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In a bad news for international travellers, especially those who have been planning to visit Finland to witness the iconic Northern Lights, the Scandinavian
nation has joined Spain, UK, Italy, Greece and other popular tourist destinations by implementing a new tax. As a part of this, the government will now allow municipalities to raise revenue from visitors. As per reports, The Ministry of Finance has assessed the feasibility of adopting a tourist tax in Finland. A preliminary report has been drawn up and key stakeholders consulted in preparation for the drafting work. Based on the initial report, the Government decided to begin legislative drafting of a tourist tax. Also Read: Saudi Arabia’s New Hajj Rules And Guidelines: Who Can Enter and Who Can’t
More About The Tourist Tax
Riikka Purra, Finland’s Minister of Finance, said, "A tourist tax would give municipalities that are popular tourist destinations a way to collect more income from tourism. The goal is to create a simple and clear tax model. Municipalities themselves would decide whether to adopt the tax."If introduced, this tax would apply to short-term paid accommodation and would cover both domestic and international travellers. It would also extend across all forms of temporary accommodation to ensure uniformity. The tax is expected to be set as a moderate percentage of the accommodation cost, in line with similar practices across several European Union countries.
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This is not the first time that such a tax is coming to play in a bid to curb overtourism. Earlier Barcelona announced plans to significantly increase the tourist tax, aiming to create a more sustainable tourism model and improve the quality of life for residents. Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni’s new plan focussed on raising the tourist tax for cruise ship passengers making shorter visits. The proposed increase aimed for a "substantial" rise, though the exact amount is yet to be determined. This strategy targeted a segment of tourism seen as contributing less economically to the city while placing a significant burden on public spaces.
Cities like Venice, Amsterdam, and Dubrovnik have also implemented measures to regulate tourist numbers and protect their cultural heritage.
If you are worries that you won't be able to witness the magic of Northern Light in Finland because of this new development. Here are some other places to visit.
Best Places To See Northern Lights
- Eastern Greenland: One of the most remote and pristine locations, Eastern Greenland offers an untouched wilderness where the Northern lights dance above glaciers and fjords.
- Iceland: With locations like the Golden Circle, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the Northern Lights add to the country’s already breathtaking landscapes.
- Norway: Tromsø, Senja Island, and the Lofoten Islands are some of the top places to see the Northern Lights in Norway.
- Sweden: Head to Abisko National Park or Kiruna in northern Sweden. These regions are known for their consistent clear skies.
- Canada: The northern regions of Canada, particularly Yellowknife and parts of Yukon, are perfect.
- Russia: Murmansk and the Kola Peninsula are some of the few excellent locations for chasing the Northern lights.
