national broadcaster NRK, Cecilie Myrseth, Norway’s minister of trade and industry, tried to allay public reservations about the growth of the tourism sector.

 “It is not the case that we have year-round tourism throughout the country,” she said, “but in some places, there are parts of the year that are particularly demanding, and the expenses that the residents have to pay for are particularly high.”

Writing about the developments on social media, she hailed the new cross-party measures as an “historical agreement” that would be under local authority control, likely applying “to areas that have a particularly large pressure of tourists.”

She reminded followers that “The tourism industry is also the future of Norway,” and praised it as “An industry that creates housing, happiness, good experiences, value creation and important jobs all over the country,” insisting “If the industry wants to grow, we depend on trust locally. We ensure that with this agreement.”

L’article Norway approves tourist tax to improve infrastructure and combat overtourism est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Svalbard Airport is located near the settlement of Longyearbyen, in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. As the northernmost airport for regular commercial flights, it is often used by tourists who want to admire the Northern Lights. Both SAS and Norwegian Airlines regularly fly between Svalbard and the Norwegian mainland, located some 800 kilometres to the south.

The runway, measuring 2,300 metres in length, was built at the start of the 1970s on what was thought to be a solid foundation of permafrost – also known as ground that has remained frozen for at least two years. However, climate change hasn’t left Svalbard untouched and what was once permafrost is now increasingly melting away. As the once-frozen ground is heating and thawing, foundations are becoming unstable. 

“During the summer months we must check the runway meticulously every day, because the soil might subside at any point. This is a challenge that we only expect to get worse with time,” Ragnhild Kommisrud, Svalbard Airport’s manager, told CNN.

If the runway were to become unusable, this would have great consequences both for tourists and local inhabitants alike. Locals would for example need to rely on ships to bring them essential supplies, which means a four-day roundtrip from the nearest port. 

“We always keep extra staff and material here at the airport, because if something breaks down, we must be able to repair it ourselves, without outside help,” said Kommisrud. 

A difficult balance regarding tourism

Tourists, on the other hand, would not be able to travel as far northwards by plane any longer, which would mean they too would have to travel by boat. And as this would probably mean a decrease in tourist numbers, many of the locals would no longer have a job – since the coal mines around the town have mostly shut down, tourism has become the main economic activity in the region.

While it is not clear yet what the future will bring for Svalbard’s runway and what it will do for the local economy, authorities have already been taking steps in order to avoid overtourism in a place where the ecosystem is very fragile. The number of lodgings in Svalbard has for example been capped at 500 rooms and tourists are advised against venturing outside the town on their own, both for their safety and that of the nature surrounding them.

L’article Runway at world’s northernmost airport is melting away est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Cecilie Myrseth, has reported that the new tax will equal 3% of the price of an overnight stay – a reduction from earlier proposals of 5%.

Currently, Norway is experiencing record-high numbers of tourists, reaching 16,7 million visitors reported in the summer of 2024. The idea behind the new proposed tax is to give popular tourist sites the means and tools to fund and develop services and infrastructure by harnessing the growing tourism economy.

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In addition, the levy will not be mandatory. Municipalities will have the choice to implement it based on local needs. If adopted, local officials would have to collaborate with the tourism industry to decide how the new funds will be used. 

“It is not the case that we have year-round tourism throughout the country, but in some places, there are parts of the year that are particularly demanding, and the expenses that the residents have to pay for are particularly high,” Cecilie Myrseth told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. She also underlined that the city officials would be able to adjust the levy depending on the season.

At present, the bill outlining the tax still awaits parliamentary approval. Nevertheless, it has faced opposition from some political parties. Initially, the idea was that the tax would affect only overnight visitors, which excludes cruise passengers and day-trippers.

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According to critics, this approach neglects some of the most important visitors, especially in locations such as the Lofoten Islands, where infrastructure is already struggling to accommodate day-trippers. Furthermore, local hotel owners expressed their concerns that the proposal unfairly burdens traditional accommodation providers while exempting other segments of the sector.

While cruise tourists are not part of this initial phase, the government has indicated plans to consider a separate fee for cruise tourism in the future.

The Norwegian government has been weighing the implementation of a tourist levy for several years in response to the growing influx of visitors. This move is part of a growing trend across Europe. Countries like Italy and Spain have done this for years in attempts to mitigate the social and environmental impact of mass tourism.

L’article Record-high tourist numbers push Norway to propose a tourist tax est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Slated for completion in 2033, the Rogfast tunnel will not only be the world’s longest subsea road tunnel at 26.7 kilometres but also the deepest at 392 metres. It will boast four lanes of dual tunnelways, connecting the municipalities of Randaberg and Bokn across a 25 km wide body of water where the Boknafjorden meets the North Sea – four lanes that promise to slash the journey time between Kristiansand in the south and Trondheim over 1000 kilometres north by a whopping 11 hours.

Eliminating unreliable ferry crossing

It’s a route that currently entails seven ferries, in a region where sailings are often disrupted by inclement weather, says Oddvar Kaarmo, the Rogfast project manager, who points out: “The port at Mortavika is quite exposed, and in the winter, ferries sometimes have to divert to another port.”

The new “ferry replacement project” roadway will eliminate those uncertainties. “Once the tunnel is finished, we will not have to rely on good weather to keep the roads open,” Kaarmo promises. It will be 40% funded by taxpayer money with the rest recovered retrospectively thanks to a toll charge on road users.

Other ferries could be set to be replaced by floating underwater tunnels anchored to the sea bed or suspended, overcoming one of the challenges of building in fjords so deep they defy regular tunnelling methods.

Geostrategic importance

The current title for the world’s longest and deepest tunnel is also held by Norway, in the shape of the 24-km-long Laerdal tunnel, linking Laerdal and Aurland. But both Laerdal and Rogfast could be outshone if a proposed infrastructure project to connect Europe’s high-speed railways with Africa ever comes to fruition.

Described by Spain’s transport minister, Raquel Sanchez, as “a project of maximum geostrategic importance for our countries and for relations between Europe and Africa,” the so-called “Europe-Africa Gibraltar Strait Fixed Link” – a 27-km-long rail tunnel beneath the Gibraltar Strait – underwent a feasibility study funded by the European Union in 2023 and is now reported to be at the “strategic planning stage.”

Estimated at a cost of at least €6 billion, the tunnel would be bored under the Strait of Gibraltar, linking Algeciras in the southern Spanish region of Cadiz to Tangier, Morocco. Tangier is known to some as the “gateway to Africa” and is the continent’s largest port.

L’article Norway to build record-breaking underwater tunnel that will slash coastal drivetimes by 11 hours est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

1. The right to roam

The right to roam, also called freedom to roam or everyman’s right, is a right that people in some countries have to access nature for recreational activities regardless of whether the land is public or privately owned. In Austria, Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, the freedom to roam takes the form of general public rights which are sometimes codified in law.

In Norway, the right to roam, also called the right of access (allemannsretten) is dates to ancient times, according to Visit Norway. It was only codified in law less than a century ago, in the Outdoor Recreation Act in 1957. The right ensures that everyone can experience nature, even in big, privately owned areas.

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Allemannsretten allows people to pass through or set up camp anywhere in the countryside, forests or mountains, as long as they stay at least 150 metres away from the nearest inhabited house or cabin. This rule also applies to vans, mobile homes and caravans. For staying more than two nights in the same place, the landowner must be asked permission, except in the mountains or in very remote areas. And, of course, emptying toilets anywhere dedicated places is strictly prohibited.

2. Promoting friluftsliv

The right to roam has been the focus of a tourism campaign two years in the making from state owned agency Innovation Norway. Before being fully launched however, it has been met by a lot of concern from local tour agencies over the impact unregulated and unaccounted people could have on infrastructure and the environment.

“It is important to know that with allemannsretten or roaming rights also comes the obligation to show respect to nature. In short: we shall not leave any trace. This is something we learn in Norway when we are children – from family or at school – but it is not that obvious to many international tourists”, said Bente Lier, the general secretary of outdoor recreation organisation Norsk Friluftsliv.

While Lier is not against the campaign overall, she stressed the importance of a clearer strategy. Besides ensuring tourists are well educated about the responsibilities that come with the right to roam, in depth feasibility studies should be made to see which parts can sustain more visitors and to what extent. “We cannot invite 30 guests if the table is set for four”, she commented.

Others have also suggested that international tourists should experience friluftsliv, but through “well-organised sustainable offerings provided by competent experienced companies within the tourism industry” that can monitor numbers and the effect on environment. “We believe that marketing outdoor activities to a growing international holiday and leisure market can be risky because it may lead to more people wanting to explore vulnerable natural areas on their own. This can result in wear and tear on nature, increased littering and could potentially lead to accidents and rescue operations”, explained Stein Ove Rolland, the CEO of tourism board Fjord Norway.

Responding to the feedback, Aase Marthe Horrigmo, Director of Tourism at Innovation Norway, has said the campaign will be paused for a new series of dialogues and assessments to take place. While admitting the importance of addressing the concerns, she also noted that the agency still wants to continue the project after consultations with county municipalities and destination companies, since Innovation Norway believes the concept “will encourage potential tourists to embrace the philosophy behind friluftsliv and ultimately encourage them to treat our unique nature with care and respect.”

L’article Norway halts outdoor tourism campaign due to environmental concerns est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Since the year began, the Norwegian kroner (NOK)/US Dollar (USD) comparison has dipped 5.85% whereas against the euro, the kroner has seen a decline of 4.84%. For a country known for its many outdoor adventure activities, the Norwegian tourist experience has suddenly become an accessible option for many more travellers.

Online sales are showing that the most popular endeavours sought by tourists are package holidays, with activities such as hiking, kayaking in the fjords and trips to view the Northern Lights during the winter. Following Norway’s increased investment in sustainable tourism, the country is attracting many eco-conscious travellers, creating a rise in demand for polar bear expeditions, whale and bird watching.

Norway’s travel and tourism market is expected to generate a revenue of $4,682 million (€4,291 million) in 2024, according to Statista. Furthermore, a 3.03% annual growth rate is predicted between 2024 and 2029, leading to a potential market value of $5,436 million (€4,977 million) by 2029.

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One of the reasons for the currency’s depreciation is largely due to its sensitivity towards oil and gas prices, particularly as a nation that depends significantly on these commodities. The demand for petrol is declining and oil industry share prices are losing value, which in turn is taking a toll on reliant countries such as Norway.

“The krone’s recent weakness is down to two main factors. The first one is a rapid deterioration in investor risk appetite, and the second one is quicker-than-expected falls in Norwegian inflation,” said Kyle Chapman, forex market analyst at Ballinger Group.

Given the recent fall, Norwegian authorities are upping tax rates on areas such as wealth and exit tax for billionaires looking to leave the country. It’s also rumoured that inheritance tax may be reintroduced.

L’article Norway’s tourism surges as kroner value drops est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.