US tourism arrivals decline as Norwegian hotels protest new tax

In the United States, overseas arrivals in September 2026 reached approximately 2.7 million, representing an 11.8 percent decrease compared to the same month in 2025. While Western Europe accounted for the majority of this reduction, other regions showed varied trends. South America saw a 4.8 percent increase, led by Colombia and Brazil, while arrivals from Asia remained near previous year levels, with significant growth from China and Taiwan despite a sharp decline from South Korea.

In Norway, the tourism industry in Northern Norway reported record revenues exceeding 30 billion NOK, driven by private rentals and international winter tourists. However, a debate has emerged regarding the implementation of a new municipal tourist tax. Major hotel chains, including Scandic and Strawberry, have expressed concerns that the tax could undermine profitability and alter existing funding models for destination development. Some hotels have withdrawn from local destination companies in protest, while industry leaders suggest that the market may be able to absorb the costs through price increases.