Faroese police crack down on unlicensed foreign tour operators

Faroese police have launched enforcement actions against foreign tour operators working illegally in the Faroe Islands, following a surge in public reports, acting police inspector Jógvan Páll Joensen told Faroese national broadcaster KVF on Wednesday.

The crackdown comes after authorities received numerous complaints about unlicensed operators, though Joensen noted that legal requirements for tour guides have been in place for years. Police had previously engaged in “knowledge-sharing meetings” with the tourism industry and other stakeholders before taking action in recent weeks.

Joensen expressed surprise that some operators appeared unaware of licensing rules, suggesting either ignorance of regulations or a deliberate disregard for them. “It’s remarkable that not everyone seems to know the rules and have their paperwork in order,” he said, referencing the police operation codenamed Closed for Maintenance.