The resident survey on tourism has been published

17,500 residents have shared their views on tourism in the Tromsø region.

The results of the new resident survey on tourism were presented at Tromsø City Hall on 24 February. The survey was conducted on behalf of the municipalities of Tromsø, Lyngen, Storfjord, Karlsøy and Balsfjord, in collaboration with the Tromsø Region Inter-Municipal Council, the Confederation of Businesses in the Tromsø Region, NHO Reiseliv and Visit Tromsø-Region.

The purpose has been to map how residents experience the impacts of tourism in the region – both positive and negative.

A total of 17,494 people took part. This makes it the most comprehensive survey of local residents’ views on tourism ever carried out in the Tromsø region.

Visit Tromsø-Region, together with the Confederation of Businesses in the Tromsø Region (Næringsforeningen i Tromsøregionen) and the local branch of NHO Reiseliv, has co-funded the survey because we want a solid, evidence-based foundation for the further development of tourism. If we are to make sound decisions for the future, they must be built on broad insight.

The report shows, among other things, that:

• 7 out of 10 (70%) see both advantages and disadvantages of tourism, demonstrating that this is not a black-and-white issue. 13% believe tourism contributes mostly positively to the region, while 17% believe it contributes mostly negatively.
• 75% believe tourism puts the municipality on the map, contributes to more flight routes and provides opportunities for additional income for local residents.
• Around half believe tourism contributes to jobs, business activity and a broader range of restaurants, cultural experiences and services – all important factors for a vibrant region.

The findings show that the picture is not black and white. Tourism creates both value and challenges – and precisely for that reason, development must be knowledge-based, responsible and rooted in dialogue with the local community.

We encourage everyone to read the full report and form their own opinion. It is publicly available on the Tromsø Municipality’s website.