Southern Norway sees rise in international tourists as foreign visitor numbers soar

Hege Julianne Nevestad from Visit Sørlandet emphasizes the potential for increasing the number of foreign visitors to Southern Norway. In 2023, 21 percent of visitors to the region were international travelers, while 79 percent were Norwegian. A recent tourism report from Innovation Norway indicates that foreign guest nights have returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, Norwegian tourists continue to dominate the region.

Nevestad notes a significant increase in foreign tourists over the past years. From 2016 to 2023, the number of international visitors has grown by 50 percent, indicating further growth potential.

The report also featured interviews with 1,900 foreign holidaymakers who stayed at least one night in Southern Norway in 2023. Among the findings, two out of ten tourists used Southern Norway as their base, often extending their vacations compared to other regions. International tourists typically spend an average of 1,130 NOK per day, with 11 percent booking their trips as package deals. Notably, 47 percent of these visitors are vacationing in Norway for the first time.

Anniken Bjørnstad Schjøtt, the marketing director at Dyreparken, recognizes that the majority of visitors to the park are Norwegian, with an estimated 95 percent coming from within the country. She highlights a strategic shift towards attracting Danish tourists in recent years, driven in part by a stronger Norwegian krone making Norway a more affordable destination.

Nevestad also notes a 4 percent increase in Danish visitors compared to the same period last year, underlining their importance to the region. The report indicates that foreign guests tend to spend more than their Norwegian counterparts, with the primary markets being Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, each showing varied willingness to spend.