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Weak Norwegian krone spells good news for tourists in Norway

Norway is an expensive place to visit as a tourist. However, a weak krone means visitors to the country from places with a stronger currency get better value for money.

Pictured is Pulpit Rock.
A weak krone spells good news for tourists in Norway. Pictured is Pulpit Rock. Photo by Maksim Shutov on Unsplash

Since the turn of the year, Norway’s krone is down significantly compared to other currencies such as the pound, dollar and euro.

There are several factors behind the weaker krone, such as lower interest rates in Norway compared to the US or Eurozone, investors taking less risk, the central bank Norges Bank selling kroner, and the krone falling with the stock market and oil prices.

A weak krone has a number of effects on those in Norway and can contribute to higher inflation due to exports becoming more expensive.

However, the weak krone makes Norway a more attractive travel destination for visitors to the country.

This is because if they visit from a country that’s currency is performing strongly against the krone, they will get better value for money due to exchange rates.

A weak krone means better value for money than when Norway’s currency is strong, even if the price of a product remains the same or rises less than the difference between currencies. As an example, the krone is down 17 percent against the euro and 18 percent against the dollar over the past year while inflation is around 5.9 percent.

Tom Anker Skrede, head of tourism at Destinasjon Ålesund og Sunnmøre, told public broadcaster NRK that the weak krone was providing a boost for the tourism industry.

“Many people who have had Norway as a desired destination for several years now have an extra good reason to travel,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kari Kvikne, a booking manager from the Kviknes Hotell, told the broadcaster that more people were opting to pay for their stays later this year upfront rather than at check-in to take advantage of the weak krone.

Several analysts expect the krone to begin picking up towards the summer, meaning those paying in euros, dollars and pounds may get less value for their money towards the end of the summer.

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TRAVEL NEWS

Norwegian Air Shuttle pilots threaten summer strike 

Norwegian Air Shuttle pilots could strike from June if an agreement on wages and working conditions isn’t reached by the end of May. 

Norwegian Air Shuttle pilots threaten summer strike 

A mediation deadline of May 31st has been set with Norwegian Air Shuttle pilots, the Norwegian Pilot Union and the airline yet to agree on a package for wages and working conditions, business news site E24 reports. 

The leader of the organisation representing pilots, Alf Hansen, said that there would be a “great danger of a strike” if the pilots’ demands were not met.

Hansen said that pilots were asking for a better work-life balance as part of the proposed collective bargaining agreement. 

READ ALSO: What is a Norwegian collective bargaining agreement?

“We pilots have to be at work when most people want to go out and travel, but like others we also have to have a life with the family outside of work. Demands have therefore been put forward for a more even workload and a longer notification period for changes to the work programme,” he said. 

“Through difficult periods and reconstruction in the company, we have contributed to growth and profits. Now is the time to close the pay gap for colleagues in the company who work at other bases in Europe. The company must realise that we are part of a European labour market and must be paid accordingly,” he added. 

The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) would also be negotiating on behalf of the airline. 

Norwegian has recovered from a difficult financial situation in recent years and was given the green light to complete the acquisition of the regional airline Widerøe at the end of last year. 

During the airline’s last quarterly presentation, CEO Geir Karlsen said that the company hoped for a “record summer season.” 

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