• 4 min de lectura
• 4 min de lectura
Cruise traffic to Norway's Eidfjord is increasing significantly. From 76 ship calls in 2023, the municipality will have 90 calls this year and is expecting 112 next. This represents an overall increase of almost 50 per cent from 2023 to 2028.
The organisation says its aim is to steer growth towards sustainability, extend the season and ensure greater local value creation.
"The board of Visit Eidfjord adopted a new sustainability strategy in April 2026, which was also approved by the municipal council in June. The strategy places greater emphasis on the value created by visitors rather than simply increasing visitor numbers," said Wenche Nygård Eeg, chair of Visit Eidfjord.
"This means that going forward, we need to focus more on which guests we attract, when they arrive, how long they stay and how much local value they create. The solution is not to debate whether we should have more or fewer tourists, but to extend the season and spread visitors throughout the year," she added.
Nygård Eeg explained that although the number of ship calls are rising they are not seeing an increase in visiting guests because the average size and capacity of the ships are decreasing.
The municipality has rules limiting the port to a maximum of 4,500 passengers per day. On days when large ships such as AIDAperla or AIDAprima, which have a capacity of up to 4,350 guests, are in port, the established limit of 4,500 passengers has not been exceeded. The Hardanger Bridge imposes height restrictions on ships over 55mtr, which already affects cruise line choices.
To manage cruise traffic better during the current season, Visit Eidfjord has implemented measures including improved signage, more traffic marshals, better management of tour buses and increased focus on pedestrians.
Although the 2026 cruise schedule shows 19 days with cruise calls in July, compared with only eight days in October, the long-term goal is to extend the season at both ends.
The board of Visit Eidfjord has decided to introduce a 50% discount on port fees for cruise ships calling at Eidfjord between November 1 and March 31, starting in 2027.
Eidfjord is also investing in shore power. The quay extension has been completed, and the first ships will be able to connect to shore power in April 2027. Norwegian company Plug, that invests in, builds, owns, and operates shore power facilities for cruise and other vessel segments is responsible for 65% of the investment in the Eidfjord shore power project.
The goal is for 50% of cruise ships to connect to shore power in 2027, and 100% from 2030.
Cruise tourism is also very important for local businesses. Jonas Kimerud, general manager of the Norwegian Nature Centre said: "Cruise guests are a significant part of the visitor base at the Norwegian Nature Centre and contribute to more year-round jobs."
As much as 35 per cent of the Norwegian Nature Centre's revenue is linked to cruise tourism.
Visit Eidfjord acknowledges that ensuring cruise tourism contributes positively to the local community is an important task.
"We have work to do here. We need to become better at listening to local residents, we should have an open door, and we need to become better at informing people about all the positive measures we are taking," said Nygård Eeg.
Visit Eidfjord emphasises that going forward, the main focus will be on attracting the right tourists and cruise ships, at the right time.
"We want to create as much local value as possible without this coming at the expense of our local community, culture and nature," said the chair.