News of Norway, issue 5, 1997
More and more Americans want to see the fjords. The coastal steamer—Hurtigruten—alone accounts for more than 50,000 U.S. bednights per year. A 19 percent increase in number of cruise passengers in 1996, compared to 1995, resulted in a new record of 130,000 cruise passengers to Norway. Tourism is Norway’s third biggest industry. Every year foreigners leave behind thousands of dollars in hotels, shops and restaurants in Norway. On an annual basis tourist statistics are measured in "bednights"—number of bookings in Norwegian hotels—according to nationality. In 1996 Germans, Danes, and Swedes topped the list in numbers of tourists who visited Norway, with 1,020,000; 883,000; and 659,000 bednights respectively, whereas Americans spent 340,000 bednights in Norwegian hotels last year. Although Germany still is the largest cruise market, the United States and Canada are in third place—and growing—with 15 percent of all cruise passengers. The increase in number of North American passengers is to a large extent brought on by the larger vessels cruising Norwegian waters. The most popular Norwegian destinations for American tourists are Oslo, Bergen, and the western fjords, although other areas such as northern Norway with the North Cape and the Lofoten Islands are becoming increasingly popular. Norway is also a hiker’s paradise.
Cruising Norway
Seeing Norway by sea provides a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and natural wonder of one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes—all from the comfort of a cruise ship. A selection of cruises visit Norwegian cities, such as the capital Oslo and thousand-old year Trondheim. The cruise ships sails through magnificent fjord and inland waterways. The range of terrain in Norway is dramatic—from icebergs and weather-beaten coastlines in the Arctic North to plush green valleys and sandy beaches in the south.
Norway in a Nutshell
The absolute bestseller of most travel agencies and tour companies is "Norway in a Nutshell"—a ten-day, round-trip where you travel with trains and ferries. The itinerary includes a stay in Oslo, travel by train through the mountains to Myrdal where you transfer to the Flam Railroad for the steep descent to Flam and the Aurlandsfjord; a cruise through Norway’s narrowest fjord—the Næroyfjord—and ascent by motor coach up the famous, winding roads of Stalheim. The trip also includes three days in Bergen—the charming Hanseatic city and Norway’s fjord capital—and a visit to a west coast archipelago.
Active Vacation.
If you are looking for an active vacation in Norway, check out these activities the tour operators are offering: Bird watching, dog sledding, fishing, hiking, rafting, sailing, and other tours.
NORTRA
The Norwegian Tourist Board’s primary focus in the U.S. market has been to stimulate and support the production of tours to Norway. These efforts have led to a great increase in the number of tour operators that offer travel to Norway, and thus also in the number of tours offered. NORTRA has produced a list of almost a hundred tour operators offering trips to Norway. With many tour companies you can either explore Norway on your own, with full escort, or with semi-escort. For the independent traveler there are "Starter Packages," which include air and two night’s hotel and optional rental car. After the two nights, you are on your own, if you so choose. But most regional tours are at least semi-escorted. This means that you are on your own at arrival, departure and during the city stay, but the fjord cruise and coach travel included in the itinerary are fully escorted. In addition to a "Norway in a Nutshell" trip, tourists can choose from a variety of cruises in the fjords all over Norway, allowing them to experience this country of contrasts. To have the best vacation in Norway prepare your trip well in advance, compare prices, and study the itineraries. Contact NORTRA to find a suitable travel agency in your area, one that has experience in the Scandinavian market.
Most of the Americans traveling to Norway are in the age group between 35 and 65 with people over 50 in the largest category. Norway is also of particular interest to health, nature and cultural activities enthusiasts."There is a trend in the travel business towards individualized travel for the customers," says Harald Hansen, the Information/ Public Relations Manager at NORTRA’s headquarters in New York. "Americans going to Norway still want packages made by the travel agencies, but they want to travel alone, or in smaller groups," says Hansen. Another finding from this office is that American tourists concentrate on fewer countries when they travel. NORTRA tries to take signs like these seriously and cooperates with a wide range of tour agencies to implement programs that respond to these new trends. NORTRA works closely with the other Scandinavian countrie’s Tourist Boards, which together operate under the name of Scandinavian Tourism Inc. One goal of NORTRA is to increase the tourism from the United States to Norway by 4 to 5 percent this year, and by 2001 they hope for an increase of approximately 15,000 tourists..
A sample list of tour operators in the United States which offer specialized travel to Norway:
- Bennett Tours, Inc. (800) 221-2420, (212) 532-5060, Fax: (212) 779-8944
- Bergen Line, Inc. (800) 323-7436, (212) 319-1300, Fax: (212) 319-1390
- Five Stars of Scandinavia, Inc. (800) 722-4126, (206) 857-4852, Fax: (206) 857-4978
- Nordique Tours (800) 995-7997, (310) 645-7527, Fax: (310) 645-1071
- Passage Tours, Inc. (800) 548-5960,(954)776- 7070, Fax(954)-776-7070,
http:www.passagetours.com
- Scanam World Tours, Inc. (800) 545-2204, (201) 835-7070, Fax: (201) 835-3030
- Scantours, Inc. (800) 223-7226, (310) 636-4656, Fax: (310) 390-0493
For a complete list of tour operators or for other travel information,
contact the Norwegian Tourist Board (NORTRA),
655 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
Phone: 212-885-9700
Fax: 212- 885-9710
e-mail: gonorway@interport.net
Internet:
http://www.norway.org;
also: http://www.travelfile.com/get/nortra
Here is a sample list of Cruise Liners:
Bergen Line, INC (800) 323-7436
Costa Cruise Line 800) 445-8020
Cunard Line, Ltd (800) 528-6273
Eurocruises, Inc (800) 688-3876
Holland America Line ( 800) 426-0327
Princess Cruises ( 800) 421-0522
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises (800)- 285-1835
Royal Norwegian Cruise Line. Ltd (800)-327-7030
Seabourn Cruise Line ( 800) 929-9595
Silversea Cruises, Ltd ( 800) 722-6655