Scandic can demand parking fees on the Nordkapp, despite no in the Supreme Court – NRK Troms and Finnmark

The dispute over the Nordkapp has created bad blood in the local community for years. Scandic has been reported to the police for breaking the law and deceiving tourists when they demand a fee.

But now the chairmanship of Nordkapp has given Scandic the green light to demand entrance fees and parking fees until 2026.

– It is important that we get the operations on the Nordkapplatå in order. Not least the parking situation. Such a license can contribute to that.

That’s what Sirin Figenschou Høyen says in Nordkapp Høgre.

The chairmanship of Nordkapp considered the application from Scandic Hotels on Tuesday. The proposal was adopted with the four votes from Ap and Høgre.

The Center Party and SV voted against.

– We believe that the proceedings have been deficient and have been done on the wrong basis. The wish was therefore for the case to be sent back to the municipal director. But it didn’t work out that way.

That’s what Yngve Kristiansen says in Nordkapp SV.

Although the chairmanship has now said yes, it has not been decided. The matter will be considered for final consideration in the municipal council on 23 May.

But here too, there will probably be a political majority in favor of Scandic. The position, with Ap and Høgre, precisely supports such a permit.

Prolonged struggle

Scandic Hotels has for a number of years charged for parking and entrance to the Nordkapplatået. According to Klassekampen, the hotel has spent NOK 70 to 80 million annually on this.

In 2020, the hotel chain refused to charge entrance tickets and parking fees on the Nordkapplatået. The reason was that the plateau was too public to count and should therefore be free to visit.

They then took the case to court.

After rejection in the Hålogaland Court of Appeal, they appealed the case to the Supreme Court. In 2022, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case. The judgment from the Court of Appeal thus stood.

Last year, therefore, there was no toll collection on the Nordkapplatået.

Afraid of a price increase

If the municipal council agrees with the chairmanship on 23 May, Scandic Hotels will already be able to charge money for entrance and parking on the Nordkapplatå from 1 June this year.

The permit will then be valid until the summer of 2026.

Kristiansen fears that tourists will notice higher prices.

– In the terms of the licence, it is planned that Scandic Hotels itself will determine the prices for entrance and parking. We then fear that prices may rise sharply, says Kristiansen.

This is rejected by Sirin Figenschou Høyen in Høgre.

– The charges must be run according to the cost principle. And since Scandic Hotels must deliver an annual auditor-approved account, we believe that this will help to ensure that the fees do not become too high.