MP suggests special ‘tourist taxes’

A new book, authored by MP Jógvan Skorheim, proposes that Faroese authorities impose special taxes on tourists.

The objective, Skorheim argues, is to spend this money on developing the tourism industry throughout the country and to help preserve vulnerable areas. This way, everyone benefits, he says.

“For years, even decades, we have been investing in marketing and branding our country,” he says. “Those efforts have certainly paid off, but now it is time to move our focus towards planning. It would be a good idea to try to attract fewer and wealthier tourists rather than target the masses who may not spend much money here.”

Skorheim believes that adding DKK 100 or 200 to a tourist’s expenses would not deter them from travelling to the Faroes.

“This would ensure that those who really wish to come here also respect that we need to preserve our nature.”

Although this suggestion may not go down well with tourists, Visit Faroe Islands is not opposed to the idea.

“Introducing taxes is one of the measures we have considered in our efforts to improve the tourism industry in the Faroes,” says Jóhan Pauli Helgason, the head of Visit Faroe Islands’ development department.

A careful estimate says that 100,000 tourists visit the Faroes every year. If each one were to pay DKK 200, it would amount to an annual income of DKK 20 million, which would go a long way towards improving the Faroese tourism industry, says Skorheim.

Translated by prosa.fo