Norway is known for being able to encompass its dramatic mountains, crystal-clear waters, and idyllic fishing villages all in one view, attracting millions of tourists each year to try and catch a glimpse of the Scandinavian paradise. While summers in classic European destinations like Spain and Greece seem to be getting hotter and hotter, many are choosing to venture north for a different kind of holiday.
One of the places at the heart of the boom is the stunning Nordic Lofoten Islands. and with 24 hours of sunlight and rugged scenery, it’s no surprise that many have dubbed them “the world’s most beautiful islands.” With that title, tourists have begun to flock to the fjords, and with opportunities for a kayak trip, a hiking holiday, or even a romantic getaway, the number of visitors is on the up and up.
With the ever-increasing flow comes problems that locals are becoming increasingly worried about, as this idyllic archipelago now has to grapple with an overwhelmed and fragile infrastructure to support the holidaygoers.
The islands were one of the Vikings’ early settlements, drawing traders from around Europe, so hosting visitors is nothing new for Lofoten. However, despite its history, Norway’s tourism industry only really began in the past two decades with the introduction of a network of motorways, bridges, and tunnels connecting the islands by land, as well as new and improved ferry links helping cross the water.
Lofoten’s eye-catching landscape has become the perfect backdrop for snapping a photo and posting it online. As social media began to grow, so did the number of people heading to the islands.
In 2023, the island set a record for welcoming around a million visitors, a staggering number compared to the tiny permanent population of just 25,000.
All those tourists looking to let loose and splash their holiday cash are undoubtedly giving the local economy a boost, creating a host of welcomed jobs, especially for young people.
But concerns have been raised that hosting so many will begin to affect the landscape that makes the Islands truly special. Speaking to BBC Travel, Lofoten residents Astrid Haugen and Frida Berg said: “When I used to travel abroad and said I was from Lofoten, people looked blank. Now they’ve seen pictures online and can’t believe this is my everyday view.”
Berg added: “That’s part of the problem. This is our home, not just a backdrop for a Facebook selfie. When people litter or block roads, it’s so frustrating”.
Those worries have been reflected in the community too, with Flakstad mayor Einar Benjaminson warning that locals are beginning to lose patience: “Ten years ago, maybe 2% of our residents didn’t want tourism. Now it’s more like 25%.”
But with around 20% of the jobs in the islands coming from tourism, if the industry were to go, so too may some of the locals,
Local tour guide Erling Hansen believes: “Without tourism, there probably would be no village in Nusfjord anymore,” but stressed: “We’re not some Arctic Disneyworld”.