America News Agency

Allemannsretten, which gives Norwegians the right to camp, swim, ski and walk freely in nature regardless of who owns the land, is the basis for friluftslivet (outdoor life), which is seen as the foundation of the mountainous country's culture.

However, an initiative to promote these benefits to international tourists has been met with harsh criticism. Regional tourism bosses say it could put too much pressure on the natural environment, leading to unregulated traffic and an increase in camping.

Norwegian state-owned Innovation Norway said it wanted to “emphasize the part of Norwegian culture that is about using nature” by putting outdoor activities at the center of the campaign.

But tourism bosses in northern and western Norway say they are already feeling the effects of over-tourism. Some have called for the initiative to be suspended while they assess the potential impact on commercial tourism, and Innovation Norway has halted the campaign as a result.

Interest in the Nordic region as a whole has increased this summer, with tourists seeking cooler destinations due to high temperatures in southern Europe. While tourism boards aim to capitalize on this surge of interest, many in Norway have called for caution.